Page 93 of Most Likely to Deny Love

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Given the events of this afternoon, I think it’s best that Mia has some time to process everything.”

“She told you?” Was that a little panic creeping in?

“She did.”

“I’m sure you can understand this is a difficult family situation. Mia’s just a bit emotional right now, and we’re only trying to help her.” First panic and now frustration. And maybe a little confusion.

“By telling her she needs to lose weight to be in her sister’s wedding?” I kept my voice level, though my jaw clenched.

“You misunderstand.” Helen’s voice took on a wounded quality. “We all want what’s best for Mia. The wedding photos are forever, and we just want her to look her best. Surely you can understand that? We’re only thinking of her.”

Mia’s eyes clouded with doubt, and I could see Helen’s manipulation beginning to work its familiar magic. Not today.

“What’s best for Mia?” I repeated, letting a hint of ice creep into my tone. “Is it best for her to spend months being told she’s not good enough? To have her own family making her feel like she needs to change who she is?”

“Now that’s not fair,” Helen protested. “We love Mia. We’re just trying to help her be the best version of herself. I’m sure you want that for her too.”

“The best version of herself is exactly who she is right now.” I held Mia’s gaze as I continued. “And she’s made her decision about the wedding. It’s final.”

“Jack, I understand you’re trying to be supportive, but this is really a family matter?—”

“Let me be clear, Helen,” I cut her off. “I’m the man who respects your daughter exactly as she is. The one who sees her strength, her intelligence, her beauty, without conditions or qualifications. And right now, I’m the one making sure she gets the space she needs from people who don’t seem capable of offering her the same basic respect.”

Helen’s voice hardened slightly. “You don’t know anything about our family?—”

“I know enough.” I kept my voice level despite the anger simmering beneath the surface.

“Now listen?—”

“No, you listen. Mia’s staying with me this weekend. Her phone will be turned off. On Monday, if she chooses to speak with you, that’s her decision. Until then, you and everyone else will give her space.”

“You can’t just?—”

“I can, and I am. Goodbye, Helen.” I ended the call before she could respond, then immediately turned the phone off completely.

Mia stared at me, her expression a complicated mix of shock, gratitude, and something else I couldn’t quite name. She shook her head slowly, a smile breaking through the tears that had finally spilled over. She slid off the stool and walked around the counter, right into my arms. I wrapped her in a tight hug, one hand cradling the back of her head as she pressed her face against my chest. “No one’s ever stood up for me like that.”

“For the record, I meant every word.” I murmured into her hair

She melted against me, her arms winding around my waist as we stood there in the middle of my kitchen. The scent of burning eggs finally registered, and I glanced over to see smoke rising from the neglected pan.

“Shit,” I muttered, reluctantly loosening my hold on Mia to deal with the mess. I dumped the blackened disaster straight into the trash and dropped the smoking pan into the sink with a clatter, turning back to her with a wry smile. “So much for that idea. How about we get out of here instead? We could drive down to that café by the lake, get some fresh air. Or I can order something in if you’d rather stay.”

Mia wiped at her eyes, looking lighter somehow, as if a weight had been lifted. “The lake sounds perfect, actually. I could use some space to breathe.”

I reached for her hand, interlacing our fingers. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

MIA

One more strike and I was out, I was sure of it. First, bailing on Megan’s wedding, now skipping out of town for Thanksgiving. If I didn’t attend Christmas this year, I was pretty sure I’d no longer be allowed to call myself a Harris. Having a protector certainly came with its perks, though. The calls, messages and flying monkeys had all stopped the day Jack took my phone from me and spoke to my Mom. Ever since, there had only been a few polite texts from her, and nothing from Megan.

Now here I was, in the back of a private car with Jack, winding our way through the Colorado mountains from the airport. I wasn’t really sure what was waiting for us at the Sullivan family gathering, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to be good. The further we drove into the mountains, the quieter Jack became. He’d been withdrawing mile by mile, his frown deepening, his jaw clenched tight enough to crack walnuts. I’d never seen him like this. Even during the most stressful work crises, he’d always been cool and calm.

But this? This was different. And I had no clue what to do about it. I twisted the sapphire ring on my finger, gazing out the window at the gorgeous scenery around us. Feeling almostoverwhelmed by the tension that rolled off Jack in waves, I was desperate to break the strained silence.

“Stunning scenery, isn’t it?” Well, that was fucking lame.

“Yeah, it’s great.”

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