Page 29 of Prove Me Wrong
“She was still a little upset, but that’s understandable since you’re her dad after all,” Mia admits. She stands, taking her plate to the sink that has dishes stacked up already. “But I’m happy that I’m doing as well as you thought.”
Mia turns on the tap to fill the sink, and I jump up out of my seat. “You don’t have to do those. You have done so much for me already.”
“I don’t mind.” Her voice carries as she keeps her back to me.
I shake my head and turn around, leaning against the bench stiffly. “Thank you for staying for dinner, Grey.” My voice cracks a little on the words, my body sparking all over with nerves. I clear my throat. “I really enjoyed spending more time with you.”
Chin lifting to peer up at me, heat builds in my chest, like it’s lit with flames. “Yeah, me too, thirty-four.”
I chuckle lightly, adoring the new name she has selected for me.
Mia smiles pleasantly before grabbing her things off the bench. “I’ll see you both next Tuesday, then.”
Mia turns to leave when I blurt out, “Or before. If I see you before. Outside.” The words tumble out incoherently, and I mentally smack my forehead. That smooth, suave guy is definitely gone. I can’t even form a proper sentence.
Looking over her shoulder, a smile peeks out on her lips. It makes me grin, showing off my dimples.
“Yeah, you’ll probably see me before then,” she murmurs, bending to kiss Jade’s forehead. “I’ll see you soon, little lady.” My chest warms at her name for my baby girl.
Grey eyes collide with mine again, and I know I’m going to feel the void when she walks through the door.
“Bye, thirty-four,” she utters before disappearing, leaving me breathing heavily and feeling the cold creep up my skin once more at her absence.
Chapter Eleven
MIA
“Mum asked about you again today,” Sinnett says as I pour myself a cup of instant coffee. It’s nowhere near as good as a proper iced latte, but it’ll do for this early on a Saturday.
Groaning loudly, I grab my mug and walk out onto the back porch, sinking down into the cushioned couch Gran has overlooking the backyard. Morning sunlight streams down in sheets of golden light, brightening up the space. I sit with my phone in one hand and my coffee in the other.
“What about this time? If I am still alive? If I have considered going back to study Law, because that seems to be the only career that I’m allowed to have,” I mumble angrily.
He scoffs into the speaker, and I smile.
At least Sinnett is on my side of this whole argument.
“No, she was asking about you in BRG.”
“Barrenridge is not hard to say!” I shout into the phone.
Sinnett just gives a low chuckle. “Whatever, twinkle fingers.”
I groan. “So, it wasn’t about her disappointment in me?”
“Surprisingly no. Maybe she has finally accepted that you won’t be taking over her business when she retires.”
“She should have known that when I tested positive for dyslexia in eighth grade, Sin. Seriously, how am I to be a professional when I can’t even read out loud? Half of her job is reading reports.”
He’s silent for a moment, so I take a sip of my mediocre drink. Seriously, it tastes like milky dirt at best.
“I think she’s worried,” Sinnett grunts out.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I mutter softly.
Sinnett hums in agreement. “Look, I know everything with Ryan happened a while ago, but don’t you think you should just talk with her? Maybe telling her everything will help? She's your mum, after all. She should know what happened to you, Mia. And then you won’t be living with all this guilt from screening her calls, and honestly, I’m getting tired of them asking about you.”
I snort bitterly. “Sorry for being such a nuisance for you.”
