Page 36 of Protect My Heart
What’s going on here? They’re all acting like Mia and I are a couple when we clearly are not. I’ve told my brothers more than once that I’m not going to date someone who doesn’t live in the area. They know Mia is moving away, so why is Sawyertalking like she’s going to be spending time here and going to my parents’ house? And why is Mom insisting on having Mia over for family breakfast? Are they really that desperate for me to have a girlfriend that they’ll push me to date a girl who’s leaving in a few months?
‘It’s getting late,’ I say to Mia. ‘You want to head out?’
‘Um, okay.’ She seems surprised that I want to leave, but she doesn’t know my family. If we stay any longer, they’ll have us engaged by the end of the night.
I go around the table and help her down from the barstool.
‘It was really nice meeting all of you,’ she says to my family.
Dad smiles at her. ‘We’ll see you bright and early in the morning. Be sure to bring your appetite. Martha really puts out a spread when we have company.’
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
‘See you guys tomorrow,’ I say, taking Mia’s arm and directing her away from the table.
We make our way outside and head to the truck.
‘Sorry about that,’ I say.
‘About what?’
‘My family. I love them, but they can be a little much.’
‘I didn’t think so. They seem like very nice people.’
‘They are, but they’re also meddling.’
She laughs. ‘They just want you to be happy.’
‘Iamhappy. I have a great job. Great apartment. Great friends.’ I stop at the truck and open her door. ‘The only thing missing is a wife and kids, but if it doesn’t happen, I’m okay with that, and my family should be too.’
‘You’d really be okay not having a family of your own?’
‘It’s not what I want, but I’ve accepted it may not happen. If I can’t find the right girl, I may just end up single.’
‘But the night of the wedding, you talked about how much you wanted kids.’
‘Yeah, well, I kind of need a girl for that.’
‘Jason, I—’ She stops and grabs hold of the truck door.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes.’ She takes a breath. ‘I just got dizzy for a moment. I think I need to sit down.’
‘Let me help.’ I take her arm and help her into the truck.
As we’re driving back to my apartment, she takes several deep breaths.
‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ I ask.
She nods. ‘I’m just tired. I’ll be fine.’
We get to my building and I help her out of the truck, then take her hand as we walk to the door. Maybe I shouldn’t hold her hand, but I don’t want her getting dizzy again and falling down. And I like holding her hand. It’s small and soft and fits perfectly in mine.
As we take the elevator up to my floor, I don’t let go of her hand. She doesn’t attempt to pull away so I keep hold of it as we walk down the hall to my apartment. I finally let her go as we go inside.
‘Do you want something to drink?’ I ask.
