Page 44 of Protect My Heart
‘Yeah!’ I yell back. ‘We’ll be up in a minute!’
Mia turns back toward the house. ‘We should go. Your mom’s probably waiting for us.’
I take Mia’s hand as we walk up the hill. Having her here feels right, just like so many other things feel right with her. I wish I knew why that was, because if I knew, maybe I could replicate this feeling with someone else, someone who lives here that I could actually date.
‘Welcome,’ Mom says to Mia as we go into the house. She gives her a hug, which makes Mia smile.
‘Thank you for having us,’ she says. ‘Whatever you’re making smells delicious.’
‘It’s my famous apple pastries. They just came out of the oven if you’d like to try one.’
‘I’d love to.’
Mom motions Mia to follow her. ‘The kitchen’s right through here.’
I remain behind as Nick comes up to me. ‘How’d it go last night?’
‘With Mia? Fine. Why?’
‘I was just wondering if anything happened,’ he says, lowering his voice.
‘Nothing happened. I told you, she’s just a friend.’
‘You look at her like she’s more than that.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Last night. The way you were looking at her? I’ve seen that look. I’ve had it myself. It’s the look I gave Lyndsay. And now we’re getting married.’
I roll my eyes. ‘I know what you’re trying to do and it’s not going to work.’
‘I’m not trying to do anything. I’m just letting you know I’m not buying the she’s-just-a-friend thing.’
‘I don’t care if you believe me.’ I glance down the hall to make sure Mia’s not coming this way. ‘I mean, yeah, I like her, and I could see us dating if things were different, but they’re not. She’s still moving away.’
‘She’s not leaving until the end of summer. You two could date for a few months and maybe by August she’d decide she wants to stay here.’
I shake my head. ‘Her parents are getting older and need her help. She’s moving back to take care of them. And I respect that. I’d do the same thing. We both put our families first. It’s one of the things I like about her. I’m not going to try to change her mind about that.’
‘So what does that mean? That you’re done seeing each other after today?’
‘I guess. I still don’t even know why she’s here. She hasn’t given me an answer other than saying she wanted to see me again.’
‘Maybe that’s all it is. She wanted to see you one last time before she leaves.’
‘Then why is she here now? Why not wait until the end of summer, before she goes back to Boston?’
‘Why don’t you just ask her this stuff?’
‘I don’t know. I guess because this weekend has been going so great, I don’t want to ruin it.’
‘You’re not going to ruin it by talking.’
‘I could if I don’t like her answer.’ I nod toward the kitchen. ‘We should get in there before Mom tries to talk Mia into marrying me.’
Nick laughs. ‘She was coming on pretty strong last night.’
‘Yeah, and you didn’t save me. What the hell?’
