Page 23 of Never and Always
But nothing became of it. It was that same year that she stopped writing to him and just cut ties. Claire could advocate for the obsession that took over during that time. If Mia wasn’t looking out for a letter in the mail, she was listening out for a phone call from him. That behavior went on for months until she had to take herself in hand and come to terms with the fact that Nick just wasn’t interested inher.
It hurt, it hurt a lot, but it was something that she had toaccept.
“Claire, you know this is a no-go area for me that I’d rather not think about during this time. I feel bad enough about myself, so I’m just going to stick with trying to sort my life out.” That was the best answer she couldgive.
Claire gave her that sympathetic look again. “Awww honey. Don’t worry, things will work out. I know they will. Doesn’t mean you have to keep your eyes closed to a gorgeous man while you wait.” Shelaughed.
Mia shook her head and was about to say something when there was a knock at the door. She knew it was Nick because it was clear Glenn was keeping hisdistance.
“It’s open,” she calledout.
Nick pushed the door open and stuck his headin.
“I’m going to the store. Do you girls want anything?” he asked with that dazzling smile that made Mia’s whole bodymelt.
“I’m fine,” Claire cooed and looked over to Mia with a conspiratorysmile.
“I’m fine, too,” Mia told him, trying to contain the butterflies in herstomach.
“Alright. Movie later, babe? We can watch something from the crazy collection.” There was the smile again, and it was more effective because he was looking directly ather.
While she may have been depressed from all that was happening, she hadn’t lost her mind and turned stupid enough to turn down theoffer.
“I’d love that,” she answered, smiling back and thinking of later. It was good to see that the annoyance she’d seen in him earlier hadfaded.
“Cool, I’ll grab popcorn. See you around,Claire.”
Claire raised her hand in mocksalute.
Nick laughed at that and left them. Mia knew even before she looked at Claire that she would be giving her some kind of I-told-you-he-liked-youlook.
And shewas.
“You know we’re like this all the time,” Miaoffered.
“I never said anything,babe.” She burst out laughing and Mia threw a cushion ather.
As annoying as she was, she was funny, and the lighthearted break from the stress was most welcoming to her tiredmind.
