35. Mia
Mia
Week Thirty-eight: Maternity leave is the bane of my existence.
No one should be surprised that I’m not a huge fan of maternity leave.
Wren did take the job and she’s been great, but I just can’t seem to stay still.
Our house is in pristine condition, and it’s driving me nuts.
I nearly told our housekeepers to take the month off because I have next to nothing to nest.
Foster’s nursery is set up just how I wanted it, and while Adam can manage to get me to sleep in, the moment he leaves for the stadium, I’m up and ready to go.
I am indeed driving everyone a little crazy at Winedown, but considering I’m the boss, they’re all dealing with it. Except Wren, she’s all but banned me from my office. I don’t think she anticipated that I would proceed to start bartending, but here we are.
I place a lavender lemonade down on the bar in front of Harry. “Okay, I know I peer-pressured you into trying this, but if you don’t like it, I’ll get you a regular one.”
He laughs with a shake of his head. “Mia, I mean this with so much respect and love, but when are you going on maternity leave?”
I scoff, holding a hand over my heart. “Harry, I’m surprised by you. What are you trying to say?”
“Do you want me to be honest?”
“No, of course not.” I run a loving hand over my stomach.
“Truth be told, I’ve already started it.
I have a girl coming in to help, but I’ve been going a little stir crazy at home.
I just needed to get out, see this place, have a regular be passive-aggressively rude to spark something in me until I leave to yell at the umpires at Adam’s game. ”
“Happy to oblige.” Harry tips his head toward me. “Think the Blues will come out on top this game? It’s the last one, if they win, then we’re headed to the World Series.”
The thought alone has my stomach turning in knots.
“Listen, I couldn’t tell anyone this, but part of me is hoping not. We lucked out with them being the top seed so he could do these playoff games here, but I’m terrified I’ll go into labor in the middle of the final game of the World Series.”
“Well, if it’s game six or seven, we should still have the home field advantage.”
“I’d rather have the two-ish weeks leading up to the birth of our daughter spent at home.”
“Because clearly you love being at home with nothing to do,” Harry quips.
My mouth gapes for a moment. “Being home alone with nothing to do is entirely different than being at home with my husband.”
“Right, no, I get it. They’ve had a hell of a season. Back-to-back, might I add. Who knows, maybe the game’s a good distraction for you.” Harry shrugs and picks up his drink. “Am I being passive-aggressive enough for your liking?”
My laugh seems to get Foster moving, and I can’t help but put my hand on my stomach when she does. “You’re doing great. Now, how do you like the drink?’
“It’s good, and hey, while you’re here, I want to run something by you.”
“Yeah, of course. Do you want to take it to my office or—” My question is cut short because the devil sits down at the bar.
What is he doing here? My gut told me the baby shower wouldn’t be the last time I saw Harrison Reyer, but Adam hasn’t been worried, so I didn’t want to push it.
Adam’s dad lets out a low whistle. “So, this is your place. Maybe you turning down my offers for buying this business was a blessing in disguise.”
A chill runs through my body. That finance company was his? I should’ve had Wren give more details on that. But that was weeks ago… How long has he been keeping tabs on me and Adam, and us not knowing?
“I’d give you a speech on my right to not serve you, but I don’t imagine you’re here for my lunch specials. So, why don’t you go ahead and get it over with.”
Harrison points his finger at me with this calculated smirk. “I admire your spark, Mia. Why don’t I take you up on that offer to talk in your office?”
“That wasn’t extended to you.” I hold my chin high. There aren’t exactly “slow” days in downtown Boston, but the crowd in Winedown is manageable. The only person at this end of the bar is Harry, and frankly I feel like I need a witness when it comes to Harrison Reyer. “Say what you came to say.”
It’s brief but I see the clinch in his jaw and his eye twitch.
It clicks right then that I absolutely infuriate this man.
There’s leverage in playing the part of the ditzy one with the sleazy salesman.
There’s a tactic in being the bitch with the vendors who feel the need to rub it in my face when they do their job correctly.
But in every angle I play, I never let the other person believe they intimidate me, and that’s what this asshole feeds off.
“You’re a smart girl, Mia. To be honest, when I was made aware that my son decided to take the last name of the girl he impregnated then married, I expected to find some gold digger looking for a cozy setup.
But now I’m curious if that’s what my son was looking for in you.
You’ve been smart with your money. Sure, your dad taught you the ropes, but there’s something a little more to it.
I can’t say I’ve seen a woman your age making the business decisions you do.
If it weren’t for all the charity bullshit you spend money on, you’d be one of the youngest billionaires I’ve ever met. ”
“You didn’t come here to congratulate me on my accomplishments. I know my worth, both net and capabilities. Cut to the point.”
This time his jaw clenches so tight that a vein pops up on his forehead. “The point is I no longer find my son to be a complete and utter disappointment. You’ve added value back to him, congratulations.”
Keep your cool, Mia. He’s testing you. Don’t lose the advantage you already have.
“Thanks for the pat on the back. You can leave now.”
He holds up a finger. “I’m not done. You’re going to come work for me now. I’ve already purchased a building here to start a new branch of the Reyer Group, and you’ll be on my team.”
I laugh. “That’s not happening.”
“Oh, but it is. Did you happen to know that the Blues’ owner is thinking of selling?
I had some of my people do some digging over the past week and I threw my hat in the ring this morning.
” Harrison leans against the bar top. “Now, tell me, do you think Beckham Daines would prefer San Francisco or Phoenix? Before you answer, keep in mind that apparently Seattle has been trying to make a deal for Dex Larsen since he’s playing again.
None of these have been entertained, but that will change.
If you’re not getting the full picture yet, I’ll keep going.
Calliope fired, Tripp Pierce traded to I don’t care where, and maybe if I’m feeling fucking gracious, I’ll let you pick where I trade Adam. ”
I’m trying to take deep breaths, but my blood is boiling. “Call me crazy but something tells me you’re not a gracious man.”
“I knew you were a quick learner. So, here’s how this is going to go. I’m going to purchase the Blues and this bar. You will start working for me and everyone else will keep their jobs.”
My eyes narrow. “Does this make you feel good? Talking to a pregnant woman like this? You can be honest—do you feel like a man now?”
“I’d be very careful, Mia. I get you’re a good chess player in this business.
That part is clear, but I’m better. By the time you give birth, I want to see Adam’s name fucking changed back as a sign of good faith on our deal, or the moment the trades open back up I’m signing four different contracts. ”
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
I’m so angry that I’ve got Braxton Hick contractions starting up. Hell, I need him to leave so I can get my blood pressure down or I’m going to go into labor.
Harrison stands up from his stool with a smug grin. “Oh, and change my grandchild’s name. Pick a name from the Reyer family. I trust you know how to research and figure it out.”
I bite my inner cheek till the metallic taste fills my mouth. I hate him. With every step he takes toward the exit, I imagine an anvil falling randomly out of the sky like the fucking cartoons.
“You’re about to bend that metal, Mia.” Harry’s voice cuts through my fury, but I don’t fully let it register until Harrison walks out the door.
I let go of the ice box and flex my hands. I hadn’t realized I had such a grip on it. I inhale deep through my nose and out my mouth the best I can, but another small contraction comes, and I can’t keep the pain off my face.
“Mia, are you okay?”
“No, not really. I need to sit down and drink some water.”
Harry gets up from his seat and steps back behind the bar. “Take my hand—Christ, well, now I know how the metal felt.”
“Sorry,” I mumble and try to relax my grip as he takes me to one of the tables.
“I’ll be back with a water.”
All I can manage is a nod. I get a small beat of relief when Foster starts kicking my stomach, and I count them both for my sanity and per the doctor’s recommendation. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Alright, that’s got to be a good sign, or…well, a normal one at least.
Harry places a pint glass full of water in front of me. “It was the first cup I found.”
“I’ll take it.” I start with small sips in between what I hope are calming breaths. I can’t say it’s helping entirely—I’ve never felt such unbridled rage before.
Harry takes the seat across from me. “You understand I won’t sell to him, right?”
I blink. “What?”
“I won’t sell the Blues to him. I will, however, sell them to you.”
My jaw drops. “I—hold on.” I snap my mouth shut and let my brain replay everything that just happened. “Is this, like, pregnancy brain? What are you talking about right now? I’m not understanding.”
Harry raises an eyebrow. “You do realize I own the Boston Blues, correct?”
“Does it seem like I know that?”
Harry falls back with a laugh. “That asshole didn’t realize it was me either. I’m not sure if I should be offended, but I highly doubt he personally looked me up. You, however, surprise me. How did you think I knew Adam?”