35. Mia
35
MIA
Even a week after everything happened with Theo, I can still feel the tension in my muscles from our confrontation. I replay our conversation, wondering if I was too harsh. But the truth is that I had to be honest. I couldn’t pretend that I wasn’t upset, that I didn’t feel betrayed.
We are sitting at what is quickly becoming our usual table at Leo’s Tiki Bar. Audrey, our cocktail waitress, approaches us with a tray of delicious-looking drinks.
Once Aurora has taken hers from the tray, she lifts it up in a salute. “I say we need to cheers to something.”
“Geez, our lives suck right now. What can we even cheers to?” Stella asks. She inspects her drink carefully like even her drink isn’t up to par.
“We can always find something positive,” Zoey decides.
“I’ve got some good news,” Aurora says. “I’ve been doing a little spying, and it looks like the altered plans have been filed with the county and approved.”
We all look up, and her announcement hits me hardest of all, like a little jolt. “What? Say that again, Aurora.”
“I said it looks like something you yelled at him must have worked because Theo refiled the adjusted plans.”
“Yelled? I wasn’t yelling.”
Madison laughs. “Mia, we could hear you from your house. There was definitely some yelling going on.”
I feel my cheeks flushing and decide to drink up to avoid more attention on myself. I raise my glass toward Aurora’s. “Cheers to that then.”
Everyone else joins in, and we take sips of our drinks. After my sip, I scan the bar area. Ever since we came here and Theo was here too, I keep thinking he might decide to show up. It’s clearly a popular place because every seat on the pier is taken. People are taking to-go cups and leaning against the railings of the pier.
“So, let’s talk about what this means,” Zoey suggests.
“It means he likes getting laid by Mia, so he did—” Stella starts before Madison smacks her arm. “Ow!”
“Stop that! Mia is really going through this. You can’t just make jokes,” Madison scolds.
I feel everyone’s attention turn back to me. “I feel bad for yelling at him.”
“I thought you just said you didn’t yell,” Stella points out.
“Okay, I raised my voice. But the truth is that I believe everything I said. I don’t feel like I can trust him. Sure, he refiled the revised plans, but does that really mean anything? He didn’t tell me Steve was pressuring him. And that’s not going to stop. If his partner wants something badly enough, then why would he just give up.”
“Let’s give Theo some grace. Maybe he wanted to tell you but just didn’t know how,” Zoey’s voice of reason cuts in again.
“Words are usually a good start,” Stella interjects.
We all give her disapproving looks, but she’s giggling at her own sarcasm.
“What? It’s true. I mean. People make such a big deal out of nothing. If he had just told you that Steve was being pushy, would you have trusted him?”
Everyone swivels back to me. “I can’t say 100% but more, yes.”
“I bet he’s learned his lesson,” Madison adds.
“Hold on. Just let Mia speak,” Aurora demands. “You clearly aren’t over this. The plans have been refiled, but …”
I shake my head, still feeling the sting of betrayal. “He should have trusted me. We’re supposed to be a team. I mean, I thought we were building a real relationship.”
Aurora sets her brandy down and looks at me intently. “Mia, you have every right to be upset. But maybe there’s more to this. Have you considered that he might have been trying to protect you?”
Madison nods vigorously. “Yeah, like a misguided knight in shining armor. He probably thought he was doing the right thing.”
I sigh, rubbing my temples. “But why couldn’t he just be honest with me? Why all the secrets? I mean, I’ve been honest from the get-go.”
Aurora smiles. “But we’re women, and even though men disagree, we’re easy to understand. They aren’t.”
There are hearty “amens” from all around the table.
“Have you and Theo talked this week?” Zoey asks.
I shake my head, and giving the answer pains me. I thought nothing would be able to break us apart, but here we are…fractured beyond repair. “Nothing. No messages. No calls. No…nothing. Sure, he’s refiled the plans, but that’s nothing. Maybe he did it because he knew I wouldn’t sell, not because he wants to try to fix anything with me. After all, he knows my phone number, and he hasn’t made use of it.”
“Have you seen him working on the property?” Madison asks.
“A couple of times. But…it was like he didn’t see me.”
Zoey rubs my arm. “That hurts. I’m sorry. You may just have to accept that he wasn’t mature enough for a relationship with you.”
Aurora stands up, leaning over our table. “I did some digging, Mia, and I have something else to tell you. Theo made a new deal with his business partner, Steve. He bought out Steve’s share of the project. The property is under his name only now.”
I blink in surprise. “What? When did this happen?”
“Geez, if I ever need a private investigator, I’m hiring you,” Stella comments.
“Recently. And I don’t know how he did it because the price tag on the property alone is more than our places all put together are probably worth.”
“He bought him out,” I echo.
Zoey’s eyes widen. “Wow, that’s...that’s huge.”
Madison whistles low. “Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.”
I feel a wave of guilt wash over me. Theo did all of this. I want to think it’s for me. I want to think it’s because he’s as tired of his business partner harassing me as I am of him talking about me selling my property. There’s just one question that is still weighing on me. “Why didn’t he tell me?”
“Maybe he was scared of losing you. Maybe he thought you’d be safer if you didn’t know the details,” Zoey suggests.
Aurora nods. “It’s possible. He might have thought he was sparing you the stress. But he should have said something. Ignoring you all week isn’t acceptable.”
“I don’t know about you guys, but it sounds like he’s been pretty busy. He hasn’t had the chance to emotionally face having a conversation with you if he’s been busy putting the property in his name,” Madison suggests.
I look around at my friends, their supportive faces, and I feel a pang of regret. I’m over here wallowing in my own pain, and I haven’t even thought about how Theo feels. Maybe he feels really guilty, so guilty that he doesn’t even want to face me. Maybe I made him feel like he doesn’t even stand a chance with me so what’s the point of even trying.
“You were hurt. You’ve had a chance to process it, though. What do you do now?”
“Now you know the bigger picture. You know more about what’s going on. Are you open to a conversation with him?” Zoey prompts.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. “I need to talk to him. I need to understand his perspective. You are alright. I have to stop hating him and see what he’s been doing. I want to hear it from him.”
Aurora gives me a reassuring smile. “That sounds like a good plan. Communication is key.”
Zoey grins. “And who knows? Maybe you’ll come out of this even stronger.”
“Well, I can’t come out of it any weaker. I’ve already hit rock bottom…several times.” I attempt some humor even though I’m not feeling it.
Madison bounces on the balls of her feet. “You got this, Mia. Just be honest with him, and I’m sure he’ll do the same.”
I nod, feeling a sense of resolve settle over me. “You’re right. I need to reach out to him and talk things through.”
“You’ll tell us when you do, right?” Madison asks. “You won’t leave us hanging?”
But I don’t have to answer. The waitress saves me by coming over to check if we need more drinks. The conversation changes to some drama at Aurora’s job, and we listen in rapt attention as she describes her crazy co-worker. It’s a good distraction from the fact that I’ve been avoiding Theo for so long.
I walk back to my house, thinking through everything they said. If they’re right, then Theo has been doing everything in his power to save my property and my relationship with him. But if he’s really been doing it for me, then why hasn’t he reached out?
I pick up my phone, staring at Theo’s contact information. My thumb hovers over the call button, but I hesitate. I want to reach out, to tell him I understand now, but I’m not ready yet. I need to process my own feelings first, to sort through what I’m feeling.
The next day, I spend some time working on the bed and breakfast. It’s almost finished, and the truth is I don’t know if I’m ready for that. Hosting guests will be a different experience, but a tiny part of me is scared that no one will come. I’ll have made this big fuss over keeping the property for nothing.
I’m distracted from my heavy thoughts when Madison drops by. She has a batch of homemade cookies, and I couldn’t imagine anything better at the moment. “Thought you might need a pick-me-up,” she says with a smile.
I laugh, grateful for her thoughtfulness. “Thanks, Madison. I could use one.”
We sit on the porch, enjoying the cookies and the warm sunshine. “Have you thought about what you’re going to say to Theo?” Madison asks.
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I want to apologize for my reaction and tell him I understand why he did what he did. I want to hear his side of the story. I mean, it’s good to hear it from Aurora, but I want to know from him what he did and why. But I haven’t gotten up the nerve to talk to him yet.”
Madison nods. “Just be honest with him, Mia. He’ll appreciate that.”
“I hope so. I don’t want to lose him, but I feel like I already have.”
She reaches out and squeezes my hand. “You won’t. Theo cares about you. He’s shown that in more ways than one. Just give him a chance to explain.”
I take another cookie and think about what Madison said. I do tend to get heated and not listen when I’m upset. I have to let go of that and be a mature woman who can listen to explanations.
That night, I sit by the window of my bedroom, looking out at the stars. I think about the future, about the bed and breakfast, and about Theo. I want to build a life here, surrounded by the people I love. And I want Theo to be a part of that life.
I pick up my phone and draft a message to Theo. I keep it simple, just asking if we can talk. I don’t send it yet, but it feels good to have the words written out, ready for when I’m ready.
Maybe I’ll send them tomorrow.