Chapter 11
speak of the devil
MIA
August
“What are your plans for the day?” Mom asks, sitting across from me at the breakfast bar.
Her green eyes are warm, her smile encouraging.
She’s working hard to rebuild our relationship, trying to show me she’s changed.
That’s the only reason I agreed to live here instead of on campus.
As difficult as our relationship has always been, I can’t help but want to form a real mother-daughter bond.
“It’s Welcome Week, so Chia and I will join Jeff and Tessa on campus for some orientation events.” I shrug, forking fried eggs onto my plate.
“I can’t believe you’re starting college next week.” She covers my hand with hers. “I’m so, so happy you’re home.”
“Yeah, me too.”
With one more pat to my hand, she stands and takes her dishes to the sink.
As I eat, I watch her move around the kitchen.
Her hair isn’t as dark as mine. She’s been highlighting it for as long as I can remember.
Today, it’s in a neat bun, exposing a set of small hoop earrings and a silver necklace with a pearl pendant.
She’s elegant and sophisticated, in a simple white shirt and a black leather skirt.
I’m built like she is, with the same hourglass figure, though my jet-black hair and freckles came straight from Dad. Same with my dark blue eyes.
“How’s your dad doing? Settling in?”
A smile immediately blooms on my lips. “He’s doing great. He’s already in love with Milan. Last time we talked, he spent twenty minutes rambling about all the places he’s already visited. Then, he started listing where he wants to take me when I go stay with him next summer.”
Her smile fades, and my stomach drops along with it. I forcibly swallow my food and clear my throat, preparing for how she’ll respond.
“I didn’t think you’d want to visit him.”
I will the anger curdling in my stomach to calm. “Of course I want to.” I shift my coffee mug then force my gaze back to her. “I miss him. Plus, it’s Italy. Who wouldn’t want to visit?”
“It will be an expensive trip.”
My hackles rise, but I force a smile. “That’s okay. I plan to find a part-time job once I get settled into my school schedule. I’ll be saving up.”
“Looks like you figured everything out already.” She purses her lips. “Can’t say I’m surprised. You never visited while you lived in Phoenix, like you couldn’t care less about me, yet you’ve only been apart from your dear daddy for a couple of weeks, and you’re already planning a trip. Lovely.”
Anger simmers in my blood. “I’ve apologized for not visiting a thousand times. Bringing it up constantly won’t change the past. Manipulation isn’t really my thing, I’m sorry.”
Her eyes widen. “I wasn’t—”
I stand and pick up my plate. “I love you, Mom, really, but I love Dad too. That’s how it always will be.”
“Mia,” she says, suddenly contrite. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” I put my plate in the dishwasher and turn to face her. “He never says a bad word about you, but you can’t seem to help yourself every time we’re together. It’s so disheartening.”
Lips twisted, she lowers her gaze to her feet. Silence hangs between us, making my stomach clench, but I won’t give in. I stood up for myself, and I’ll hold my ground. With a sigh, I leave the kitchen. It’s time to get ready anyway.
Chiara stands with her back pressed to her small convertible, typing furiously on her phone. She looks adorable in her blue tee, light blue jeans, and white sneakers, especially with her hair styled in two thick braids.
When I step in front of her, she looks up, like she just realized I’m here. “Merda.” She shakes her head, slipping her phone into her purse. “You scared me.”
“If you hadn’t been busy arguing over text, you would’ve noticed me.”
She frowns. “I wasn’t arguing.”
“No?”
“No. I was defending my choices. Mama and Papa don’t approve of my plans for Welcome Week. They think that since I’m not working, I should be spending more time with them.”
“Sorry.” I give her a quick hug. “Speaking of work, I was thinking of applying at Luigi’s. Maybe serving, but not until after fall semester. Think you could put in a good word for me?”
“Do you think that’s a good idea? Juggling school and work?”
“I’m good at managing my time. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Chia steps into me, one brow arched. “What’s going on? How come you haven’t mentioned this before?”
I rub my forehead. “I told Mom I wanted to spend next summer in Italy, and she got upset. Made it clear I’ll have to pay for it myself, so I need to start saving up.”
“Ugh, that sucks. She was so excited about you moving home, I figured she’d treat you better.”
I sigh, feeling weighed down. “She’s been better, but not when it comes to my dad. It pisses me off too. He has so much respect for her while she acts like he kidnapped me and kept me in Phoenix against my will.”
“Yikes.” She grasps my hand. “I’m always here for you. Remember that. And when you’re ready to apply to Luigi’s, let me know. I’ll hook you up.”
“Thank you so much, Chia.”
“Should we go?” She nods at the student center across the parking lot. “Orientation check-in starts there.”
“How was your first night on campus?” I ask after orientation.
Jeff smiles, his dark green eyes glimmering. “It was awesome. Our roommates haven’t moved in yet, so we had our rooms to ourselves.”
“I’m kinda jealous,” Chia says, picking up her quesadilla. All day, she’s been trying her best to dislike Jeff, but he’s a genuinely nice guy, and I can tell he’s winning her over.
“Why?” Tessa asks as she stabs at her salad.
Chiara, who’s just taken a huge bite, shrugs.
I answer for her. “I think it’s because you’ll be living on campus, in the middle of all the fun, while we’ll be at home with our parents.”
Chiara takes a sip of her drink. “What she said.”
“You’re always welcome to hang out with us on campus.” Jeff runs a hand through his dark brown hair. “Both of you.”
“Yeah,” Tessa says to Chiara. “And since you and Mia are close, you’re stuck with us.”
Chiara breaks into a tender smile. “You were right,” she says to me. “I already love them.” She points her finger at Jeff. “Though I might still be salty from time to time. You did steal my best friend, after all.”
“Duly noted.” Winking, he drapes an arm across Tessa’s shoulder.
She beams up at him, and he runs his knuckles over her cheek, brushing her blonde hair back from her face. Maybe I should feel like a third wheel when I’m with them, but instead, there’s only contentment. I’m so fucking happy for them.
What Jeff and Tessa have is a forever type of thing, the kind of love you only read about in romance novels or see on TV.
Every time I’m with them, it gives me hope that one day, I’ll find my person too.
“What are our plans for tomorrow?” Jeff asks, ripping me out of my thoughts. “We were thinking about exploring Monterey. Want to come with us? Show us around?”
“How about we take a little trip around town then head to my place for dinner?” I ask.
“Sounds like a solid plan,” Jeff says. “I’ve met your mom and stepdad and Matt already, but will I finally get to meet the mysterious stepbrother?” He grins devilishly, setting his elbows on the table. “You never talk about him. What’s he like?”
“Yeah, what should we expect?” Tessa straightens in her chair.
Chiara chuckles. “Oh, Dominic is—”
The bell over the door chimes, and my best friend’s eyes dance.
“Speak of the devil.”
On instinct, I look over my shoulder, and when Dominic steps into the diner, my breath hitches. It’s becoming my go-to reaction to his presence.
Dammit.
His clothes only add to his appeal. His black jeans hang low on his hips, and his white Nikes and white T-shirt are crisp, clean.
The fabric of his tee emphasizes the black ink curling up his entire arm.
He keeps his blond hair shorter than he did when we were kids, in a buzz cut now, and the stubble on his jaw only makes him look more handsome.
If the way my body has consistently reacted to him since I came home is any indication, being in close proximity to Dominic Watson is bad for me.
And for some reason, I always seem to find myself in his company.
His hazel eyes meet mine. Then, he surveys the people around me, his gaze lingering on Jeff. I expect him to come over, to at least say hello, but he only nods and proceeds to the table in the farthest corner, completely out of my sight.
Only then do I realize he’s not alone.
A tall, lean guy with dark brown hair follows him to the booth. He has a neat beard and an eagle tattooed on his neck. When he catches me watching him, he smirks.
Rather than shy away, I lift my chin and openly hold his gaze.
“Is that him?” Jeff asks, craning his neck so he can look behind us.
“Yeah, it’s him,” Chiara confirms. “And that’s Miles. He works with Dominic.”
Jeff peers at me, scratching his cheek. “Now I see why you went for Nolan.”
“Unbelievable.” I shake my head. Nolan is Jeff’s brother. “I’m never going to live that down, am I? Even though you told me it was okay before it happened.”
He shrugs, his lips twitching. “You know I love you—and that I love taunting you.”
“How long did you two date?” The moment the words are out, Chia claps her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry, Tessa.”
Head thrown back, my blonde friend laughs. “You’re fine. Their history doesn’t bother me. They never hid it.”
“We dated for three months,” Jeff says. “I think?”
I nod.
“We got along well,” he continues, “but it didn’t take long for us to realize we didn’t have chemistry.”
Chia looks from me to him and back again. “Did you sleep with his brother before or after you dated?”
I sigh and rest my chin in my hand. “We need to work on your manners. It was after Jeff and Tessa started dating, so a year and a half after we broke up, I guess, and only after I talked to Jeff.”
“My brother brought it up to me too. He didn’t want to hurt my feelings. So it was all good, and no, I don’t think it’s weird.”
“Er, I don’t know. You’re like a Gossip Girl spinoff, where everyone sleeps with everyone.”
I shake my head, laughing quietly, but when the bell over the door dings again and a woman walks in, all my humor dries up.
Her dark green dress hugs her body like a second skin, highlighting her round hips and big breasts. Her red hair, curly today, streams down her bare shoulders. The gold sandals that slap gently against the tile floor complete her outfit perfectly.
It’s Remi, and she’s heading straight for Dominic.
My heart sinks. Looks like my question the other night was valid. He might say she’s his ex, but the girl definitely doesn’t agree.
A tale as old as time.
Considering I can’t discreetly watch her approach Dominic, I sit up straighter, focusing on my friends.