Chapter Eighteen
Jack returned to the truck and reached for his cellphone.
First, he checked his pocket where it normally resided, it wasn’t there.
Frantic, his pulse started racing. He began searching in earnest. In minutes, he’d tried every place he could think of, even inspected the inside of the vehicle in the front, in the back, on the floors and under the seats. He couldn’t find it anywhere.
Shit! What else could go wrong today? He needed that phone for his business.
It had all the numbers of his employees and various contacts.
Plus, it held all his online banking and…
bloody hell! Sometime later, he’d have to backtrack to all the places he’d been to see if anyone had turned in a lost cellphone.
Feeling lower than the snake slithering across the sidewalk, he carefully stepped around it and got behind the wheel.
Heading to Angie’s place to unload the boxes in the garage, he wished he could start the day over.
Last night, he’d been happier than any man had a right to be.
The world had sparkled with imaginary stardust, and he’d felt ten feet tall.
How and why everything had changed confused the hell outta him. Yet he knew for a fact, life would never be the same.
Entering Angie’s property, he saw Mia’s car in the driveway. Deciding his filthy mood couldn’t be inflicted on anyone else, he drove straight for the garage and backed in close.
While he lifted and stacked each of the boxes, piling them in rows that would make them easily attainable, he asked himself the same question over and over. What the hell had he done for Mia to treat him like he had an infectious skin disease?
And… how could a guy get so manipulated by a friend to agree to a life change he detested? Angie had his number. He should have known she’d use any method open to her to get him to agree to her wishes.
Now that he’d promised, she knew he’d never renege. His future looked about as much fun as a barbecue with thousands of folks invited and him being the only cook.
He looked toward the house and saw Mia with Maisie on the front porch, both laughing and looking delighted with their world. Yearning to be able to join in the fun, he hesitated. Would she turn cold again? Treat him like he had smallpox and her immune system didn’t function?
Then he saw her lift her phone from her pocket and answer an incoming call. Her face lit up, and she giggled like a kid. His temperature rose exponentially. He swung away and all of a sudden, a brilliant idea hit.
That’s it! He could ask her about his phone… if she’d seen it. Maybe she’d know if he’d left it at the restaurant. Hell, he’d use any excuse to be with them.
By the time he approached, she’d hung up on her call. Not looking pleased by his presence, she narrowed her eyes, her smile barely covering the necessity of politeness.
“Hi, Jack.”
“Hi, Mia. Hi, sweet pea.” He winked at Maisie and watched as she continued to carry Angie’s old tomcat around like a blanket too heavy.
“I just realized I’ve lost my cellphone when I went to make a call a few minutes ago. Can you remember if it got left in the restaurant?”
Attitude changing instantly, she appeared concerned. “Gosh, no I don’t, Jack. I’m sorry. That’s a bummer. Don’t know what I’d do without mine. Did you try them? It could have fallen on the floor under the table. Oh, right – no phone. Sorry. What about in the truck?”
“Not there and I searched pretty thoroughly.”
“I’ll call the restaurant for you and see if it’s been turned in.” Mia had the number in seconds and held her phone to her ear while it rang.
He waited, totally uncomfortable with her cool friendliness and untouchable attitude. Maisie dropped the cat who ran for the hills as soon as it sensed freedom and flung herself into his arms. “Did you finish unpacking the twuck, Jack? I saw you there, but Mia said I wasn’t to bother you.”
“Honeybee, you’re never a bother.” He tickled her chin and watched her giggle. Mia lowered her phone and shook her head sadly. “I’m sorry, Jack. No one saw it.”
“Darn. I wish I knew where it could be. I guess I’ll check the hospital next. Thanks for trying. I appreciate it.” He lowered Maisie after one last kiss to her cheek and turned to leave, his face in profile when he stopped. “Mia, I’m here for you if you need anything. I hope you know that?”
Her acceptance left a lot to be desired when all she said in return was, “Yeah, thanks.”