21. Mia
Chapter 21
Mia
B rinna came and went like a tornado and, just like the aftermath of those storms that you see on television, she was overwhelming.
“Are you okay? You look pale,” Ian asks as he approaches me.
I only nod.
“It’s a lot, isn’t it?”
I nod again.
“Want to talk about it? You know, with words and such?” His smile breaks the tension I’m feeling.
“Yeah. I suppose we should at least have our stories straight, huh? And I don’t know much about you except you like Italian and Thai food, so I suppose we should know more about each other.”
Now he’s the one only nodding.
“I’ll start. Do you need to write any of this down?”
He shakes his head and takes the seat on the couch Brinna was just sitting on.
“Okay, well. As you may have already read, I grew up in foster care. My parents were drug addicts and the only adult thing they did was put me in foster care. I have no idea why they didn’t want me, but I’m thankful, from what little information I do know about them, that they had. Who knows where I’d be now if they had kept me.”
I take a deep breath and wait to see if Ian will ask any questions, but he stays silent, so I continue. “I did well in school and graduated high school, but my dream has always been to work with brides and bridal dresses, so I never went to college. Besides, once I turned eighteen, my foster parents kicked me out since I wasn’t earning my keep, so college really took a backseat to shelter and food.”
“How long have you known you wanted to own your own bridal shop?”
I smile as I look off into space. “For as long as I can remember. I saw a bride on television, not sure what it was since I was little, but ever since then, I just knew that’s what I wanted to do.” I shrug my shoulders. “Anyway, that’s when I met James, and we started dating. We moved in together quickly, and life moved on. We worked, well… I worked. James delivered pizzas for a living. He never really had a dream. I don’t think he ever saw himself doing anything, ya know? He just enjoyed hanging out with his friends, so that’s what we did when we were off. Hung out.”
“Did you ever tell him about your dream of having your own bridal shop?”
I shake my head, “I did once, but he told me it was stupid, that weddings were stupid. All that money spent on one day out of your life just to end up divorced was ridiculous. He just didn’t get it, so I never brought it up again. I always thought it was a pipedream, anyway.”
“Until now.”
“Until now.” I agree. “Well, after I caught James fucking our next-door neighbor one afternoon when I came home early from work, I collected my stuff and moved out that day. Fortunately, I found an ad for a roommate needed that night and that’s how I ended up with a party crowd. After a while, the landlord kicked us out because of their extracurricular activities, and I moved in with a bunch of creepy guys.”
“Is that how you ended up in Hibiscus Harbor?”
“No. Well, kind of. I knew I needed a new start. Temping as a receptionist in Knoxville would not give me enough money to survive, and I was so tired of the cold. So, one day, I spun around, closed my eyes and pointed at a map. Bingo. Hibiscus Harbor. That was a few weeks ago, and here I am. I moved down here on a Saturday and started at your country club the next Monday.”
I watch Ian nod his head as he listens to my story. Hearing it out loud, I wouldn’t be surprised if he calls this whole thing off. I would if I were him. Why would he want to get mixed up with a foster kid from the sticks?
“What’s your favorite color?” He takes me by surprise with his question.
“That’s easy. Pink. What’s yours?”
“Blue. What’s your favorite food?”
“Another easy one. BBQ ribs. Yours?”
“Steak.”
“Just steak? No sides or anything?”
Ian shakes his head with a smile. “Give me all the steak.”
“What’s your favorite type of movie?”
“That’s easy. Anything with explosions. Yours?”
“Romance, obviously. Did you play any sports in school?”
He nods, “Yep. Lacrosse. You?”
I laugh. “Nope. I’m not coordinated enough. I can barely open a door.” We both laugh. “Okay, you know my dream. What’s yours?”
He takes a few minutes to think about my question. “I don’t think anyone’s ever asked me that before.”
“Well, what is it?”
“Do you mean career-wise or in life? Like my dream vacation? What do you mean by dream?”
“Ian, this isn’t a complicated question. What is your dream life look like?”
He contemplates my question for a few more moments. “What’s yours look like?”
I laugh at him. “You’re answering a question with a question.”
“Tell me, Mia. What’s your dream life look like? Tell me and I’ll tell you mine.”
I sigh, “Okay. My dream life, if I could waive a magic wand, it would be me, married to someone that thinks I’m the jelly to his peanut butter. Kids, maybe two or three. A dog or two. Family dinners every night, vacations to the beach each summer, a successful business where I can help brides and grooms have their perfect day no matter their budget. A small house that’s all mine where I don’t have to move every few months. Helping my kids with their homework, chaperoning their field trips, and going to PTA meetings. Having friends over for picnics. Basically, putting down roots and building the family I’ve never had, but always wanted.” I shake myself out of my dream world. “Your turn. What’s your dream life look like?”
Ian crosses his right ankle over his left knee in a nervous movement. “Don’t laugh at me, but I want what my parents have.”
“What do your parents have?”
“You’ll see it tomorrow when they come over for dinner, but nothing in this world can come between the two of them. They love each other with every fiber of their being. Dad caters to Mom’s every whim and Mom protects and supports Dad in every way possible. They raised Sawyer and I to be caring and thoughtful men.”
“Who’s Sawyer?” I interrupt.
“My brother, sorry. You’ll meet him tomorrow night as well. Just stay away from him or he’ll charm you away from me.” He smiles, but there’s something just below the surface he keeps from me, so, to respect his privacy, I don’t pry and just nod my head.
“All this,” he waves around the room, “it means nothing if you don’t have someone to enjoy it with. Trust me. But I’ve learned over the years that finding what my parents have is very elusive and only happens to some people. Not everyone gets that.” Ian stands up. “I need a drink. Want one?”
“No, I’m fine, thank you.” I look at my watch. “It’s getting late. Is there anything more you need to know about me or that I need to know about you?”
“You need to know that I drink whiskey.” He raises up the tumbler. “In case they ask tomorrow.”
Something is bothering him, but I don’t know what it is. Perhaps it was that bit about his brother? I don’t know, but the mood in the room has shifted downwards and I have the urge to run back to my room.
“Okay, well, I’m going to let you enjoy your whiskey in peace and head upstairs for the night. I have a busy day tomorrow, thanks to you, Mr. Gallo.” I give him my small smile, hoping it lets him know that I’m in this for the duration. Plus, I’m ready to be alone with my thoughts and process all that has happened, and all that is about to happen.
“Good night, Mia.”
“Oh, one more thing.” I catch myself against one of the banisters to the staircase. “I belong to a kickball team, and I have practice every night and a game every Saturday. I missed today’s practice, but I’m going to the rest of them.”
“You can’t go, Mia. I’m sorry. It’s not safe yet.” He interrupts me as he takes a sip of his whiskey.
“Oh, I’m sorry. You thought I was asking permission?” I laugh. “No, I was letting you know where I’ll be. If you want to have your security follow me, that’s fine. But I’m going whether or not you like it.” I turn and go up the stairs.
“Mia. Wait! That came out wrong.” He chases after me.
When I make it to the landing, I turn to him and see him still standing at the base of the staircase. “I’m a big girl, Ian. I can take care of myself; I have for my entire life. If you want me to take your security team, fine. But I will not miss out on what I want to do because of this charade we’ve got going on. What you don’t understand is that once you walk out of my life and this is all over, I need to have a life to go back to.”
He looks down into his glass of whiskey like it’ll give him the answers he’s looking for and then back up to me. “I’m sorry, Mia. That came out wrong and you’re right. I would like to have security accompany you tomorrow. If that’s okay with you.” I can hear the apology in his voice.
“That would be great. Good night, Ian.”
“Good night, Mia.”
I go into my room and close the door behind me and take a deep breath and collapse on the couch in my living room.
It’s been a long day.