Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Mia
“ D amn, girl. How do you keep it all straight? That rush was insane,” Daisy says from her favorite corner booth. She and her laptop are a staple here at the cafe where I wait tables five days a week. She works and we chat when things are slow. She’ll never know how much it means to me that she makes this effort to spend time with me. Our friendship is one of the many things that changed when I became a single mom. Luckily for me, we’ve only gotten closer. “I couldn’t focus on my project, because I was too dazed by you zipping around this place like a damn athlete. I’m exhausted just from watching you in action.”
“It is what it is.” I shrug. “Especially when we’re down a person. The bright side is that a busy shift makes the day go by faster. Oh, and there’s always my one true love... coffee.”
Daisy lifts her Grace’s Crooked River Cafe mug in agreement. “Cheers to that.”
My hip rests against the other side of the booth. I don’t dare sit down and rest my feet. They’ll only hurt worse when I get back up. “So, how’s it going with the architect?”
She flashes me a devious smile.
“Come on! You know I have to live vicariously through your dating life. Tell me something!”
It’s been less than a week since I slept with Angus, and keeping that night from her is the worst sort of torture, yet simultaneously the easiest thing I’ve ever kept from her. She’s clueless to the fact that I’ve been in love with her brother, well... forever. And she would lose her shit if she knew what went on between us. But to have had the experience I shared with Angus and not tell her is killing me.
Except for my love for her brother and the identity of Sawyer’s father, she knows everything there is to know about me. Sure, those are pretty big secrets, but as long as she never finds out, she won’t hate me.
She closes her laptop and holds her hands out in front of her, her smile growing as her hands move further apart, one eyebrow lifted.
I gasp. “Wait, are you telling me what I think you’re telling me?”
“The architect is huge. Is that what you were thinking?”
I glance over my shoulder to make sure nobody is in earshot. “Good huge, or too huge?”
“Oh, we make it work, don’t you worry.”
“So, I’m guessing by your smile, you like him.”
“For now. He’s not the one or anything, but it’s fun for the time being.”
“You sure about that?”
“Besides the fact that he’s only here on business and he’ll be gone by next month, he isn’t much fun outside of the bedroom.”
“No?”
“He’s nice enough, but he’s so serious. I’m not sure if that man has had a silly moment in his life.”
“Well, that's too bad.”
If a man doesn’t know how to have fun, it will never work between them. Daisy can be serious when the moment calls for it, but she also loves to be silly.
“Nah, it’s all good. Charlie and I are busy getting the new business up and running. I don’t really have time for anything more serious than the occasional hook-up.”
Daisy certainly doesn’t need a man to take care of her, but she gets lonely. Try as she may to hide it, I see through her. She can tell me all day long she doesn’t have time for more than a casual fling, but if she met the one, she would find the time.
Daisy and Charlie are a lot alike that way. Both already established and successful on their own. Only Charlie found Cal and let him in. My hope is that Daisy doesn’t meet the one only to let him pass her by because she’s too busy working and proving she doesn’t need a man.
My phone vibrates in my apron pocket and when I see Dr. Gibbons’ name on the screen, my heart skips a beat and I break out into a sweat. I hold my phone up for Daisy to show her who’s calling.
Now her eyes grow wide for a completely different reason. “Shit! This is it! Answer it!”
She’s right, this is it.
The security I so desperately need for me and my son hangs in the balance of this phone call. My hand shakes as I push the button.
“Hello?”
“Mia, it’s Dr. Gibbons at High Desert Health and Wellness, happy new year!”
“Hello. Happy new year to you, too.”
“I’ll cut right to the chase. We would love to hire you as our lead nurse practitioner if you’re still interested?”
Wait. Did she say lead?
“Lead?”
“Yes, it really just means extra paperwork and scheduling. Your references raved about your charting, and we hear you’re very organized. We think it’s the right fit and it would pay a bit more. What do you say?”
“Yes!” I blurt out a little too fast. “I’m definitely still interested.”
“Wonderful! I know you need to give your current employer two weeks’ notice, but would you be able to come in this week to discuss your salary and sign your paperwork?”
“Of course, I can come in tomorrow afternoon, if that works.”
“Perfect. I’m so happy this all worked out. We look forward to working with you and getting to know your family.”
Shit.
“Me too, Dr. Gibbons.”
“Great, see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow and thank you so much for this opportunity.”
All I can do is stare at the phone in my hand once the call ends. I can’t believe this is happening. I just got the job of my dreams and they think I’m married to Angus. My joy and excitement are overshadowed by nausea.
Because I’m a liar.
“You got it, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
She scoots out of the booth to pull me into a hug. “I knew you’d get it! I’m so proud of you!”
“Thank you.”
I collapse in the booth, sore feet be damned, and drop my head into my hands.
“Wait. What’s happening? This is your dream job. Insurance and day care, remember? Why are you upset?”
She’s right it is, but they also hired me in part because of a lie.
“It is all those things, Daisy.” I peek through my fingers to look at her. “But... they... Oh, my God. Daisy, they think I’m married to your brother.”
“Louder please. I don’t think I heard you right.”
“They think I’m married to your brother,” I whisper-shout at her.
“Shut up!”
“I know, it’s so bad.”
“It’s crazy is what it is!”
“I agree.”
“Uh, Mia. I have three brothers. Which one do they think you’re married to?”
“Shh...” I look over my shoulder to make sure there aren’t any Nosey Nellies listening. “Angus.”
“And why exactly do they think you’re married to Gus?”
“I can explain.”
“Please do.”
The bell over the front door chimes and I’m saved for the moment.
“Hold that thought.”
I move to slide out of the booth, but Gracie comes out from the kitchen. “I got it. Take a break.”
Shit.
No escaping now.
Daisy’s arms are crossed in front of her. “Start talking, lady.”
“Listen, I really can explain.”
“I’m all ears.”
Oh, she is loving every second of this.
“God, it’s so embarrassing.”
“Spit it out.”
“Well, apparently, Dr. Gibbons saw Angus and Sawyer drop me off for my interview. And then while we were talking in her office, wouldn't you know it, they were playing in the park next to the clinic and she had a perfect view of them. She saw Granny’s ring and assumed we were married. I started to correct her but in the same breath she raved about the importance of family to the clinic, and how she couldn’t wait to meet them. The second time I started to correct her, Sawyer started crying. We thought he might have gotten hurt, and she rushed me out the door.”
“Does Gus know?”
“Yep, I told him right away, and he was fine with it.”
“I bet he was.” She smiles like she’s up to something. Like there’s more to this than there is.
“Don’t be weird.”
“It’s not like I didn’t notice how attentive he was at the wedding. I’ve been wondering what’s up with you two. I’d say he seemed pretty content playing pretend with you. He was sure honing his husband skills from what I could see.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Listen, you could do worse when it comes to fake husbands and baby daddies.”
True. Very true.
“I know. He’s been so cool about it and said since I’m already staying in his house, the address isn’t a lie. You know my paperwork is going to ask me to list my spouse and an emergency contact. How strange will it look to not list my husband on the paperwork?”
She sits back, arms crossed. Smile still firmly in place. “You are in a bit of a pickle.”
“You’re loving this, aren’t you?”
“More than you know.”
“You’re such a brat.”
“You have to admit it’s funny. Like you would ever marry one of my brothers. Although, after the wedding, I’d say Angus wouldn’t mind if you did.”
Her playful voice is confusing. Would she be okay with Angus and me, or is this all just a funny predicament to her?
The weight of my guilt from sleeping with Angus the night of the wedding hits me square in the chest. Try as I might to fill my lungs with air, breathing feels impossible. When did I become this person? Daisy is my best friend, yet I’m keeping secrets. Hell, I haven’t even trusted her enough to tell her about Sawyer’s dad. And now I’m lying to employers to get a job.
Who have I become?
“Daisy, this is bad.”
“It’ll be okay.” She leans forward and takes my hands in hers. “Mia, you got the job. You and Sawyer are gonna be okay and Gus will be cool as long as you need him to be. To be honest, he’s a pretty good emergency contact.”
“You aren’t mad?”
“Why would I be mad? I’m just so proud of you. My brother didn’t get you the job. You did that. And we’re gonna celebrate. Friday night. The House. Free drinks at your fake hubby’s fine establishment.”
“That sounds great, but I don’t have anyone to watch Sawyer.”
“Let me take care of that.”
She gathers up her things and puts her coat on, and I begrudgingly stand. And just like I knew they would, my feet hurt worse.
“Listen, we’re gonna have to come up with a plan that includes the family.”
“Angus said the same thing, but I would really love to avoid that if possible.”
“Sweetie, Bend is only twenty minutes from here and, well, not to sound like an asshole, but there isn’t anywhere in Central Oregon where folks don’t know the McKinnon family. Especially my brothers. We need to cover our bases, and I think the family needs to know so they don’t unknowingly blow your cover.”
“Daisy, no.” Panic overtakes my emotions, embarrassment scorching my cheeks. “I would be mortified if they knew.”
Pulling me into a hug, she says, “Okay. We’ll worry about it another day. I’m proud of you. Oh, and you’re mine Friday night.” And just like that, she’s out the door.
At once, I’m overcome with an entirely new set of worries. How do I see Angus on Friday and not want a repeat of what happened on New Year's Eve? Not want to feel that way again.
The knowledge of his feelings has brought back some of the confidence I had before I got pregnant. Knowing Angus McKinnon wanted me all these years feels phenomenal.
Empowering.
Something shifted in me that night. I feel different. Like more than Sawyer’s mom. Almost like the woman I used to be.