43. Mia
“We are going to kick you out,” Aurora threatens playfully.
“No! I may not be a spinster, but I still love hanging out with you guys,” I protest, trying to muster my best puppy-dog eyes. The laughter that erupts around our corner booth at Groovy Grounds reassures me that my plea has been received in good humor.
Groovy Grounds is our go-to spot, and we’re here almost every week now.
Addison takes care of us every time, and we make sure to leave her a big tip because we always hog our table way longer than we should.
Now that I’ve been dating Theo for six months, everyone thinks I shouldn’t be allowed to be part of the Spinsters’ Society anymore.
Madison, always the instigator, grins at me from across the table. “You’re just lucky we like Theo. Otherwise, we’d have to hold some serious friend meetings about you ditching us for him.”
Zoey leans forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Speaking of Theo, how are things going with the bed and breakfast? I saw some awesome reviews online.”
Excited for the chance to tell my friends about my success, I lean forward. It’s January now, so business isn’t too busy. But it will pick back up when people start having their spring breaks. “Yeah, it’s been amazing. The guests love it, and the breakfast menu we put together is a hit. Plus, Theo’s resort is doing really well, too. We’ve both been really busy, but it’s been worth it.”
Aurora, ever the skeptic but also my fiercest protector, gives me a searching look. “And how are you feeling about everything? You know, between you and Theo?”
I smile, thinking about the past few months and how much we’ve both grown. “Honestly, I’m really happy. There were some rocky moments, but we’ve worked through them. We’re in a good place. And honestly, I could see myself with him for the rest of my life.”
Stella squeals happily, and Zoey squeezes my arm in encouragement.
Madison raises her coffee cup in a mock toast. “To Mia and Theo, the power couple of the coast!”
We all clink our cups together, laughing. It feels so good to be here, surrounded by my friends, catching up on life. For a moment, everything feels perfect.
I laugh, shaking my head. “I’ve missed this, getting together all the time. It’s been too long since we’ve all hung out. I feel like someone is always missing for something.”
“Guilty!” Stella lifts a hand. Her hair now has bright yellow highlights. Somehow, the look works on her. “I’ve been working extra shifts for more dough.”
“Sorry, guys,” Madison says. “I haven’t been working a whole lot as you know, but I have been taking those training classes so when I do open my surf school, I’ll be properly certified. Plus, Samson keeps me on my toes.”
“Did you ever get that dog walker you talked about?” Aurora asks.
“Yes, actually, her name is Emery, and she’s excellent. She is like Samson’s aunt basically. He gets so excited when she arrives.”
“Doesn’t he get excited for everyone?” Stella points out.
Madison laughs. “Yes, he does, but he gets even more excited for her…if that’s possible.”
Aurora flips her long, blonde hair over her shoulder with a contemptuous look on her face. “Well, Zoey and I have been regularly coming for when the rest of you have time.”
Madison and Stella start protesting along with me, but Aurora smiles a thin smile that says she’s joking but not really. I don’t know how she’s not dating someone. She’s been on some dates, but none of the prospects have interested her. Unless…something prompts me to dig a little deeper.
“Aurora, have you been on any more dates recently?”
Aurora makes a face. Clearly, nothing good. “I’ve been on two, and neither one of them was even worth a second date. The pickings in Oak Island are slim. I might have to move if I don’t want to end up as a real spinster.”
“No! You can’t move!” Stella protests.
“You can’t be saying you’ve dated every single man here?”
“Every single man and every married man,” Aurora responds with a twinkle before we all burst out laughing. “I’m kidding. Just kidding. No, but I feel like I’m living surrounded by men I’ve gone on dates with. Do you know how awkward it is when I’m in the checkout line at the grocery store, and not one, but two people I’ve been on dates with and rejected come up and start conversations?”
“I know how to fix that,” I say.
Aurora turns toward me and raises her eyebrows.
“Just use grocery pickup. Problem solved. You pull up. Groceries are loaded in the trunk. You pull away.”
“With my luck, one of the losers I went on a date with would be the one loading my groceries. He would try to ask me out while he’s doing it, too.”
We all laugh at that.
“Zoey, any prospects for you?” I ask.
Zoey shakes her head and doesn’t say anything. We all wait because sometimes, Zoey takes a little while to open up. “I’ve met a few men I thought it would be nice to get to know more, but they never followed up. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.” Zoey adjusts her glasses, and I see a little sadness on her face. Zoey is always so busy taking care of everyone else I think she doesn’t always take the time to take care of herself.
Now, it’s my turn to squeeze her arm. “Zoey, maybe you’re not someone’s cup of tea, but you can be his cup of coffee.”
My friends laugh, and Zoey smiles, her sadness vanishing in the fun of the moment.
“Stella?” Aurora asks, deciding that everyone needs to be questioned now. “Anyone special in your life?”
Stella staunchly shakes her head. “No, and I don’t even have time for a guy right now. I mean, with how much I’m working, I think any guy in my life would feel neglected.”
“Madison?” Aurora says, turning to her next.
Madison runs a hand through her long, dark hair. “No. My brother says he’ll take care of anyone who tries to date me anyway. He says I’ve had my heart broken too many times.”
“Oh, Wesley!” Stella croons. “How is he?”
“He’s fine. He’s not dating anyone, either. Oak Island is just full of singles who all don’t want to date each other.”
“We just haven’t met the right people,” Aurora answers confidently. “Maybe we need a shipment of tall, handsome British men with accents.”
Everyone laughs at that suggestion. Then, the topic moves on from our dating lives to our future plans. That’s when Zoey brings up something unexpected. “So, Mia, any plans for you and Theo to move in together?”
I blink, caught off guard. “Actually, we’ve been talking about it. We’ve been looking at properties together, thinking about finding a place that could be our home and also another business venture. We put in an offer on one place, but the bidding went too high, so we’re looking for something else. But yes, it’s going to happen.”
Aurora raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “Really? That’s a big step.”
“I know, but it feels right. We’ve already been through so much together, and this just seems like the next step.”
Madison grins. “Well, if you need any help house hunting or decorating, you know we’re all here for you.”
I smile, touched by their support. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it.”
Aurora reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Just make sure you’re doing this for you, Mia. You deserve to be happy.”
“I am. Theo and I have talked a lot about it, and we’re on the same page. It’s exciting to think about building something new together.”
Zoey’s eyes light up. “You have to keep us updated! I want to know all about the properties you’re looking at and your plans.”
“Absolutely,” I promise, feeling a surge of gratitude for my friends. “I’ll make sure to keep you in the loop.”
A familiar voice behind me makes me turn around. Theo is standing at the entrance of Groovy Grounds. Based on how wet he is, it must be raining outside. I glance out the window and realize I haven’t brought an umbrella.
I decided to walk from my bed and breakfast to Groovy Grounds because my car has been having some issues lately. But of course, I didn’t check the weather.
Theo spots us and comes right over, a cup of coffee in his hands. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” he says, sipping casually at his coffee. I stand up and embrace him, wanting to show him off to my friends.
“Theo, you should come hang out with us sometime,” Stella offers. “So we can get to know you better.”
“Yeah, the last time you hung out with us, we forced you to kiss Mia. Then, you ended up dating her.” Madison laughs. “Maybe we’re all really excellent matchmakers.”
Theo wraps an arm around my shoulders and kisses me on the cheek. “Now, I kiss Mia just for the fun of it.”
I laugh, then I turn my lips toward Theo’s. He kisses me hard, making something in my chest flutter. This is nothing like the awkward kiss we shared at the tiki bar, the one where I feel such a strong attraction toward him that I couldn’t seem to shake.
Now, I still feel that strong attraction, but I’m not trying to get rid of it anymore.
“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Stella starts chanting, and my other friends join in good-naturedly.
When we finally break apart, Theo wipes my lipstick off him. Then, he reaches up and rubs his hair so that water droplets splash all over me.
“I thought you might not want to walk back in this, so I drove over to pick you up. I’m not trying to tell you it’s time to go, though.”
“Aww!” Stella says, and Madison joins in with her.
“Aren’t you two so cute?”
I smile. I can’t keep it off my face. Because we are cute, and I like spending time with Theo, and my life feels like it’s come full circle.
I’m finally living my dream. I have a house that’s paid off, and I host guests, guests who love my space. Last of all, my first boyfriend is my boyfriend again. And the growing he’s done in the last ten years has made it worth the wait.
“Yes, yes, we are cute,” I say. I stand. “And I think we’re going to head back to the bed and breakfast. I have some…website updates that need to be made.”
“Sure!” Stella responds, raising an eyebrow. I really do have to update the website, but that’s not what I’m planning on doing when Theo and I are alone.
I grab Theo’s hand, and we run out into the rain to where he’s parked. This is happiness—holding someone’s hand and dancing in the rain.
The End
Thank You for reading Claimed by my Frenemy.