Chapter Six
Mia
I stare at the reflection of myself from my bedroom mirror. This look is perfect. The curls in my hair give a soft, beach-wave look. My pale skin pops against my dark purple halter dress. It starts at my neck and ends with ruffles that come down to just above my knees. My black heels elongate my legs. A black purse completes the look.
“Perfect,” I say under my breath.
I turn my body to look over my shoulder and pop my heel like the princess of Genovia in The Princess Diaries movie when she experiences her first kiss.
“Damn, you look good.”
I jump from Jake’s sudden appearance at the threshold of my door. His tall stature takes up the entire door frame. One hand is in his dress pant pocket while the other is resting on the other side of the door frame. The blue tie I saw him wearing this morning is now gone. He must have just gotten back from the office.
How is it, even when he’s annoying me, he still finds a way to make my heart race? How does he manage to get under my skin?
He seems to be everywhere I look now.
He’s the first person I see when I make my morning coffee and perhaps the last one before bed. This is no doubt what Jonathan wanted. And Jake is more than happy to help do his bidding.
I find it strange how every time I remind myself of this, I feel more disappointed than I did the last time. But I shouldn’t read too much into that. I’ve known for a long time Jake will never see me as the woman I am.
I grab my phone from my bed and place it in my purse. “I don’t remember asking for your opinion, but thanks.”
I try to leave the room, but he stands his ground, his stance unchanged.
He scans me up and down.
“Is that for me?” He indicates to my appearance with a smirk.
I scoff. “You fucking wish.”
“Language, doll.” His voice lowers an octave. His facial expression turns serious.
He has my full attention. My heart races. Goose bumps crawl all over my body. Why does he have me on edge like this?
I shake my head, pulling myself from this trance. “Bite my ass,” I snap at him.
He shrugs. “Sure, if you’re into that sort of thing.”
Ugh. I cross my arms over my chest. “Why do you have to be such a pig?”
He lets out a chuckle. “You make it so easy.”
“Yeah? Well, that doesn’t mean I have to hear it. Now get out of my way.” I shove him with my body away from my door, gaining my freedom.
He follows. “Seriously though, what’s the occasion?”
I sigh. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m going to a birthday party.”
“Whose birthday? Anyone I should know?”
I pick up the gift bag I prepared ahead of time from the island. “It’s Josie’s. She’s come home to celebrate.”
“Your best friend from high school? Wow, that must be a blast from the past.”
He isn’t wrong. The last time I saw her was a few days before we both left for college. We had one last sleepover together. We’ve tried to keep in touch, but, of course, life happens. The fact she’s back in Dallas makes me excited to be with an old friend again.
“You remember her?”
“How could I not? You two were inseparable. There was hardly a day where she wasn’t over at your place.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, those were good times.”
Those moments seem like a distant memory. A lot has changed since then. No doubt she feels the same way.
I suddenly remember where I am and where I need to be. “I have to go.” I scan the area for my keys. “Crap, where did I put them?”
“I’ve got your car keys here.” Jake extends his hand to me. The keys sit in his large palm.
I never realized, until now, how large his hands are. I can’t help but think about those large hands all over my body. The things he could do. The pleasure… No. Stop it. Gosh, I need to get a hold of myself. My younger self needs a reality check. Jake and I will never happen, and I need that part of me to stop hoping. I need her to go away.
I grab the keys from his hand. “Thank you.”
I make the mistake of looking into his hypnotic eyes. Eyes that make my girl parts flutter.
What would it be like for him to hold me in his arms? In his bed?
I clear my throat. “I should be back around midnight or so.”
“I appreciate you telling me. Call me if you need anything okay?”
I nod, walking out the door.
His words warm my heart.
Just because he cares doesn’t mean he likes me in that way.
True. His drive to look after me goes against my hyperindependence, yet I can’t help but secretly like it.
About fifteen minutes later, I arrive at the Italian restaurant Josie said to meet at. The night, despite being cold, is rather calm.
I walk through the front door of the crowded restaurant. The warmth of the place rushes over my body instantly despite being in the cold just moments ago.
I should have taken a warmer coat when I had the chance.
I walk to the hostess stand. “Hi, I’m meeting someone. She should already be seated. I think the party is under Jocelyn.”
“Are you Mia Knight?” the hostess asks.
“Yes.”
“We were told to be expecting you. Right this way.”
I follow the older woman through the restaurant. We pass table after table of people. Some with families. Some on dates.
We enter a large private room, secluded from the rest of the restaurant by doors.
As she opens them, I’m greeted by four women. I scan their faces until my gaze locks on a familiar one.
“Mia!” Josie squeals, standing from her chair and all but running to me.
I meet her halfway, embracing her. “Josie! How are you?”
She has her bright blond hair styled in a cute high pony. She wears a short, pink, sequined, spaghetti-strapped minidress. The garment compliments her small waist and large bust. Her shoes are a bright hot pink.
“I’m good. I’m so glad to finally see your face. Oh my god, it’s been too long.”
“I know, right?”
Breaking from our hug, we walk over to the table.
“Everyone, this is my high school friend, Mia. Mia, this is Hannah, Emily, and Ashlyn. They were my roommates and besties in college. I don’t think I would have survived without them,” Josie introduces me to the three other women I don’t recognize.
They all greet me with a smile.
Taking a seat beside Jocelyn at the rectangular table, we enjoy appetizers and pasta dishes. From jobs to exes, we spend a good hour talking about anything and everything.
“So are you dating anyone?” I ask my bestie when the other girls are in the middle of another conversation.
She blushes. “Unfortunately, I’ve had no luck in the dating department. All duds, I’m afraid.”
“I get you on that,” I sympathize. “How long are you in Dallas?”
“Honestly? I haven’t decided. I’ve been looking for a fresh start. Not sure where that is yet, but I figured I could go back to my roots for now until I do.”
She’s here indefinitely? “That’s awesome! Where are you staying?”
“With my parents for now until I can get a job.”
I have an idea. “If you want, I can talk to my brother about getting you a job interview. He’s been looking to hire more hands since his company has been expanding.”
“You’d do that for me?” She seems shocked.
“Absolutely.” There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for the people I love and care about.
“Thanks, girl!”
A little while later, we finish dessert, pay the check, and decide to enjoy the nightlife.
We dance our hearts out at this club nearby. Strobe lights are everywhere in the dark place. Bodies are on the dance floor and the bar. The DJ blasts one song after the next, keeping everyone dancing. Two drinks in and I begin to relax and let loose.
I’d go out more often, if Kami and Kiera weren’t busy with wedding plans.
I continue to dance the night away with Josie and her friends next to me.
“Ready for another?” I shout in Josie’s ear against the loud music.
“Hell, yeah,” she shouts back at me.
I give her a thumbs-up before walking up to the crowded bar. After a few minutes, I manage to get the bartender’s attention. “Two Lemon Drops, please.”
“Her drinks are on me.” I look over to a tall man standing next to me. Vance Shaw, my neighbor growing up, points to me as he talks to the bartender.
Though I didn’t know the Shaws that well, I did go to high school with Vance’s younger brother, Ryan. I was just starting freshman year of high school when Vance left for base camp to become a Marine. In my young eyes, I remember him as a guy with shaggy blond hair that covered his brown eyes. Now I look at him, and see nothing but muscle with a buzz cut that shows off his sharp jaw line, intense eyes, and strong facial features.
He then turns his attention to me with a smile. “Hey, Knight.”
“Vance!” I’m stunned. Of all the people I could have run into…“Long time, no see.”
“You got that right,” he says as we give each other a brief hug. “How are you?”
“I’m good. What about you? What brings you here tonight?”
“You know, having fun with some friends. And you?”
“Same.”
“How have your brothers been? Last I heard, Jonathan was working on starting a company.”
“Yes. He and Jake run KH Industries.”
“Really? That’s fantastic.”
Our conversation is interrupted when the bartender sets two full glasses in front of me.
“Thanks for the drinks, by the way.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“How’s your brother?”
“Playing college football, currently.”
“Good for him.”
“Are you still living with your parents?”
I shake my head. “I haven’t in years. I’m living in an apartment not far from the city. I heard you joined the marines.”
He nods. “Yes, ma’am.”
“That’s amazing. Where are you currently stationed?”
He chuckles. “Nowhere right now. I’m home permanently.”
“Are you staying at your parent’s place?”
“For now. I’m looking to find a place of my own.”
“Makes sense.”
“What makes sense?” a familiar voice asks behind me.
No. You’ve got to be kidding me. That can’t be…
Reluctantly I turn around.
Jake winks. “Hey, baby girl.”