Chapter Nine
After fall one in her loft, Mia wanted to avoid a repeat performance as she made her way down the stairs to the cafe. Chatter and the sound of the expresso machine filtered to her as she pushed the door open. She set the basket just inside the door separating the stairs from the cafe and stepped in. she was greeted with the comforting scent of coffee beans and baking pastries. She smiled as she caught Tony’s gaze. He motioned her over before turning to the machines and crafting a beverage. Happy to accept a coffee in exchange for gossip, Mia sidled up the counter. The line was only a few deep, the two girls working in tandem to take the orders and fulfill them.
“Morning girl.” Tony said, handing a to go over the little partition. “So, spill.” Mia accepted the warm cup and felt her cheeks grow hot. She had yet to tell Tony how far things had progressed but she knew he was sensing a shit.
“Well,” she drew in sharp breath and let a little giggle out.
“Stop!” Tony half shouted, the last remaining patron eyeing them before walking to a table with a mug. Mia placed a hand on her head, pressing the bruise, eliciting a quick suck in of air. Tony looked at her, his eyes searching her face as Oliver had. When they landed on the bruise, Tony’s mouth fell open.
“What did you do?” Tony reached out a hand gently. Mia let him tilt her chin around, his eyes gaging the bruise, his face hiding nothing as he took it in. “Are you okay?” Mia gave him a nod as his hand pulled back. He gave a tut and turned to the machine he had used. Cleaning it, he caught Mia’s eye again.
“so you two been spicing things up then?” he gave her a raised brow. Her grin and reddened cheeks seemed to be all the conformation he needed. He gave her grin and nodded his approval.
“Good, lord know you need it.” Mia laughed and raised her cup before taking a sip. She gave him a thanks for the coffee and the two parted, each wearing a smile.
After placing the hamper in the car, Mia followed her usual ritual for errands. The day felt dull, filled with the same domestic chores she had tackled on the very first day she met Aurelio.
Her mind wandered from the textbook on her lap as she waited for the laundry to beep, drifting back to those memories. She imagined the cars with their shiny finishes as they careened down the road, the vibrant images still vivid in her mind. She felt as if she were spiraling down a rabbit hole—deeper than Alice ever had in Wonderland.
In her quest for knowledge, Mia had bonded with Mac at the diner over their shared interest in cars. He had introduced her to the different manufacturers and explained how various engines influenced speed and horsepower. On the nights he stayed with her, they had talked almost non-stop about it, his passion igniting her own curiosity.
Despite this newfound knowledge, she had never shared it with Aurelio. Why, she couldn’t quite say. Although cars were part of his world, their conversations rarely ventured into that territory. Most of their discussions were profound yet lacking in detail, each skirting around deeper truths. They revealed small pieces of themselves but kept their scars hidden beneath the surface.
A gentle beep startled Mia from her thoughts, the ghosts of those cars fading from her mind. She moved to finish her laundry, her thoughts already shifting to her grocery list. Mind on autopilot, she found herself in the parking lot of the grocery store. She hadn’t heard from Aurelio in a awhile, their last text exchange a reminder from him to her to buy more snacks as she had run out last time and wouldn’t stop complaining every time he ate a chip. She had sent back a rolling eye emoji and a salute. His response had made her stomach flip, the simple Good Girl making her thighs clench.
Wandering the store she grabbed what she needed, adding an extra bag of smartfood that she was pretty sure she could swing this week. The checkout was quick, Mia giving the cashier a friendly smile as she gripped the bags.
As she stepped outside, the relief of the setting sun washed over her throbbing eyes, a welcome contrast to the fluorescent glow of the grocery store. Fumbling in her pocket, she paused to admire the sky, painted in bright pinks and oranges. Pulling her key free, she slid it into the lock, the bags in her hands threatening to spill over.
“Come on,” Mia muttered, her key stubbornly refusing to budge as she set the groceries down. “Let go, old girl. I want to go home.” With a sigh, she pulled once more, her fingers slipping and leaving a deep red mark.
“Fuck,” she cursed, eyeing the mark disdainfully before glancing at the key still lodged in the trunk.
Just then, her phone buzzed, drawing her attention from the obstinate car. Pulling it from her pocket, her mood instantly brightened as she swiped to answer.
“Evening, beautiful,” Aurelio said, his voice immediately soothing her. “How’s your day been?”
Mia leaned against the side of the car, gazing at the shifting sky. “Hello, handsome. My day’s been alright.” She glanced back at the trunk. “How about yours?”
“Fine. Lots of driving and fixing.” A sigh escaped his lips, and she could sense that it hadn’t been a good day.
“Oof, rough day, huh?” she said, hearing the soft chuckle on the other end. “What can I do to help?”
“Oh, beautiful, just hearing your voice helps immensely.” Another deep sigh followed, stirring something inside Mia.
“Hmm, just my voice?” she teased, letting the words linger. “What if I told you how much I’ve been thinking about you today? How I’ve fantasized about you all day?” Her voice dropped to a whisper, her eyes watching the clouds but envisioning him in her mind, lost in thoughts of him.
“Please don’t stop,” he rasped, his voice deepening with need. “Tell me what you’ve been fantasizing about.” His words were commanding, almost begging, igniting a sly smile on Mia’s lips.
“I picture your hand…”
“Excuse me?”
Mia jumped, her eyes snapping to her trunk. An older gentleman stood there, a gentle smile on his face.
“Mia?” Aurelio called, concern lacing his tone.
“Yes?” she answered the older man, shame flooding her cheeks at the realization of her conversation’s direction.
“Did you need help with the key?” The man pointed at the trunk. “I saw you from my car over there.” He gestured to a little gray sedan parked a row over. He looked to be in his seventies, perhaps closer to eighty. In the dimming light, she noticed the soft wrinkles of his round face and the kind eyes framed by crow’s feet.
Mia returned his smile. “Yes, it got stuck and won’t budge.” She stepped closer, bringing the phone back to her ear.
“Mia! Are you okay?” Aurelio’s voice was tight, the sound of a slamming door echoing in the background.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she reassured him, raising a finger to the man. “Give me one moment; my boyfriend is kind of freaking out.” The old man nodded, lifting a hand and turning slightly, granting her some privacy.
“Mia! Fuck, I was about to drive all over town to find you,” Aurelio said, his voice tight with concern.
“No, I’m fine. My car key got stuck, and this gentleman just asked if he could help.” She looked back at the older man, who nodded encouragingly. “Can I call you ba—?”
“Do not hang up.” His tone was curt, surprising her. “Please,” he added, softer.
She considered hanging up just on principle, but part of her was glad to comply. The old man seemed harmless enough, but still, you never knew.
“Of course,” Mia continued. “Tell me more about it.” She shifted the phone slightly and addressed the old man. “If you can get it out without having to tow the old girl, I will be forever in your debt.” He smiled and focused on the key. Mia watched, phone pressed to her ear, as the old man jiggled the key this way and that.
“Mia?”
“Yeah, still here.”
“Did you call me your boyfriend?” Amusement colored Aurelio’s voice, making Mia feel her cheeks heat up once again.
“Huh?” she managed, taken aback.
“I’m not complaining, beautiful,” he chuckled. “Just thinking about what that means.”
“What?” Mia stuttered, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, if I’m your boyfriend, does that mean I get to hold your hand when we finally go out?”
“I guess.” The sun had set, darkness enveloping her, and the parking lot lights blinked to life.
“Place kisses on your cheek and pull you into my arms whenever I want.” His voice deepened again, sending shivers down Mia’s spine.
“I suppose,” she replied, her gaze darting back to the old man, still fiddling with the key.
“Pull your hips towards me, making you gasp as I kiss you.” Aurelio’s voice turned into a growl, and she could almost feel his rough hands on her skin, pulling her closer.
“Mhm,” was all she could manage.
“Rip off your clothes and have my way…”
“Got it!” the old man exclaimed, startling Mia once more. She heard Aurelio chuckle as her face flushed with embarrassment.
“Oh, wow,” she breathed, her mind spinning from the images Aurelio had conjured. The cool air felt refreshing against her heated skin as she pulled her thoughts from the gutter. The old man beamed, holding the key pinched between two wrinkled fingers.
“Here you are, my dear,” he said, handing her the key. “You should get that boyfriend of yours to take a look at that.” He pointed at the keyhole, then stepped back.
“Thank you!” Mia called after him, raising the phone to her ear once more, but Aurelio's raucous laughter made her pout.
“That was rude.” She slid the key into the door and smacked it shut before going through the ritual of getting in and starting the old girl. Aurelio, meanwhile, was busy apologizing, and she could picture the huge smile on his face.
“I’m going to hang up on you now.”
“Bye, girlfriend!” Aurelio called just as Mia slammed her thumb on the end call button.