3. Mia
Chapter 3
Mia
S ince leaving Knoxville and starting my life over here in Hibiscus Harbor, I’ve decided to give this my all. I want to set down some roots, which is something I’ve never had in my life. Getting involved with the community, volunteering some place, and meeting new people are first on my list. Unpacking the handful of boxes around me is currently at the bottom of the list. I have unpacked the important stuff. My crochet needles and yarn. I love the idea of creating something out of nothing.
I’ve been strolling through the chamber of commerce website to see what Hibiscus Harbor has to offer when I see a notice for a kickball league. Perfect! I have almost zero coordination, but I can certainly kick a ball. I hope.
Practice starts on Wednesday this week after work, so this activity will be exactly what I’m looking for. And the name of the team is adorable. The Bad News Babes.
I print out the paperwork and write a check for the fees. The office is on my way to work so I can drop if off in the morning.
Now to find some place to volunteer. I wonder if the animal shelter is looking for people. I don’t mind cleaning up poop and walking dogs as long as I get to play with them and give them love. I know what it feels like to be unwanted. My time in foster care taught me that even though no one wants you, you still have value, even if only to yourself.
I click on the animal shelter website and see that they need volunteers, so I sign up for the once-a-week slot.
With that all taken care of, I look around my one-room apartment and decide to make my lunch for tomorrow and dinner for tonight. Tuna fish for dinner sounds fancy. Peanut butter and jelly for lunch tomorrow. I can do this living on my own thing. Who needs a boyfriend that cheats every chance he gets?
Ever since leaving foster care, all I ever wanted was to have friends and a family of my own. The kind like you see on television with the happy family, neighborhood picnics, PTA meetings, and family vacations.
I went straight from foster care to James. He moved me in, and we dated for a few years. I thought we were building a life together like the one I’ve always dreamed of, but I kept missing the signs of him cheating on me until one day I walked into our apartment and saw his naked ass doing our neighbor. I saw that sign clear as day. I packed up my stuff , walked out the door and never looked back.
Like I’ve always told myself, others may not see your value, but it doesn’t matter what others think as long as you see it. He did not, and I deserve better.
Having nowhere to go, I picked the first ad I could find for a room to rent. It was with a group of four other people. It was crowded and not the best environment for someone that doesn’t party, drink to excess, or do drugs, but it was a roof over my head and that’s all I really needed.
When my roommates got us all kicked out because of their extracurricular activities, I found myself in a similar situation, but with some creepy guys. That place didn’t last long, either. And it smelled funny.
Finally, I decided I needed a change. A new place to start my life. Hell, I’m knocking on the door to thirty. It’s time to get my shit together. And here I am in Hibiscus Harbor, temping as a receptionist at a fancy country club. It’s not my dream job, but it pays the bills. Barely.
My dream job would be to own my own bridal shop. Just because love has kicked me in the teeth doesn’t mean I don’t want others to have their dream wedding. And with a dream wedding comes a dream dress.
With my new start, I’m going to do everything I can to learn more about business so that I can get that business loan. I’ve seen a lot of businesses throughout my temping career and have learned a thing or two about what not to do and what is essential for a successful business. I’ve kept notes along the way and with each new place I go, I learn even more.
Every time I get discouraged, I pull out my business plan notebook and reread it, tweaking it with the knowledge that I’ve gained, and let it re-inspire me. Someday, I’m going to own that shop. I don’t know how or when, but I’m going to do it.
My second day at Hibiscus Island Country Club has been so boring just answering phone calls and opening the mail. It’s not very challenging. Actually, it’s not challenging at all. I decide to reach out to my boss, Mrs. Wilcox, to find out if there’s anything more I could be doing. I’ve got other skills besides answering phones and processing the mail.
“Hello, Mia. Is everything okay?” Mrs. Wilcox asks when she answers my call.
“Oh, yes. Everything is fine. I was just wondering if you had anything I could do right now. The phones are slow, and I’ve already distributed the mail. I’m just sitting here with nothing to do, and I don’t do well with nothing to do. Got anything I can help with? I’m a really quick study.”
“Oh, um… let me see.” I hear her shuffling papers at her desk. “Yes, actually, I have something you could help me out with. The monthly Hibiscus Island Country Club Newsletter. Why don’t you come to my desk, and I’ll show you what needs to be done?” I can hear the gratefulness in her voice.
“I’m on my way.” I hang up the phone and make my way to her desk, which sits just outside Mr. Gallo’s office. The door is thankfully closed. After seeing that episode yesterday, I have no interest in furthering the awkwardness. Something to add to my notebook; ‘Don’t bring significant others to work with you’.
“Hi there. How can I help?” I smile as I approach her.
“Thanks for the offer. That’s very kind of you.” She sounds surprised that I asked. Wonder why that is.
“Of course. You know what they say about idle hands.” I laugh.
“Mrs. Wilcox, can you bring me the legal documents that you need me to review for the Bahamas deal?” I hear a voice come through the little intercom on her desk.
“Yes, Mr. Gallo.” She says and grabs a stack of legal sized envelopes and hands them to me as her desk phone rings. “Here, take these to Mr. Gallo while I answer my phone.” I take the files and look at the closed door. “Mr. Gallo’s office.” She says into the phone as she waves me to his door.
Suddenly, my heart starts pounding, and there’s a fluttery feeling in my stomach. Why am I nervous? Probably because everyone in this office seems to be afraid of him. Yesterday I barely got a look at him so unless he’s ten feet tall, has a hump on his back, and a claw for a hand, I’m not really afraid of anybody. Foster care will do that to a girl.
I take a deep breath and pull the door handle, but the door doesn’t open. Great, it’s locked.
I jiggle it again, but I can’t get it opened. I turn to Mrs. Wilcox for help, and she makes the pushing motion. Pushing the door works. Fabulous first impression in front of the boss, Mia . Can’t open a door. That should instill great confidence in your capabilities .
The door closes automatically behind me, and I turn to find the most magnificent man I have ever seen. Seeing him takes my breath away. I can’t tell if he’s ten feet tall or not, but he definitely doesn’t have a hump on his back or a claw for a hand.
He does have a square, powerful jaw, blue eyes the color of the ocean outside, dark hair and not an ounce of body fat on him. He must have work, sleep, and work out on repeat.
“Hello?” He says to me in a smooth voice and my insides melt like chocolate and something’s going on down under.
“Um… hi.” I stand there just staring at him, holding the files to my chest as if they’re a lifeline to safety. Safety from what, I don’t know, but right now they are my shield. A shield I feel like I need in his presence.
He looks at the files and then back to my eyes and he smiles. “Are those for me?” He stands, and he’s tall; not ten feet tall, but taller than my five-foot four height.
I look down at the files in my hand, and my senses come back to me. “Oh, yes, I’m sorry. Yes, these are for you. From Mrs. Wilcox.” I walk across the massive office to his large desk and hold the files to him. He walks around his desk and stands in front of me, and my knees are weak.
He takes the files and places them down on his desk and looks back up to me. “Ian Gallo.” He puts his hand out.
I look down at his hand and my brain decides to fire a neuron or two and I’m able to put my hand in his. And now my brain has short-circuited because of the electricity flying up my arm and into my chest. “Mia McIntosh, like the apple.”
He has a strange look on his face, like I’m confusing him. Probably because of the door debacle. “Nice to meet you, Mia. Welcome to Hibiscus Island.”
We’re still shaking hands and it’s freaking me out, so I pull my hand away and instantly the electricity stops. What the hell was that? “Thank you, Mr. Gallo.”
“Mr. Gallo, Garrett is on line one for you, returning your call.” Mrs. Wilcox’s voice comes over the intercom on his desk.
He pushes the button and answers, “Thank you, Mrs. Wilcox.” His eyes never leave mine. “It was nice to meet you, Mia.”
I get the hint that I’m being dismissed and I’m okay with that because the tension in this room is suffocating. No wonder everyone is afraid of him; he gives off an aura of power. And holy hell, is he hot.
Turning to leave, I hear him answer the phone, “Hey man. Hooplas tomorrow night?”
I grab the door and push it, but it doesn’t give way. Trying again, I realize I need to pull it. What the hell is my problem with doors lately?