Page 3 (1/2)

And kissed her

Feeling intrusive, Mia took an involuntary step back, unable to put a finger on what she felt exactly Envious that she’d broken up with the love of her life while Carlos was clearly so happy? As unflattering as that was, yes She must have made a sound because Carlos broke fro dark, reflective sunglasses, which he slowly shoved to the top of his head And then he sled herself and turned with curiosity in Mia’s direction Carlossoft to her, squeezed her hand, and then left her, heading toward Mia

"Hey," he said, genuine affection in his voice as he reached for her Mia was so relieved that it wasn’t aard that she walked right into his arms

It wasn’t the same kind of e them, not even close Nor was it the saiven Mia once upon a time It arm and friendly Not sexual

Mia waited for the hit of disappoint held by Carlos was bittersweet, she ached for someone else

For Nick

She rip on her in a way that

His pick

For a ainst the sorrow that was threatening to bring her to her knees and held on to the oh-so-painfully-fa a sood to see you," he said sincerely "You look beautiful You ht"

No, just scaring thehtly, "and it’s quite the chore"

Carlos smiled, and then turned to the other woman and held out his hand for her When she came close, he said, "Theresa, this is Mia"

Theresa’s sot away I’ve heard a lot about you You’re the one who taught hirateful to you" Sheher territory "Hope you enjoy your stay"

Mia found everyone in the large B&B kitchen--her parents, Maddie and Jax, Chloe, and Sawyer They were all in an asse what appeared to be an entire Toys R Us warehouse of stuff

After welco presents for Maddie and Jax’s two kids

"WeMia a pair of scissors

"Might?" Sawyer asked drily, atte

Chloe took over for hiently "Why you’re looking like you just found out there’s no Santa"

"I’m fine," she said And then she burst into tears

Chapter 4

Mia told everyone about Nick over eggnog and , which teh thehis sleepy three-month-old son, Ryder, in one ar," he said

A relieved Maddie went back to the discussion at hand "I think the text means he’s sorry," she said to Mia "It’s actually kinda sweet"

Nick was a lot of things He was strong of mind and body, he was both street and book smart, and he possessed a wicked sense of hu to him

But she wouldn’t classify him as sweet

"I like the ‘please,’" Chloe said "The ‘please’ is always good" She gave Sawyer a secret s a spool of ribbon like an expert, "he needs to be the kind of guy who thinks you’re beautiful when you’re not So, for exah you hate yoga"

"You hate yoga?" Chloe asked She was Maddie’s yoga instructor And a tyrant "You said you liked it"

Jax choked on his beer,Ryder mewl in his sleep

Maddie shot her husband a look as she soothed the baby "He needs to let you kno much he cares," she said to Mia "He needs to see you and think you’re it for hied on Maddie’s hand until she moved in close "You’re it for a pants"

Maddie shed

"Oh good Lord, get a rooo Not okay As I see it, he’s got to earn your heart back"

"Harsh," Ford said

Sawyer snorted "Says the idiot who once had to do the sa look at Sawyer "You want to tell tales?"

Sawyer just s on a honeylasses and sunscreen, and that’s it Nothing you say can bug the shit out of ut that ca Nick like she’d s She’d mistaken affection for a deeper eo back to New York and resuht where they’d left off and accept less than she’d hoped for?

If she was being honest with herself, the ansas no She couldn’t do it It would kill her slowly

She opened her eyes She was on Ford’s boat, docked at the marina at the B&B He and Tara had a house on the hill above town, but Mia had wanted to sleep on the water They’d stayed with her, taking the tiny cabin She had the narrow couch in the galley area Sitting up, she saw that they were cooking breakfast

Tara was the chef in the family, but Ford could totally out-cook her when he wanted Proving it, he jostled a pan and expertly flipped the eggs

Tara rolled her eyes at hi kiss on the lips

"Morning," Mia said, and they both turned to her They were still sazes

"I’ar" Tara’s southern drawl came out as she made up three plates with quick efficiency "You’re a Daniels and a Walker" She shot Ford a wry smile "That means you’re ninety-nine percent fine stubbornness, tenacity, and resilience combined"

"And the other one percent?" Mia asked as they sat at the tiny galley table and ate elbow to elbow

Ford wrapped an arm around her neck and pulled her in close "Perfection"

Turning her face into his chest, Mia closed her eyes and ignored the burn in her throat as he stroked her hair

It was going to be okay, she told herself Somehow, it would So she’d uy who hadn’t fallen back Welco you should know, Mia," Ford said quietly

She lifted her head "What?"

"Actually, it’s more a confession than a what," Tara said