Mia Found (Starting Fires Book 3)

by Makenzie Smith

  “Get some rest, Paul.”

  “You, too.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  ONE WEEK CAME AND went. Just a few more days, he’d said. Paul’s late night phone calls had tapered off. I’d lie in his bed, waiting, longing, but the calls never came. The most he gave me was a morning text message and sometimes another in the late afternoon.

  A part of me wanted to throw a fit and demand he make time for me, but I couldn’t be that girl. It felt egotistical. He needed space to accomplish what he needed to, and even though I wasn’t used to it, with each passing day I understood what it meant to be with Paul.

  If I wanted the sweet, tender moments, I’d have to accept the late hours and stressful weeks. He’d make it up to me. And who knew, maybe one day he’d have to return the favor. Maybe one day I’d be the one stuck at the office, pouring over art pieces while he twiddled his thumbs at home.

  This is what love is, I told myself. Sacrifice. Work. Forgiveness.

  Gladys hired a new employee and the two of us immediately butted heads. Since her first day, she’d made it her mission to assert her dominance. She was also an unapologetic suck up. When Gladys engaged her with New Age studies of crystals or meditation, she’d smile and ask questions, sounding thoroughly interested, but as soon as Gladys walked away, she’d huff and say something rude under her breath.

  It made me strangely protective. Gladys was a “wacko” but she was my wacko.

  My shift was ending, and I was grateful. I couldn’t stand to watch Yazra’s fake smile and put on laugh any longer. I waved to Gladys and went home to Paul’s.

  Ferdinand and I went for a walk. It had turned out to be my favorite thing about the day. Paul’s complex was beautifully landscaped and his neighbors were all friendly. I met Mr. Schumacher, a crotchety old man who watered his small garden every afternoon. He wore a scowl and looked at you with small beady eyes, but if you asked him about his azalea’s his face changed. Now when I walked past his home, he gave me a wave and a bright smile.

  Mrs. Harriet was a middle aged woman who loved cats. She knew how stereotypical her obsession was and found the humor in it. She’d dress them in ridiculous outfits and take their pictures on the grass, laughing at how silly they looked.

  Ferdinand and I were walking by her house. A white, fluffy cat was dressed as an astronaut, cautiously stepping around the grass. I smiled and gave her a wave.

  Paul’s townhouse was just around the corner, and all the breath left me as I made the turn. He was standing on the sidewalk in front of his door. I watched him knock on the wood, and wondered why? Maybe he’d lost his key?

  I squinted. No. This man’s shoulders were too broad. His hair wasn’t the right cut. He turned and I saw his profile.

  Rick.

  I hesitated, wondering what he could be doing here. Paul’s brother noticed me standing down the sidewalk and waved. When he started moving towards me, my feet found their purpose and I went to meet him.

  “Hey,” he said with a bright smile. “It’s good to see you again.”

  “Hey,” I said warily.

  “Is Paul home? I was hoping to talk with him.”

  I made my way towards his house, hoping Rick would leave and I could be rid of him. “Afraid not,” I said over my shoulder. “He’s in Florida.”

  “Oh.” His steps fell in beside mine. “Well, when does he get back.”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Really? You’d think his girlfriend would know when he’d be coming home.”

  He was smiling. I could feel it even though I wasn’t looking at him.

  “Well, he’s busy,” I said, putting the key in the lock. “Try calling him. It was nice seeing you.”

  Instead of accepting my goodbye, he walked right into the house with me.

  “I did try to call him,” he said, sitting on his couch. “But he won’t answer.”

  I wonder why.

  He looked over at me, staring too intently. “What?” I asked.

  “How old are you?”

  My brow furrowed. Why did he want to know?

  He smiled. “You just look young.”

  “Twenty-two,” I said, reaching down to unleash Ferdinand.

  Rick laughed. “Lucky asshole. Nearly a whole decade younger than him.” His eyes raked down my body and I had a sick, creeping feeling travel down my spine. There was no question he was picturing me in various forms of undress.

  “Yeah, well we don’t talk about it much,” I said, moving to the kitchen—not because I needed anything, but because I didn’t want him watching me.

  “You might not talk about it,” he said, “but he’s definitely thinking about it.”

  Rick was quiet, sitting on the couch and staring off into space. I made a glass of water and sipped it while I leaned against the counter.

  “Are you two coming to the wedding?” he called from the living room.

  “I don’t know,” I answered.

  “That’s really why I’m here. Marjorie thinks it’ll be bad luck if Paul and I are still angry with each other.”

  I hoped Paul wouldn’t go. Their marriage deserved some bad luck. Rick’s feet shuffled on the carpet and then he slowly walked into the kitchen, peering at me.

  “Why are you hiding in here?” he asked, and his smile made me frown. Rick and Paul looked just enough alike, but the small differences screamed out to me. His smile was smooth, calculated. Paul’s was shy and honest. Rick’s eyebrows were harsh, and his body too broad. His hands looked hard and aggressive. Why would Marjorie choose this over Paul?

  “I’m not hiding,” I said. “Just drinking some water.”

  He took another step into the kitchen and I pulled my phone out of my pocket acting as natural as possible. Quickly, I typed a message to Paul. Your brother’s here. In your townhouse.

  The shrill ringing of Rick’s phone stopped him from taking another step towards me. “Well, look who it is? Hey Paul,” Rick said into his phone and a mix of emotions passed through me. On the one hand, I was glad Paul had called him, if only so Rick would leave me alone. On the other, I’d texted him several times the last week and never received a response. I’d chalked it up to him being too busy, but now I knew he was at least receiving them.

  “No, it’s cool. We’re just talking…A-huh…Yeah. I didn’t know you were in Florida.” Rick rolled his eyes and looked at me. “I’ll see you later, Mia.” He walked out the door and I locked it, not wanting him to make a surprise return visit.

  After he left, I checked my email and saw that the one of the positions I’d applied for had been filled. With a sigh, I leaned back on the couch and stared at the ceiling. There was no familiar crack running along it and that depressed me. I wanted my crack.

  The thought made me chuckle. Ferdinand lay beside me, and for the next few minutes, I soothed myself by rubbing the fur atop his head.

  When my phone vibrated, and I saw Paul’s name on the screen, I sighed. He was only calling me because his brother had just been here.

  “Hey,” I answered.

  “Hey,” he said. “Are you all right? Did he bother you?”

  “It’s fine. He said he was looking for you.”

  “Yeah…well…” he trailed off and I could feel his agitation. “He shouldn’t have done that. What did he say to you?”

  “You want to know everything he said?”

  “Yes. I just…”

  This had to be hard for him. Obviously he had reasons to resent his brother. I didn’t know if it would be better to omit some of his comments or be completely honest. Knowing I’d want the same from him, I told him the truth. “He asked where you were. He wanted to know why I didn’t know when you’d come home. He asked me how old I was. Called you a lucky a-hole. He was in the kitchen with me when you called him.”

  Paul sighed. “Did he…did he make a pass at you?”

  “No,” I said. “He didn’t.”

  He blew out a breath, but then I heard a woman’s v
oice in the background. “Be right there,” he said to her. “I have to go finish some things,” he said, “but I’ll call you as soon as I get off tonight.”

  “Okay,” I said. Even though I knew better than to hope, I waited all night for his call. It never came, but a text message did.

  It was right after 10 p.m. Just made it in. Lying in bed thinking of you. Check your email.

  I did and found a roundtrip ticket to Panama City in my inbox. The flight left in two days, returning a week later. I smiled. He was making it up to me, just as I knew he would.

  See you then, I said.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  BEFORE I LEFT TO meet Paul, Gladys took me into her office and sat me down, her hands holding mine. “This will be a blessed trip for you,” she said. “The stones have told me.”

  “Oh. Well, that’s wonderful,” I said. “Are you sure you don’t mind me leaving?”

  “Darling, love is more important than this store.” She stroked my face and I flinched, not expecting it, but chuckled through the awkwardness.

  “The stones told me something else, too.”

  I sighed. Of course they did. “And what was that?”

  “Just…let your heart be open, Mia.”

  Despite how silly I thought she was, I smiled. When it came to Paul, my heart was always open. “I can do that.” After giving her a tight hug, I left the store in the care of Yazra.

  Paul’s mother had reluctantly agreed to watch Ferdinand while I visited Paul, and she’d be arriving later that night. With my suitcases packed, I kissed the tip of Ferdinand’s nose and drove to the airport. I was landing at 9 p.m. and felt tense. After weeks, I was finally going to see him again and couldn’t wait.

  Sitting by the window watching the planes take off, my legs jumped in nervous twitches. He’d texted me and said he would meet me at the baggage claim and my heart pumped with excitement.

  Paul and me in Panama City. Right on the beach. How much time would he have to give me?

  I boarded the plane and sent him a quick message. Taking off in a bit. I’ll see you soon. XO

  He responded almost immediately. Can’t wait!

  In four hours I would be with Paul again. I’d missed him terribly. I missed his touches and his kisses. I missed the way he smiled at me. I wanted so badly to hold his hand.

  We landed later than expected and I rushed off the plane. The airport was a maze and I got lost as I tried to find my baggage claim. After minutes of searching, I finally saw the sign and turned the corner.

  I spotted Paul well before he did me.

  He was sitting on a bench, looking down to the ground. His hand rubbed his neck, and his face was shielded, but I knew it was him.

  Paul wore soft, brown trousers and a cream colored shirt with purple pin stripes. His wrist watch glistened in the bright light of the lobby. Slowly, I walked towards him, wanting him to see me.

  With a sigh, he sat back on the bench and glanced at his watch. I smiled at the lethargic way his limbs moved. He was so tired. Always. I’d make sure while I was here, he received plenty of rest and relaxation. His hand went to his hair, rubbing it through the soft locks. He turned in my direction but didn’t see me right away.

  At first he noticed my shoes, squinting as they registered recognition. His stare traveled up my legs until reaching my eyes.

  “Finally,” he smiled and rose from the bench. He jogged to me and wrapped me in a deep hug. With my head in his chest, I took a great inhale, trying to catch as much of his subtle scent as I could.

  Paul chuckled, and then cradled my face. “It’s so good to see you,” he said. My hands went to his waist as he gave me a soft peck.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “A little.”

  He took my hand and walked to the baggage claim. “Let’s grab your suitcase, and I’ll get you some food.”

  While we waited, he kept his hands close, always on my hip or running through my hair. He looked at me with so much love and my heart warmed.

  “Has today been long for you?” I asked.

  “Horrible,” he said. “But I have good news.” Smiling, I turned into him. “After tomorrow, I’m all yours. I’ll be free this whole week. Our condo is right on the beach.”

  “A whole week?” I asked. “No work?”

  “Yep,” he said, pulling me close. “And I’ll get to come home with you.”

  I threw my head back. “Yes!” I said. “Silent, busy Paul sucks.”

  He chuckled and kissed me on the tip of my nose. “I know.”

  We finally retrieved my bag and I asked him to stop at a fast food restaurant. My stomach rumbled and I scarfed down the burger and fries within minutes.

  “Geez,” he said. “When’s the last time you ate?”

  “I don’t think I did today. I was too excited.”

  When he said the condo was right on the beach, he’d meant it. His balcony had a clear view of the ocean. The windows brought in the salty air and I took a deep breath.

  It was nearly 10 and Paul was taking off his shoes, still trying to work out the tension in his neck. Without him asking me to, I went to the back of the couch and gave his neck a rub. He moaned loudly as I worked it out. “Geez,” he said. “I wish you could have been here the whole time. That’s been bothering me for days.”

  “I wish I could have, too,” I said. “Life is boring when you’re away.” His response was a soft nod of his head.

  After a few minutes, he grabbed my hand, and pulled me around to sit beside him. I saw how exhausted he was and offered him my lap. Grateful, he put his head there, and sprawled out on the couch. My fingers went to his hair and softly played with the strands, giving his scalp a good rub.

  He sighed under my ministrations. “Mia…”

  “Hmmm?”

  “I missed you so much.”

  His confession made butterflies flutter inside my stomach. I smiled, giving his head an extra-long massage. “Shh,” I said. “Get some sleep.”

  Within minutes he was out. I carefully maneuvered him off my lap and put a pillow beneath his head. I found extra blankets in a closet and draped the warmest one over him. He never stirred, his mouth hanging open.

  With the condo to myself, I explored the rooms. It had two bedrooms, but the largest was on the corner of the building, windows lining its walls. No matter where you were, the ocean stared back at you. His suitcase was on the floor, all of its contents still neatly arranged. Dress shirts and pants hung in the closet. I made myself at home, unloading my things and changing into my pajamas. So I didn’t disturb him, I shut the door to watch television.

  Paul’s phone was on the end table and lit up with new messages every few minutes. All of them from someone named Liza.

  Did you finish the Freidwick/Henderson balance sheet?

  I need it first thing in the morning.

  Paul?

  Listen, if you didn’t do it, fine, but I need to go over…

  Liza seemed high strung and I wondered if I should wake him. I crept back to the living room and saw that he’d moved. His face was buried in the pillow and his arms were flayed out at odd angles. There was no way I was rousing him. Liza would have to wait. He needed a good night’s sleep. And if I knew Paul, he’d finished it anyway.

  I kissed him on the head and crawled back into bed, ignoring the incessant buzzing from the end table.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  PAUL NUDGED ME AWAKE the next morning with a hand at my hip. It was barely light outside and already he was dressed. “What time is it?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.

  “Just after six. If I get to the office early, I’ll be able to come home sooner.”

  “Mmm...I like the sound of that.”

  He grinned and then grabbed his phone. I watched his brow furrow as he read through the messages he’d missed. “Shit,” he mumbled.

  “It everything okay?” I asked, knowing it wasn’t.

  “Yeah...mostly. Did you hear this going off
last night?”

  Guilt trickled into my stomach and I hoped he wouldn’t be angry with me. “Yes. I was going to wake you, but you were so tired. I couldn’t.”

  He sighed. “I guess I should have kept it with me.”

  I reached out and gave his arm a rub. “I didn’t get you into trouble, did I?”

  “It’s fine, Pretty,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “She’ll just be mad this morning.”

  He stood and I sat up. “When do you think you’ll get off?” I didn’t have a car or even know where anything in this city was. Without Paul, I’d be stuck in the condo all day.

  “I’m shooting for noon. Think you’ll be okay until then?”

  “Don’t worry about me,” I said. “I’ll watch TV or something.”

  He smiled and walked towards the door. “Sleep in,” he said. “I’ll be back soon.” After I heard the front door close, I lay back in the bed and sleep came instantaneously.

  The sun was bright and beaming into the windows. It was 10 a.m. and I nestled the pillow underneath my head, gazing out to the sky. We were too high for me to see the ocean from the bed, but the sky was a perfect blue. With a stretch, I forced myself up and walked to the windows, opening all of them. A cool breeze blew in and I grinned out to the ocean. Below, I saw people mulling about the beach, barely able to make out their towels and umbrellas.

  Excited and giddy, I showered and dressed for the day, making sure to put on something extra special for Paul. Nothing extravagant, but I wanted to look different when he saw me. I pulled out a white dress and slipped it on. The shoulder straps were thin, and the top cinched below my breast. It flowed out, resting just below my knee. It was very beachy.

  To pass the time, I watched television until I couldn’t anymore. I made myself lunch. I tried to read books I found in the spare bedroom, but it was difficult to concentrate. My eyes drifted to the wall clock every few minutes. It now read 12:00.

  Noon.

  Paul should be home soon. My phone remained silent and I considered calling him, but stopped myself. It was only one more day. After this, he’d be all mine for the week. All I had to do was put up with this for a little longer.