Allie sat down but looked at her oddly as she handed Mia her salad and utensils. “Why are we being so formal?”
“Are we?” Mia asked in response.
“Uh, yes,” Allie answered with an added eye-roll for emphasis.
Mia laughed. “I thought we were going to eat lunch.”
“We are, but there’s more to it. Normally, we eat in the kitchen or on the patio by the pool. This is so a working lunch. You sneak!”
“Well . . .” Mia started, finding herself a little nervous to relay what she wanted to Allie.
“Shit, what now?” she exclaimed, her fork stopping halfway to her mouth.
“Huge changes, Allie!”
Mia was too excited to eat and pushed her salad aside.
“How big?”
“I think it is time for me to return to Chicago.”
“For how long?” Allie asked, totally in business mode, stabbing at her salad.
“Yeah, I don’t know. For the foreseeable future. I’m going to need a lot of things shipped there. And, uh, I kind of need you to come with me.”
“Yeah, I knew that was coming,” Allie said before taking another bite of her food.
Mia worried that Allie may not want to go with her. She needed her support—just in case. She needed the strength that Allie provided, because there was a possibility that this would not turn out how Mia wanted. Especially after she told Ethan everything. All the things she had kept from him. All the things she’d done that he didn’t know about. She needed Allie in her corner. She also needed Luke and would get to him in a bit.
“So?” Mia asked expectantly, needing Allie’s answer.
“Of course, I’ll come with you. But why now?”
“I need a change of pace. Think of it as a vacation.”
Allie rolled her eyes. “Though I’ll be working.”
“Not as much,” Mia laughed.
“When do you want to leave?” Allie inquired as she pulled out her phone.
“By the end of the week. Or is that too soon?”
Allie studied her phone and Mia was pretty sure her manager was studying her calendar, calculating what could and couldn’t be rescheduled or canceled all together. Finally, with a smile, Allie spoke. “We should be able to do that.”
“Yay! I’m excited!”
Relief coursed through her with Allie’s confirmation. Mia stabbed at her salad. Things were going to start moving quickly. Her one step at a time was going to end up unfolding at a record-breaking 100-meter dash speed. But she wasn’t going to stop now.
No way in hell.
Chicago, March 2011
Allie and Mia arrived to a sparkling clean brownstone. The house didn’t look like it had been empty for well over a year. The covers were off the furniture and the whole place smelled amazing. Not stale like she’d been expecting. Thank God Allie always thought of everything.
Mia’s first stop was the side-by-side full-size freezer and glass fridge. She saw all the goodies right when she walked in. Totally stocked with all their favorite foods.
When they had moved to California, Allie had given up her apartment in Chicago. So instead of having her get another one, Mia had Allie stay with her and set her up downstairs. At one time it was a self-contained apartment, but Mia hadn’t needed that. She’d converted the space into a large guest suite, a home theater with a bar, plus a secured storage room for all her music and memories. All the videos she had taken, all the journals she had written from the very first one at the age of thirteen to now. She didn’t want anyone getting their hands on any of those.
Allie left Mia upstairs in the family room while she went downstairs to settle in. Having Allie there with her, being the huge support she had been since the day Mia met her, was everything to Mia. But it didn’t stop the memories from pressing their way into the forefront of her mind. It had been almost three years since Ethan had been in her home, yet she still felt his presence there.
All those memories rushed at Mia, physically pushing her to the floor as she remembered all the good times here with him. Waking up wrapped in his arms. Cooking for him while he sat at the island watching her. Being lazy and vegging on the family room sofa watching TV together, snuggled up close to him.
All those simple, everyday sort of things.
Mia had let her fear of him abandoning her erase all those wonderful aspects of being with him. She would not let that happen again.
Pulling herself up off the ground, Mia took a deep, cleansing breath and went about getting settled in her home.
First on her list was a new car, since her old Pathfinder, after years of neglect, would no longer start. She got herself a white Range Rover and also purchased a black Cadillac Escalade for Allie to use while there.
With the cars taken care of, Allie handled contract negotiations. The band had fulfilled their previous one and with their huge success were now asking for more freedom. Mia needed a lot more flexibility with this new contract, and if everything went like they hoped, it could really change things for them all—in a direction they all wanted.
Before a small impromptu show at the Double Door, they had a quick band meeting to discuss their collective objectives and then put it in Allie and Marty’s more than capable hands . . . as well as the band’s official lawyer, if Marty would let him talk.
While Allie took care of that, Mia shopped for Kaitlyn’s birthday the following week. She planned on being there for it since the last time she saw Kaitlyn and Luke was two Christmases ago. She missed them. If she was living here in Chicago, she could see them a hell of a lot easier than living in L.A. and she could see them more often. One big check for being back.
Mia could get past all the bad memories. She was ready.
So Mia found herself walking into the kitchen a few days later on a mission. Allie sat at the kitchen island, eating her trademark salad while browsing her phone.
It’s go time, Mia thought, but she needed her friend’s help.
“Hey Allie. I need a favor.”
“What’s up?” she asked, looking up from her phone.
Mia breathed deeply and took a huge step towards her future. “Can you get me two tickets for the Flash game this Friday? Preferably box seats if possible. I really don’t want to be seen. And uh, could you get me a suite at one of the hotels downtown, starting Thursday?”
“Indefinitely?” Mia could sense Allie’s excitement. She wanted this for her.
“Yeah,” Mia responded, letting the contained smile come to her face. Allie grinned along with her. “I have some unfinished business and I don’t know how long it will take, but I’ll be there until I’m finished with it, one way or another.”
“You’re going to get him back!” Allie said excitedly, jumping out of her chair and enveloping Mia in an exuberant hug.
Mia couldn’t help the big, dopey grin that crossed her face as she hugged Allie back.
Excited Allie released her and Business Allie took her place. “What about our trip to Los Angeles on Saturday?”
Shit . . . that one detail slipped her mind. Contract talks. She couldn’t postpone those. “Just switch my flight. I’ll be flying out of Indianapolis.”
“I will take care of everything!” Allie said with a wide smile.
“Let me know the details when you get them, all right?”
“You got it!” she said with a playful roll of her eyes. “God, I am so happy for you! It’s about time.”
“I know—way overdue.”
Allie then hugged her again. Mia closed her eyes to fight the tears that threatened. This was everything. She didn’t know exactly how she’d approach Ethan, but it would come to her eventually. More than likely with Luke’s help.
Indianapolis, March 2011
The last time Mia stood inside of Flash headquarters was the week she’d broken off her engagement to Ethan. She ran into Ethan that time. This time she didn’t want a repeat performance. She didn’t want her reunion with him to be in public. No.
Mia wanted privacy. She had things she wanted to continue. Like kisses . . . lots and lots of kisses.
She was here to see Luke. He didn’t know it yet, but he’d be helping her get Ethan back. He would hopefully be her support system at the game.
On her way, Mia had called Luke’s assistant, Betty, and told her of her plan to surprise Luke. Betty snuck her into the building and to his office. With a silent thank you to Betty, Mia now stood in his doorway, studying her best friend as he worked at his desk. He had changed his hair—again. She swore his hair was different each time she saw him. This time, he wore it much shorter, styled messily. Though it could be from him running his hands through it. She knew him better than that—it was completely intentional.
God, she’d missed him like crazy. Another facet of her life that would be changing.
“You change your hairstyle more than any woman I know,” Mia said, taking satisfaction as his head whipped up from his papers. She grinned at those wonderful, hazel eyes of his wide with shock. Stepping further into the office, she made sure to close the door behind her. She definitely didn’t want anyone to overhear what she might say.
“Fuck! What are you doing here?” he exclaimed, hurriedly getting out of his chair. He rounded his desk and reached for her hand, pulling her soundly into his embrace.
Mia burrowed her head into his chest, savoring his solid strength. She inhaled, smiling as she smelled his familiar scent—the cologne she got for him on their very first Christmas together. He had been buying it ever since.
Backing away a little, her hands resting on his forearms, she raised her gaze to his sparkling eyes. The eyes that could always get her to smile as they did now. She twitched her lips before speaking.
“A lot of reasons. First, and the most important reason, to see you. Second, to ask you to the game tomorrow night if you’re not already going.”
“I was already going, but I would much rather go with you. Any other reasons?”
She smiled, knowing he was fishing to see whether she was going to see Ethan. He thought he knew her so well . . . whatever, he did and because he was such a smart-ass, she would play with him—just a bit. “Third, to see your amazing daughter.”
“That can be arranged.”
“Good!” she announced, happy for that.
“That’s it? No other reason?”
She laughed. “And fourth, get Ethan back.”
“About damn time!” he exclaimed, pulling her back into his arms.
Having his support gave her the strength to not talk herself out of this. That regardless of what happened with Ethan, she still had Luke.
She gave him a hard squeeze and voiced some fears, her words slightly muffled by his chest. “I’m so nervous, Luke. What if it’s too late?”
“Granted, it did take you a hell of a long time to get to this point, but that’s just how you do things.”
She leaned back and stuck her tongue out at him before stepping out of his embrace. He did have a point.
“Mia, it’s not too late.”
Turning her gaze to the large window behind his desk, she responded quietly. “I sure hope you’re right.”
He stood behind her and rested his chin on her shoulder. “It is time, sweets. I want to see my best friend happy again. Do what it takes to get him back in your life. I will support you in any way I can,” he said, kissing her cheek to emphasize his point.
With Luke by her side, she didn’t feel as uncertain as she had when she’d arrived.
She could and would do this!
Mia
Mia stood in the lobby by the front entrance, waiting for Luke. He said he would be there by seven, but of course, on the night she was going to see Ethan, he was running late. Yeah, not helpful for keeping a positive outlook.
Despite what Luke had said earlier that it wasn’t too late, that it was time, and all that mumbo jumbo, she was still nervous. She chose going to Ethan’s game first so she could see him without him knowing. Mia thought that would help with some of the nerves she had. Get the initial viewing out of her system so when she saw him face to face, she’d be more confident.
Even with that as her intent, her nerves were freaking ridiculous, her stomach a big, old knot. She rocked herself back and forth on the balls of her feet while she waited for her late best friend to arrive.
Her body did an internal “yay” when Luke’s SUV pulled up in front of the hotel. Mia stepped outside and he opened the door for her from the inside.
That’s chivalry for you, she chuckled. At least he opened it.
She stopped at the door and did a quick pose. “How do I look?” she asked him nervously, standing in a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, a pair of brown leather boots, and a cream, chenille sweater. Her hair was in another messy ponytail—her go-to style. She was very good, almost a pro at this style. Messy came natural to her.
“You look beautiful as always. Don’t worry.”
Did he not know who he was talking to?
She hopped in the car and they were off. They weren’t far from the stadium, but traffic was a bitch. Luckily Luke had a special parking pass. Perks of working for the team. He parked the car and they made their way inside.
The rush of noise hit her like a truck. Playoff excitement at its extreme. Tonight, the Flash were up against the Colorado Mountaineers. If the Flash won, they were going to the Championship game next week here in Indianapolis. They inched and squeezed their way to their box on the lower suite level. Luke bought some beers and food on their way up to the box, and they were the only ones using it. Allie had done very well, as always. How the hell she did that, Mia could only wonder.
Luke and Mia settled down in a couple of seats on the outside of the box. She nervously picked at the bun of her hot dog while she waited for the game to begin. She hadn’t seen Ethan play in person since before they broke up. She grasped Luke’s hand in a vice grip as the announcer introduced the team, the crowd roaring. He squeezed her hand and leaned over to kiss her forehead.
“Nervous?”
“Uh, yes!” She stood to see better, and her legs felt like rubber when Ethan ran onto the field. He was magnificent in his dark blue jersey with the number three in light gray to match the gray of his tight pants. “Oh, my God!” she murmured and sat back down.
Before she knew it, the kickoff had happened and the Mountaineers had the ball. Her gaze stayed fixed on Ethan the entire time, taking in his game mannerisms. He was so focused, determined. He wanted this win and she prayed that he got it.
While watching the game, Mia chewed on her thumb in between sips of beer. The only time the nerves left her was during the fan appreciation skits during breaks in play. Besides making her laugh, they took her mind off of Ethan and the game.
During the second quarter, whoever controlled the stadium camera panned a shot near and around their luxury box and Mia saw herself briefly on the Jumbotron. She hoped no one had noticed her. She had wanted to keep a low profile and didn’t want to announce to the world that she wanted Ethan back. Not yet anyway.
Focusing her attention towards the field, Mia found Ethan and had the eeriest feeling that he had looked right at her. For a moment, she thought she’d seen recognition in his eyes.
At half-time, the Flash walked to the locker room up by thirteen. She took a deep breath and let her body relax for the next fifteen minutes. His games were always nerve-wracking events to her.
Luke and Mia were watching the half time festivities when Luke’s phone buzzed. He looked at it, smiled, and then excused himself.
“I’ve got to take care of this,” he said, walking inside the private box. Who was that, she wondered? Did he have a girlfriend? God, she had been so wrapped up in her own life she hadn’t even asked him. She regarded him talking on the phone and then looked down at her ring-less finger and sighed, feeling very much alone.
What’s the point of it all if she didn’t get to share it with the person she loved more than anything? God, she needed
this to work out. Mia hoped after she told Ethan all the stuff she never had that he would still want her. That she could have that happily-ever-after she’d pushed away all those years ago.
“Want anything? I’m going to get another beer,” he yelled from the box.
“Sure. Get me the same as you.”
Mia decided to check her messages on her phone while she waited for Luke to return instead of letting herself dwell on something that she had no control over right now. Marty had replied back to her text and then there was one from Allie. She texted Allie first.
Allie
March 4, 2011 840 PM
Nice seats?
How did you score these? Great seats. No one with us.
It cost you.
Do I even want to know?
No. Might want to reconsider that new movie script.
Ouch.
Enjoying yourself?
No—this is torture. He looks like a god. I’m a nervous wreck.
Remember your outcome. It’ll all be worth it.
:) I know. Thanks for everything. See you Saturday night.
Allie was right, of course. When was she ever wrong? Never. She closed out of that text and scrolled down to Marty’s.
Marty
March 4, 2011 850 PM
You’re meeting us in LA?
Yes. I’m taking a detour. ;)
You nervous about the contract negotiations?
Only if you are. I told you what I wanted.
I’m not nervous. I’m pretty sure we’ll get what we want and more.
You’re pretty confident.
I am.
What are your thoughts about the break?
Oh I’ve been ready for one of those for a couple years. It’s hard work keeping up with you. ;)
Mia dropped the phone to her lap after she re-read Marty’s last text. She’d never known he’d wanted a break. He never said anything each time she was ready to record. He was always on board. She never thought differently . . . until now.
I’m sorry :(
Don’t be. It’s been an amazing ride. We’ll take a nice, long break, and when we return, it’ll be even better.
Still Into You Page 28
