Mia Found (Starting Fires Book 3) (29 page)

To brighten my spirits, he made an afternoon picnic for us in the backyard and we lay on a few towels to watch the sky. His hand stayed in mine and we purposefully didn’t discuss my inevitable departure. It was remarkable what you were capable of avoiding if the desire was strong enough.

Our cocoon grew. The sounds of the birds in the trees and the gentle swish of cars passing on the street provided a peaceful ambiance. It was just us.

The creaking of his back fence had us jerking up. We watched intently as someone made their way around the side of the house. I expected an elderly neighbor with cookies, not Liza.

“
Paul!” she called. “Garrett told me you moved in. I thought I’d come by to…Oh.” She noticed me and her face fell. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d have company.”

“
It’s Mia,” Paul said, rising from the grass. “She came over with me.”

“
Mia? Is she moving, too?”

Why didn’t Liza ever look at me when she spoke? She could have asked me directly, but instead pretended I wasn’t even there.

“
No,” I said. “Just saying goodbye.”

Her smile returned. “Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. How embarrassing. Walking right into a breakup.”

Paul chuckled in disbelief. “Not goodbye forever,” he said. “She’s heading back tonight. It’ll be a few weeks before we see each other again.”

Liza’s play at sympathy didn’t fool me. “That sucks. I’m sure it will all work out. Anyway, I brought something for you.”

“
Okay.
” Paul helped me from the grass and we went inside. She left to return to her car and I narrowed my eyes at Paul. “What?” he asked.

“
Does she…have a thing for you?”

His face contorted as if he’d never even entertained that thought. “I don’t think so. We work together a lot, but I don’t think she even likes me.”

It was the truth from his mouth, but still a lie. Paul might not see it yet, but her affection was clear. Before I could question him further, she came in with a wrapped box.

“
Here,” Liza said, smiling as she handed it over.

She bought him a housewarming present?
I hadn’t even thought of that.

“
Oh,” Paul said. “Thanks, Liza.” While she watched, he opened it, revealing a fancy set of wine glasses. “This is great. I don’t think I have any.”

He didn’t. I’d packed his entire kitchen myself.

“
I didn’t think so,” she grinned. “Bachelors never think of that sort of thing. Anyway, now you have some for when, uh, company comes over.”

One company. One person. You. Don’t even think about it Liza.
Besides, he wasn’t a “bachelor.” I had half a mind to offer to put them away, accidentally letting them slip through my fingers on the way to the cupboard.

Paul placed them on the counter. “Well, Mia’s plane is leaving soon. We need to get her ready. Thanks for coming by.”

Liza’s mouth moved in a minuscule pout before she smiled. “Of course. I’ll see you on Monday.”

After the door closed behind her, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t like her.”

“
No one does,” Paul said, spinning me around and lifting me into the air. We had 2 hours before I had to leave, and he carried me to his mattress, making all thoughts of her dissipate.

At 5 p.m. he drove me to the airport and walked with me to the security check-in.

“
Call me when you land,” he said.

I nodded, fighting off the tears.

“
And I, uh, I got you something.” Nervously, he handed me a rectangular box. We scooted away from the line and I opened it. Inside was a silver chain with three stones individually hanging from it. One was an amethyst. One a garnet. And the last an emerald.

Curious, I looked up at him.

“
Birthstones,” he said. “Mine, yours, and Ferdinand’s. Well, the best we can guess at Ferdinand’s. His previous owners weren’t sure.”

I hugged him so fiercely he rocked back. “It’s perfect. I’ll wear it every day.”

“
I love you,” he whispered into my ear.

“
I love you, too.”

After a few tears, I pulled away and went through security without looking back. I couldn’t.

My mother picked me up from the airport and scoffed at my red-rimmed eyes. “Relax, honey,” she said. “The way you’re carrying on, you’d think you were never gonna see him again.”

“
Just take me home,” I told her, my hand clutching the stones at my neck.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

AS PROMISED, PAUL ANSWERED his phone every time I called. He responded to my text messages within minutes. Usually, he was busy and couldn’t talk for long, but still…he made the time.

Faeries and Moonbeams
was in the dead season. For months we’d be skirting along the red. I knew what that meant. Gladys would have no choice but to cut my hours. My motivation to find a job couldn’t be stronger. I was willing to take anything, but everywhere I applied wasn’t hiring.

My mother let me wallow in grief for a few days before it was “time I earned my keep.” Even though I was hardly there, I was tasked with doing all the dishes, cleaning both bathrooms, sweeping, and vacuuming. I understood the need for responsibility, but she was certainly taking advantage of my predicament.

I didn’t dare complain. After my first mouthy protest she glared right at me and said, “Mia Lucille, this wouldn’t be happening had you taken a more practical major. How many times did I tell you? And now look at you. Forced to move back home and…”

I’d huffed and walked away, and didn’t need to be reminded again. Instead, I shut my mouth and did what she wanted.

“
It’s awful,” I told Paul late Friday night. He’d been gone for a week, and my transition hadn’t gone well.

“
Something will turn up,” he said. “I can ask around or…Mia…I don’t mind giving you money once a month if you can be happy. Really. It’s not a burden. I
want
to do it.”

I sighed. “No. It–it makes me feel weird.” We fell silent, both trying to solve my problem. After a moment, I grew tired of focusing so much on myself. “How was your first week?”

“
Not bad,” he said. “I have an advantage since I’ve been helping them. I know their system and already have a good relationship with the clients. But…it’s a lot. Maybe a little more than I thought I was taking on.”

“
More than it was just being here?”

“
Yeah. I’ll be working 60 hour weeks for a while. Once I catch up it will be better though.”

“
Does that mean…?” If he told me he couldn’t come home…

“
Don’t worry. I’ll be back in two weeks,” he said. “I’ve already told them I can’t work that weekend.”

I released a breath. “Good. I don’t know if I could make it longer than that.”

He chuckled. “I miss you, too, Pretty.”

After we said our goodbyes, I clutched a pillow to my chest and pretended it was him.

A week and a half had gone by and I was crouched over the computer at work, reading my emails. Another résumé had gone nowhere. Gladys was out purchasing more meditation candles and I was alone. Less than five people had been in today and I glanced at the cash drawer. Only two bought something. In truth, Gladys couldn’t afford me anymore.

Just after lunch, a well to do woman walked in. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun and her classy pencil skirt and pearls made her look completely out of place in this swanky shop. We specialized in bohemian attire or big, blousy shirts. Our jewelry was nearly all made from rocks or handcrafted from local artisans.

I smiled. “Can I help you find something?”

She pursed her lips as she eyed our wares. “Maybe,” she said. “I’m looking for some new and interesting artwork to put up in my bar. Doesn’t seem like you sell that sort of thing. But I like these.” She gestured to two of my paintings hanging on the wall.

One was a tall tree, the leaves all different colors. The other was the profile of a woman, her head flicked back with her multicolored hair flying behind her. Gladys had said they looked good together.

“
Those are mine,” I said. “I mean, I’m the artist.”

“
Really?” She smiled at me. “Do you have more?”

“
A few. What sort of thing are you looking for?”

“
Anything really. I just purchased this bar up the road. It was called Cowboys. We’re doing a revamp of it. I’d like to give it a facelift, bring in musicians, serve premium beverages, that sort of thing. This area is seriously lacking in decent bars.”

“
I just graduated,” I said. “I’m an art major.” I don’t know why I told her that, but I crossed my fingers and hoped it would mean something to her.

“
Do you own this establishment?”

I grinned. “No ma’am. I worked for Gladys through school and now until I find a permanent position somewhere.”

She brought a finger to her chin and tapped it while she thought about something. “Hmm. I’ll be back later,” she said and turned to leave, but whipped around before making out the door. “Ah, hell. Why not? Would you like to design the interior for the new bar? Being an art major, you have to be more experienced than I am. And what are you? 25? I could use someone around your age to help scout bands.”

“
Uh.” I fumbled for words like an idiot. “What does it pay?”

Her lips worked around as she thought it over. “$15 dollars an hour.”

What?
That was too good to be true. “Yes,” I said. “Absolutely. I’d love to.”

We shook on it and exchanged numbers. I would start the next day.