Payback and a Bottle of Merlot: Like Sisters Series Book One (27 page)

Chapter Thirty Five

Mia woke Saturday morning alone in bed. She replayed the events from last night in her head and laughed out loud. The expressions on John Morrison and Jack’s faces, made every minute Mia was a bundle of nerves, worthwhile. And then there was Sasha. The way she bravely made her way to the stage, walking past everyone, to show her solidarity with Mia and Karen. Mia had to find out what she whispered in Jack’s ear. Whatever it was, sent Jack into a well-deserved tailspin. Mia laughed again as she called for Reggie, encouraging him to jump on the bed and wrestle before breakfast. Reggie on the bed? That was
so
forbidden when Jack was there. Life was starting over, brand new and wonderful. Mia reached for her cell phone on the side table. There were nine missed calls, seven messages and four texts, all from Jack. She looked at one text which said in a nutshell, he was fired last night because of her, and she would pay dearly for it. She quickly replied to one text saying the divorce proceedings would begin on Monday, his belongings would be sent to his brother’s house, and to never step foot on her property again. The locks would be changed today, and his idle threats didn’t scare her. The last thing she wrote was for Jack to go to hell where he belonged. Mia snickered and deleted the rest without listening to, or reading any of them.

She had a party to arrange this afternoon, and it was going to be a good one. All of her friends, neighbors, and their friends were welcome. By ten a.m. the locksmith was called, Reggie had been walked, and Mia was grocery shopping for chicken and burgers. The girls would take care of the rest. The locksmith showed up at noon and was finished by one p.m. He changed the code on the garage door opener and all the locks on the house.

The party was set to begin at two o’clock. Mia had plenty of time to shower, dress to impress, and relax a bit before her friends started arriving. She sat on the patio with a glass of iced tea. A lemon slice and two ice cubes bobbed up and down as she poked them with her straw. She thought back to the night in Florida when she created the event on her cell phone. The date to begin her new life without Jack was on her July calendar. She reached for her cell and opened the calendar icon. The event she created several months ago was there. The event showed three simple words—Start New Life. The date set was July 26. That was the day Mia picked, thinking she might be lucky enough to meet someone at Vic’s cousin’s wedding.
Hmmm… My life changed a week earlier than I hoped.
She deleted the old event and entered a new one for July 19th, today’s date. Three simple words again—Started New Life.

Everything was definitely changing for the better. It looked like Mia would get the life she dreamed of after all.
Aaron is a wonderful man who loves me unconditionally. Deep down, I think I’ve always loved him too. We’ll get married eventually and have kids. What more could I ask for? Life is wonderful.

The doorbell rang, pulling Mia out of her daydream. Reggie lay on the patio snoozing in the warmth of the sun. “Alright Reggie, it looks like we’re going to have a party,” Mia said, laughing as she walked through the house to answer the door.
It has to be Karen.

The party carried on all afternoon. Neighbors showed up that Mia hadn’t talked to in months. Employees from Morey’s and Bottoms Up stopped by, making the day even livelier. Music echoed through the neighborhood. Food, beer, wine and snacks were plentiful. Mia snapped pictures all day long, making sure the day would be memorable. She eventually found the opportunity to pull Sasha and Karen aside privately. “Sasha, we were wondering what you whispered to Jack last night. The stunned look on his face was like something I’d never seen before. Is it too personal or emotional to talk about? I don’t want to pressure you if it’s private,” Mia said, while holding Sasha’s hand. The three slipped away from the party and sat in Mia’s bedroom with the door closed.

“Sasha, you were so brave to come up there on the stage, walking past the entire crowd. That was the last thing we expected. How did you get the nerve?” Karen asked.

Sasha wiped her eyes. “It was the right thing to do. Jack had to be held accountable for his actions all these years. He had to realize what he lost.”

“Because he lost you?” Mia asked.

“Me? No, it wasn’t about me at all. I asked him how it felt to let, not just one, but two, of the most beautiful, loving and generous women slip through his fingers like he did. I told him he was nothing but a loser that never deserved either of you,” Sasha responded, with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Jack is just a man, and not a very nice one either. I’ll find someone else down the road. Right now, the only things important to me, are my new friendships and this wonderful town I’m living in.”

Mia and Karen had tears running down their cheeks too. Mia reached for the box of tissues on her nightstand and passed it around. The three of them laughed and cried together as they hugged each other.

“Sasha, you aren’t the only one here with new friends,” Mia said, with a sniffle. “Several months ago I didn’t know either of you. Karen didn’t know us, and Tina and Vic didn’t know you, or Karen. I guess we’re all lucky to have each other. C’mon, let’s go back outside and join the crowd.”

The three of them, arm in arm, mingled again on the patio with a yard full of new and existing friends. Mia called Morey over to snap a picture of Vic, Tina, Karen, Sasha and herself clinking their wine glasses together. They were now five, and they were like sisters.

Mia looked at her watch: 5:30 p.m. She pulled Karen away to a quieter place in the corner of the yard. “There’s somewhere I need to be, Karen. Would you mind being in charge? I’d love it if you would just spend the night and we can talk later when I get back.”

Karen laughed. “You take as long as you want, honey. You deserve today. Don’t worry about anything. I have this covered, sister.” Karen embraced Mia and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Just go, we’ll be fine.”

Mia looked back at the party that was going on in her own yard. She smiled the biggest smile she had in ages. Karen flashed a thumb’s up at her as Mia quietly slipped away. She drove in the direction of Aaron’s wonderful neighborhood. Oak Terrace Lane beckoned her, and she happily pulled into the driveway of the beautiful, storybook bungalow. She walked up the brick pavers and sat on the porch, looking out for just a moment. She wanted to feel alive again, and she did. Mia thumped the door knocker three times. A grin spread across her face when she heard footsteps approaching the door.

“Mia, what in the world are you doing here,” Aaron asked, with a puzzled look on his face. “I thought you had a party going on at your house.”

“Oh there is a huge party going on at my house, but there will be plenty more. There’s something I need from you, Aaron, right here, right now.”

His face lit up and the smile he wore warmed Mia’s heart. “Yes, Mia, what do you need?”

“I need you to ask me something.”

Aaron laughed out loud and responded, “It’s about damn time. Mia James, the beautiful love of my life, would you please have dinner with me?”

She kissed him softly before saying, “Yes Aaron, I’d love to, for the rest of my life.”

THE END

Book two in Like Sisters Series is available now at:

http://briamarche.com/books/

Be the first to be notified of new releases at:

http://briamarche.com/newsletter/

Visit my website at:

http://briamarche.com/

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My love, thanks and deep appreciation goes out to all of the people that have supported me from my initial dream of becoming a writer to reading the words “THE END” when I finished my very first novel. There were no scoffs, laughs or negativity. Family and friends continue to help me through constructive criticism, high fives, cheers and words of encouragement. From my editor and cover designer, to my formatter in a faraway country, you have made my journey so much easier. Erik, I appreciate you more than you could imagine. You have been there for me since before I wrote the very first word. Rochelle, you’re the best promoter I could ask for. Photographer, Karen Nelson made the “About the Author” photo of me look great. Plus she is an avid supporter, and my fun loving sister.