Sweet Hill Homecoming (Sweet Hill 1)

She wanted to scoff because she had a pretty bright hickey on her right breast that spoke volumes.

Of course, the way Tate was treating her right now, like a stranger, also spoke volumes. But Mia started to get the feeling that she had been played. From the moment Abby “offered peace” at the football game, this was all a set up.

And judging by the fire in Tate’s eyes and pissed off glare he was shooting at her, the set up was working in Abby’s favor. But Mia still didn’t see the need to defend herself since one, Tate wasn’t claiming her in the first place, and two it wasn’t professional. And if there was one thing she was determined to be, it was taken seriously.

“Can we focus, please?” Mia said. “Tatum where are your station’s bins located for the toy drive?”

He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her. “That’s all I have,” he said. “And I have to get back to work.”

“Great,” Mia mumbled. For not dating, she felt like she just got into a fight with her non-existent boyfriend.

“Oh, Tate?” Abby called and he stopped. “We on for dinner tonight?”

“Ah…”

“We were going to discuss your campaign. I’ve been talking with my father.”

“Sure,” Tate said and Mia tried not to let her blood pressure rise, but she was on the brink of either snarling or tears. Instead she pretended to study the paper Tate just handed her while he all but set up a date with another woman right in front of her.

“Great! Marco’s at seven,” Abby said.

He nodded and continued his stomp out. Abby all but preened at Mia.

“I have to run back to the hospital too,” Noelle said and patted Mia’s back. “Really great job, Mia.”

That one genuine smile made Mia’s otherwise shitty day just a touch better.

“Thanks, Noelle.”

“Well, this was eventful,” Mia said, digging her keys out of her purse.

“I couldn’t agree more.” Abby said.

“By the way, I called Corals Coat Factory to make sure the coats were set to ship and no one has received the paperwork from you yet.”

“I’m sending it off today,” Abby said.

“Great.” She turned on her heel and tried to tamp down her rage while focusing on not cussing someone out.

Professional. It’s all about being professional. Even if it all but killed her…or ignored her.

~

Mia wiped down the counter and took a moment to enjoy the stillness of the café. She was grateful to pick up the evening shift. After the debacle at the fire station, she could use the time at work to keep her brain busy.

Too bad it wasn’t busy.

Monday nights typically meant looking forward to the new week, but all she had been thinking about was the other night with Tate. One of the best Saturday nights she’d ever had. Too bad the follow up to that had been him making real date plans, in public she might add, with Abby fricking McAdams.

Mia slapped the washcloth on the counter. She never felt more lacking than when it came to that woman. Truth was, she was perfect for Tate. From her posture to her family to her pearls. She was his type. And everyone knew it.

Which made her, what?

She couldn’t think it. Mia had been called many things in her life. Most of which implied her being a promiscuous woman. Even if she was, so what? She was a woman who liked sex. She also liked sex with a connection. She had just never connected with anyone.

Until Saturday night.

The fact that she’d only had a couple of men didn’t seem to matter to her or anyone. People thought what they thought. She just wanted to be seen the way she felt inside.