12
Mia
“Okay. Game plan.” Amelia walks beside me as we make our way toward the coffee shop.
“We need a game plan?” I look over at her. She dressed in all black, her blonde hair in a high wavy ponytail. I can tell from her face that she already has this game plan mapped out so there is going to be one. “I’m going to sit in the back of the coffee shop and watch. If you need me scratch your head.”
I reach up, scratching my head. “Yep, just like that.”
“Now that you said scratch your head that’s all I want to do.” I scratch my head again. This is a terrible game plan. This guy is going to think that I have an issue.
“Okay, you’re right.” Now she scratches her head. “How about you do this?” She reaches for her earlobe giving it a pull. “But more sly.”
“’Cause I’m sly?” I laugh.
“Fine. How about-”
“Let’s go with the ear thing. It’s fine.” We’d be at this all day and we are almost to the coffee shop now.
“Now if he orders a blueberry muffin to go with his coffee you just walk out. That’s disgusting.”
“I like blueberries.” I defend the fruit. Wait, is that a fruit?
“Yeah, but would you order a blueberry muffin over a chocolate chip one?”
“Well, no. That’s crazy.”
“See. Then you’ll know he’s crazy and you get the hell out of Dodge.” She gives a firm nod as if that is science and can’t be argued. I’m not sure I can argue her point right now, so I let it go.
“He paid over a million dollars to get me to have coffee with him. We’ve more than passed the crazy line.” I pause as we round the corner to the coffee shop, suddenly feeling nervous.
“Why’d we stop walking?” she asks, looking around.
“I just got nervous.” I wring my hands. My last date didn't go so well. I kind of hope this one turns out like that one and he doesn't show. I doubt that though. He’s worked hard to get me to agree to a date. That is the part of this that has me so nervous. Maxwell Kennedy was adamant about this date happening. I should honestly be really creeped out by it but a small part of me is flattered. It didn’t help that I couldn’t stop thinking about him since I first heard his voice.
“He said he’d have flowers?” Amelia confirms.
“Yeah, but he didn't say what kind.”
“I don’t think people are just carrying around flowers at coffee shops.”
“True.” I bite my lip. This isn't helping.
“Stay put. I’m going to take a peek.” Before I can respond she darts one block down and looks into the front window of the coffee shop. She’s not the most subtle and I’d laugh at her pushing her face against the glass if I wasn't so nervous. Whatever she sees surprises her. She turns, stomping back to me. “That motherfucker.”
“What the hell?” I start to panic. What does she see? “I’m so stupid.” She face palms herself. “Kim is Kimmy’s Lingerie. I knew she started a company but I didn't know it was off and running or that she named it that.” I have no idea what she is talking about. “Maxwell Kennedy; Max for short. He’s her brother.”
She pulls out her phone as things slowly start to click together for me. Maxwell Kennedy is the man I’m meeting today. The one who owed the giant debt. “Wait. The guy who stood me up is the same guy who I’m meeting at the coffee shop? Am I putting that together right?” I can’t believe it as it all comes together for me.
“Yep.” Her fingers move across her phone quickly and I know she’s texting Kim now.
“This is weird and confusing. How the hell did we miss this?” I say while trying to catch my breath. Holy crap. I get my nerves under control and then the anger starts to seep in. Little by little it blooms inside of me.
“She’s not responding. She must be busy. I’m sorry. I don’t know how I didn’t put it all together.” Amelia sighs. “What do we do now?”
“We go and get my hot chocolate?” I suggest. What has really changed? He’s a big jerk. I’ll suffer through the date and get my commission. I won’t feel so guilty about it now. I start walking toward the coffee shop. Amelia’s hot on my heels as I pull the door open. My eyes go straight for the man that has a bunch of flowers lying on the table. His dark green gaze lands on me. For a moment I’m frozen by his stare and something whirls inside of me, warming me from the inside out.
“Don’t forget the ear thing.” Amelia nudges me, bringing me back to reality. Max stands as I approach the table. Amelia walks right past him. He doesn't even look her way so he doesn't see her give him the finger. I smile at her action but I think this jerk assumes I’m smiling at him.