CHAPTER 11
Mia
STANDING IN THE open door to my car, with the early morning air chilling my skin and my lips still tingling from Talon’s kiss, my hands resting on his chest and his arms wrapped around my waist. “You know in order for me to leave, you have to let me go.”
“I know. I’m trying to talk myself into it,” he says, making me laugh while my insides flutter with happiness. “I’ll be home around six tonight if you wanna come for dinner.”
“I’m not sure I can.” I fiddle with one of the three small buttons at the collar of his thermal. “My mom and Chaz should be here this afternoon, and I don’t know if Cece is working.” I lift my chin and meet his gaze. “But if I can get away, I will.”
Giving me an approving squeeze, he bends his head and touches his mouth to mine before releasing me. I get into my car, and as he shuts the door, I start the engine and roll down the window.
“Message me when you get home.”
“I will,” I agree, smiling against his mouth when he leans in to kiss me once more. When he steps back, I reverse out of my spot and head for the road, giving him a wave as he lifts his chin. I don’t know how I can miss him already but I do.
I get home at ten to seven, early enough that the girls are probably still in bed, which will make it a little less awkward. I let myself in, and both Retro and Mercury spring up to greet me, so I squat down and kiss their squishy faces. “I missed you too. Next time, you guys will come with me.” I stand after giving them one last rub and stop when I see Cece standing at the end of the hall.
“Look what the cat dragged home.” She gives me a knowing smirk before turning for the kitchen, where it smells like she’s cooking bacon.
After setting down my bag, I follow her and take a seat on one of the stools, accepting the cup of coffee she passes me. “I should have called you last night to tell you that I was staying out, but honestly, I passed out and—”
“I’m sorry,” she cuts me off, looking down at herself. “Did I suddenly become your mother that you need to check in with?” she asks, and I roll my eyes. “Mia, you’re a grown woman. You don’t have to check in with me, and it’s not like I didn’t know where you were or who you were with.” She turns for the stove, where bacon is sizzling in a pan. “So I’m guessing, since you’ve stayed with him two nights in a row, things are getting serious?”
I pick up my cup and take a sip of coffee, needing a moment to think about how to respond. The truth is we’ve only really had two dates, but in the short time I’ve known him, I’ve opened up more than I have with any other man I’ve been with. “Is it weird I want to say yes?”
“Why would it be weird?” she asks, looking at me over her shoulder. “If it’s how you feel, it’s how you feel.”
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I haven’t known him long.”
“How long do you think you need to know someone before you know them?”
“I don’t know. A while.” I shrug again.
“Mia, you can think you know someone and not have a clue who they are. Do you think I ever in my wildest dreams thought Mike would cheat or start dating someone else before we’ve even signed divorce papers?”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“About what?”
“Mike’s dating? Like really dating? I mean, I knew he had that woman over last weekend, but I didn’t know he had a girlfriend.”
“He’s in love.” She rolls her eyes as she takes the bacon out of the pan, placing it on a paper towel. “Tammy was over again yesterday for lunch with the girls. Ruby is obsessed with her, because she likes the same games she does, and Kate thinks she’s pretty.”
“And Lola?” I ask, watching her expression fill with concern.
“Lola is having a hard time with all this, but she’s also my girl who has rooted for every Disney princess to find her Prince Charming. She’ll be okay.”
“And are you okay about him dating and having someone around the girls?” I ask, and she comes to stand in front of me and leans into the counter.
“I’m not exactly okay with him having a woman around my girls, but we talked about it, and he assured me they aren’t alone with her and that if it wasn’t serious, he wouldn’t have her around them. I don’t want to make things harder for the girls by getting ugly or petty. They’re dealing with enough. They don’t need to see or hear their dad and me fight. Truthfully, I’m just trying to focus on my future and happiness.”