job prospects. Brooke had the advantage of living with a boyfriend who made plenty of money to support both of them, so she could afford to take her time before hitting the uncertain job market.
“Honestly, I’ve been so busy with my job hunt and move, I haven’t had time for much else.” Mia was ashamed to admit that she’d had trouble focusing on her work since Paul had dumped her.
Usually, all she had to do was close her eyes and she saw numbers and shapes dancing on the backs of her eyelids. It was how she used to put herself to sleep as a child. Some people made up stories; Mia thought about math.
But now when she tried it, all she could think about was Paul. Although it wasn’t really Paul she was obsessing over so much as her own mistakes. Their relationship was a math problem she’d gotten wrong, and her mind couldn’t stop trying to identify all the errors. Unfortunately, she was nowhere near as good at understanding people and their emotions as she was at math.
“But I’ll crack it,” she declared with more confidence than she felt. “A change of scenery should help.” That was what she’d been telling herself. Once she’d settled into her new place and her new job, she’d be able to concentrate on her proof again. She’d have no choice, because she wouldn’t have anything else to do.
The apartment door opened, and Brooke and Olivia’s boyfriends strolled in.
“What’s next?” asked Adam, who belonged to Olivia. “Any more stuff to go down yet?” He’d kindly offered his SUV to drive the donations over to one of the local women’s shelters.
“Those two boxes by the door.” Olivia rose up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Thanks, babe.”
“Yes, thank you so much for doing this,” Mia said, feeling an unexpected stab of melancholy. “I really appreciate the help.”
One of the many things she was struggling with was leaving her friends here in LA. Sure, they’d all try to keep in touch, but realistically she knew they’d most likely end up drifting apart eventually.
She was about to be on her own in a strange place with no support system. Phone calls and texts were all well and good, but they couldn’t help you move heavy boxes or come pick you up when your car broke down.
“No problem.” Brooke’s extravagantly handsome boyfriend, Dylan—who happened to be a model—tossed Mia a dazzling smile as he stooped to pick up one of the boxes. “We’re happy to help.”
Mia’s phone rang as the guys carried the next load out.
Shit. It was her dad calling her back, finally. Three full days later, and just hours before his anniversary party was due to start.
Grimacing, she pressed the phone to her ear. “Hey, Dad.”
Brooke and Olivia exchanged a quick glance, then grabbed two more boxes and followed the guys out the door to give Mia some privacy.
“I got your message,” her father said in his usual curt tone. “I don’t have a lot of time to talk. Mindy and I are hosting a party to celebrate our anniversary tonight. Five wonderful years.”
“I heard.” Mia rolled her eyes while trying to sound polite. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I’ll pass that on to her. I’m sure it will mean a lot.”
Mia doubted that, since she and Mindy had never bothered to hide their mutual indifference. Other than the fact that they were only five years apart in age, their disinterest in one another was the only thing they had in common.
“Was that all you wanted?” her father asked, as if Mia would have called solely to wish him a happy anniversary. “Things are chaotic here today.”
“Um, I guess I have some news to share.” Mia spoke quickly to get it over with: “I got a job—not a great one or anything, just a one-year contract as a visiting lecturer, but it’ll tide me over until I can find something better, hopefully.”
“Congratulations.” To describe her father’s tone as lukewarm would be generous. “Where?”
“Bowman University.”
There was a long, censorious pause. “Where’s that?”
“It’s outside Austin.”
Her father made a faint grunting sound that managed to communicate how unimpressed he was. “So you’re moving, I take it?”
“Next month.”
“Email Mindy your new address so she can update our holiday card list, will you?”
Sure. Because that was definitely everyone’s number one priority right now. Her father’s Christmas card list.
“I will,” Mia promised nonetheless. It was easier to play the part of the obedient daughter than make unnecessary waves. She’d learned that a long time