Mixed Emotions - Mia Heintzelman Page 0,70

Like she didn’t want to own it. It was the way you’d say it to a friend.

“Anything eventful happen today?” He was fishing and praying she’d take the bait.

Her brows waggled playfully. “Nope.”

Mike broke into a smile. “With that look on your face, I find that hard to believe,” he said, but when he looked past her, he finally noticed the dining room. His brows knitted together. A mix of shock and appreciation laced his tone. “You did this?”

The table was covered with a white sheet in lieu of a tablecloth. Two plates were set one across from the other with all the silverware, linens, and glasses. In the center, two candles were lit, giving it an intimate, romantic ambiance.

“Are these for me?” She bounced on her heels and his stomach did a little flip. She was looking at him with that adorably sweet, half smile. For a brief moment, he caught a glimpse of the girl he’d known once and the woman he was falling head over heels for.

She gave him a wistful glance as her warm eyes crinkled around the corners and lit up.

“Yes.”

“They’re perfect. Thank you.”

A shiver coursed through him and his face grew hot. He blinked, stepping out of his trance to guide her by the hand into the dining room. The delicate curve of her neck seemed to glow in the light of the chandelier.

But then she pivoted to him.

“I was actually hoping we could talk?” She batted her lashes at him.

Here we go. What is going on with this day?

Mike craned his neck back. “Do I even want to know what this is about?”

Zora swayed into the kitchen and lifted herself up onto her tiptoes, opening the cabinet above the refrigerator. Mike had no clue how she knew that’s where he kept the vases, but he sure was enjoying the view. It appeared that she was just about to ungracefully climb onto the counter, when he leaned in behind her.

“Uh, I think I can get it,” she said, but Mike ignored her and extended his arm to clutch his hand around the vase and pull it down.

His mouth was no farther than an inch from her ear. “Here you go.” He could feel the curve of her behind firm against his growing hard-on.

She exhaled. “You’re not playing fair.”

“As the saying goes, ‘All is fair in…’” he trailed off, but he didn’t miss the questions in Zora’s eyes when she turned to meet his gaze. When he didn’t finish his sentence, she edged past him to the sink.

He heard the thud as she set the vase in the sink basin and turned on the faucet. The awkwardness between them was back, and Mike hated it. He hated not being able to see her face. He swallowed and straightened his shoulders skimming through things that might be bothering her. She was on track for her book deadline and he hadn’t even told her about his conversation with Everett. So what was it? She’d spent the day doing a photoshoot and shopping with Olivia, and…

“How was your day with Olivia?” He asked.

Mike ground his teeth and felt the tightening of his jaw as he exhaled. Something happened. Whatever Zora needed to talk about, he was sure Olivia had something to do with it.

“Fine.”

Yeah, I’m sure.

Deciding to help, Mike swiveled around and stood beside her at the sink. He removed the plastic from the roses and pulled a knife from the drawer, gripping the stems with his left hand and cutting the twisted wire ties with his right.

“You’re sure? Your day with Olivia doesn’t have anything to do with what you want to talk to me about?”

She flitted a glance up to meet his eyes then quickly lowered her head. “Yeah. It’s fine. By the way, thanks again for these. It’s really sweet of you, but you don’t have to buy me stuff. Just letting me stay here is thanks enough.” She sounded stilted and measured.

“I’ve got you. This is thick and thin right here.” He tapped his chest then pointed to Zora. “You know I’m here for you.”

She paused for a moment. “Hmm, let’s see if that’s the case.” Mike could hear the smile in her voice. “First champagne, then roses. It’s only natural that jewelry be the next—“

“Shit.” Mike sliced his finger. He dropped the flowers and let the water run over the cut, but Zora took over. She moved the vase and grabbed for paper towels, wrapped it around his finger, and squeezed.

“Band-aids?”

“My bathroom. Medicine