a sharp breath. “Well, good luck with that. To be honest, I was hoping for some juicy penis problems, so…” She shrugs, smiling. “You got any of those for me?”
“No,” I laugh. “I’m sorry.”
“It gets a little boring, you know? The whole mom thing. Don’t get me wrong; I love my daughter, but sometimes I just want something else to fill my days. And all my friends are in steady relationships, and I don’t get to read as much as I used to… so yeah, penis gossip.”
“I’m sorry I can’t help you with that.”
The bartender brings her four more drinks, then mentions he’s going to charge as we order, just to be safe.
“So you’re not dating anyone?” Lucy asks me.
I shake my head, leave it at that. If she starts to dig, I might have to leave, and I don’t want to. She’s been the highlight of my stay.
“Eh,” she says. “That’s what toys are for.”
“Oh my god,” I whisper, covering my face.
She nudges my side with hers. “You’re such an innocent little thing. I like you. Sucks you have a bitch of a mom. You deserve better.”
I deserve better. She has no idea how long it took me to understand the value of those words alone.
“There’s my dinner date,” she says. “You should totally join us.”
I lower my hands and follow her gaze, and there, walking toward us is Leo Preston.
It takes a tenth of a second for my smile to be wiped, for my spine to straighten, for my body to shift and stare at the neon sign behind the bar as if it’s the most fascinating thing in the world.
“I found a friend,” Lucy announces.
I don’t look at him when he says, “I see that.” But I hear him. And I feel him everywhere. Right down to the darkest parts of my soul. “Hey, Mia.” And there it is, the spark that lights the darkness.
Then I do something I could avoid when we were surrounded by a hundred other people, but can’t do here without looking like an idiot. I face him. Head-on. My eyes on his. Eyes that hold mine and make me breathless. “Hi.”
“How are you?”
Better. “I’m good.” And calm, surprisingly. Huh. “What about you?”
He shrugs.
Lucy hugs his waist. “Leo’s about to leave for six months, so—”
Leo sighs, cutting her off. “It’s only in Charlotte, and I’ll be back on weekends.” He rolls his eyes playfully.
“I’m trying to get in as much time with him as possible,” she says, then reaches up and pinches his cheeks. “My little Leelee,” she coos, and I can’t help but smile.
He swats her hands away. “Who are you calling little?” It’s true. He’s not little. Not by any stretch. Even at eighteen, he was built, but now… he’s a tank.
She resumes the hugging of his waist and pats his stomach. “He’s going into the police academy.”
“You are?” My eyes are wide as I watch him, and he nods, darts his gaze away for barely a second before meeting mine again.
“Yeah.”
“That’s… great.” I smile, and it’s genuine. “I’m pr—” I break off, shaking my head. I’m proud of you? Who says that?
Lucy gasps so loud, even the bartender gets her attention. “I have the best idea!”
“Uh-oh,” Leo murmurs, looking at the empty cocktail glasses on the bar. “How much have you had to drink?”
Lucy’s eyes are enormous when she practically squeals, clapping her hands, “You guys should fuck!”
“Okay, time to cut you off,” Leo’s quick to say while I go back to the neon sign. It’s green and pink and says cocktails, and all I see is cock, and oh no. I’ve been with Lucy for five minutes, and she’s already rubbing off on me.
“No, you should!” Lucy yells as if this is literally a great idea. It is not. “You’re leaving, and she’s leaving, and she’s not seeing anyone, and you haven’t had a girlfriend in years.”
“We might have to skip dinner. Let’s get you home,” Leo says, and from the corner of my eye, I see Lucy being lifted out of her seat. Maybe I shouldn’t have bought her all those drinks. Also, where has all the oxygen gone? Because it’s not in me or around me.
“You should, Leelee!” Lucy is adamant. “Look at her! She’s fucking hot!”
My face flames red.
“Luce.” Leo sighs. “I’m well aware of Mia’s beauty.”
There are no goodbyes when they leave, and I don’t watch them go.
I’m too busy replaying Leo’s last words in my head, over and over.
I’m well aware of Mia’s beauty.
I