he’ll probably be in bed when I get home. Hopefully he’ll wake up in a better mood. But, I’m going to have a heart-to-heart with him tomorrow and tell him things need to change.”
Chapter 17
Mia went to breakfast a little before nine on Sunday. She was looking forward to seeing Lisa and hearing how her trip went. She had thought Lisa said they were going to be back for Kristen’s show Friday night, but she didn’t see her there and forgot to ask Kate if she was still coming. She saw both Kristen and Kate the next morning, though, as they had been filling in for Lisa while she was gone, making sure the breakfast room was stocked each day. They let her know that Lisa and Rhett decided to stay an extra night and were due back late Saturday afternoon.
When Mia stepped into the dining room, she saw Lisa right away. Rhett was just getting up to leave. Mia said a quick hello to him before bringing a plate of scrambled eggs, toast and her black coffee over to where Lisa was eating a grapefruit.
“Sit down and join me. Rhett had to go, but I’m not in any hurry.”
“Good, I’m dying to hear all about your trip.”
“Oh, it was wonderful. So relaxing. We went everywhere, saw everything and ate so much. We went out for every meal. That’s why I’m eating a grapefruit now.”
“Did you see his other restaurants?” Mia knew that Rhett owned several restaurants that were well known and successful.
“Yes, we ate at all of them and I was impressed. He has a good team in place with each one. His daughter, Michelle, runs one of them, his first flagship restaurant. We saved that one for last, and she came with us. It was nice to spend some time with her where she lives. She gave us a tour of her city. Well, Rhett knows it well, of course, but it was all new to me.”
“That sounds like a great trip. I’m glad you had a good time.”
“Thanks, honey. We really did. We haven’t taken any time off, either one of us, since we met. Not more than a day here or there, so it was nice to get away. Oh, and we toured some New York vineyards. You would have loved that. There are some good wines coming out of New York. We brought a case home, so you’ll have to come some night when I have the girls over.”
“I’d love that. Oh, Kristen’s art show seemed to go well. I found a painting there for my living room. And it looks like I’ll be able to move back in on Thursday.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Sooner than expected?”
“Yes, a little bit. Will had a cancellation, so he was able to get started sooner. I have to admit, though, I’m going to miss being here. I’ve really enjoyed having breakfast with you.”
Lisa smiled. “I’m going to miss it, too. You’ll have to stop in sometime for breakfast so we can catch up.”
“I’d like that.”
“So, what are you bringing to Kate’s cookout later today?”
Mia laughed. “I’m so boring. I always bring the same thing, but I know it’s good. My guacamole and chips.”
“Well, I love guacamole and I haven’t tried yours yet. I’m actually making a new recipe. It’s something they serve at one of Rhett’s restaurants—Honey Pepper Coconut Shrimp served with a creamy mango sauce.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“We’ll see how it turns out. You’ll all be my guinea pigs.”
When Mia finished eating, she cleared her plate and said goodbye to Lisa.
“See you later today at Kate’s. I’m looking forward to trying your guacamole.”
Mia smiled as she headed up to her room to get her purse before going to the grocery store to pick up what she needed to make the guacamole. As she was going up the stairs, Ben was coming down and stopped when he saw her.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you all week. I was starting to wonder if you’d already moved out, but then each morning, your car is here.”
Mia laughed. “I was telling your sister that we seem to have opposite schedules. She was asking if I’d seen you. She said you were racing in the Figawi.”
“It was awesome. A buddy of mine has a boat, and I went to the Cape Friday night and sailed back Saturday morning with him and his crew. We head back first thing on Monday.”
“That sounds so fun.”
“Do you like to sail?”
“I’ve never done it before. The fast