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She wanted to be viewed as more.
And Tate! Fucking with her mind and making her all nervous, making her believe that it was more, that she was more, then crushing her?
He didn’t make her promises, she understood that, understood his need to keep it as natural as possible in terms of “public perception.” But he held her like he wouldn’t let her go. Like she was something worth hanging on to.
It had felt nice. It also scared the crap out of her a bit. Because she clung back.
Then earlier today he couldn’t even look at her with any kind of emotion other than annoyance when Greg got mentioned. She would have told him to go to hell but the truth was, it wasn’t him rejecting her, it was him pulling away something she’d just got a grip on.
Some self-esteem.
Which was stupid because their paths were heading in two different directions. When the little bell of the café ringed, she glanced up and plastered a smile on her face.
“What the hell was that?” Tate growled and walked through the door.
Mia kept the plastered smile, but it turned into showing her clenched teeth.
“Now you talk to me that no one is around to witness it?” She put her hand on her hip. “Well you can fuck off the same way you came in, Deputy.”
“You’re pissed at me?” he scoffed and put his hands on the counter and leaned in. “You’re the one flirting with the damn fire crew and half the town, two days after you were crying out my name and you’re pissed at me?”
Anger flared and Mia stomped around the counter to come face to face with him and she didn’t stop until she was damn near standing on his feet.
“First of all, you made it very clear that you wanted nothing to do with me today. God forbid you smile in my direction else tarnish that precious reputation or campaign of yours.”
“We aren’t dating, Mia. Something you said you were fine with.”
“I’m talking about respect, Tatum.”
“I do respect you, damn it. The way you own yourself and speak up.” He shifted his shoulders, boxing his weight into her space. “I respect you more than you know. Then I hear you pull the same shit—flirting to get what you want.”
“I talk to people like they’re human beings!” she yelled. “I don’t go in all high and mighty and talk down to them. Turns out, people are generally nice if you know what to talk to them about. It’s not flirting.”
Mia actually thought she was good with people. Was a good listener. She could figure out what they wanted before they told her. Like Sammy the other day.
The guy was pissy because he was lonely. And Mia took a few minutes to actually talk to him instead of just ordering something and leaving. Told him about the event. How he could have a booth to give out samples of his new shake flavors and that would bring people in. He was responsive to Mia’s ideas and interest. Not her tits.
“And not that it’s any of your business,” she leaned in closer and raised her chin, “but Greg is a douche and I told him so.”
“Mia.” Tate shook his head. “I feel crazy. Like I can’t get a god damn grip around you. What I’m dealing with, the sheriff, trying to make—”
“You’re trying to make everyone like you,” Mia cut in. “And I get that, I really do. But you don’t have to shut out other people to make that happen. You’ll be the next Sheriff, Tatum. What’s the worse that will happen?”
“That I won’t forgive myself.”
And there she saw it. As always, Tatum West was the golden boy trying to do the right thing. But there was more. A true fear, like a man holding on to an uncertainty.
“Branch is the only father I have left and I feel like I’m betraying him, and that eve
ryone can see it. I’ll never be Branch. I’ll never be my father. I already have half the town thinking I’m not right for this job, but every time I make a move to show I am ready for Sheriff, it’s just another step in the direction of selling out Branch.”
Her breath stuck to her throat. Tate looked lost. Sad. Frustrated. Like he was taking on weight that wasn’t his to shoulder.
“You’re not selling him out. This is a natural progression. People retire and others take their place.”
Tate shook his head. “He’s not well, Mia.” Something so raw and pained flashed in Tate’s eyes and made her own sting. “I don’t know how I saw this going, but I never saw it like this. I feel like I’m losing him. At the same time, it’s what’s right for the town.”
Mia’s ribs hurt from the breath she was holding. Tate was trying to live up to two men he idolized and while feeling guilty for following his dreams.
