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The vibration of my phone startles me out of my thoughts. I’m relieved when I see Jack’s name. I haven’t seen him since dropping him at his place on the way to see Cole, but he has been patient and understanding. He hasn’t pushed me to meet with him but we’ve spoken every day. “Hey,” I answer with a smile.
“Hey yourself, how’s my lovely little recluse doing today?” I can hear a smile on his face, too.
“Doing okay. Irritated that I have to do this dinner at my mom’s tonight.” I haven’t told anyone my plan for confronting Richard.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you? I hate the idea of you having to sit and listen to the rehashing of everything.”
“You’re sweet, but I can deal with my family. You don’t need to be stuck in the line of fire.”And I don’t want you to hear the bomb I’m going to drop about Cole.
Cole… he drifts into my thoughts, only for a second, just enough to make me shiver. I barely know him but I want him.
“Mia? Mia!”
Snap back!
“Oh, I’m sorry, Jack, just spacing out. I’m a little tired today. Seriously, thank you for having my back, but I’m cool for tonight.”
“Okay, Mia. No problem. I just want you to know, though, I want to do more than just have your back. I would eventually like to have that sweet body of yours.”
“Jack! Oh my God! I can’t believe you just said that.”
“Don’t you worry, Mia, I can be patient.”
I’m smiling after my phone call with Jack. He’s no Cole Parker, but he really is a great ego boost.
I apply lip gloss and shove my key card into my purse.
Thirty minutes later, the taxi pulls up in front of my mother’s building. “Hey Floyd,” I greet the guard. He gives me a slight nod, a sweet older guy. Nothing happens in this building that Floyd doesn’t know about.
I stand at the elevator, again reviewing my plan. I can’t back down until I have answers from Richard and my mother. Everything I have pieced together points to the obvious conclusion that I am being kept in the dark, which infuriates me. I was attacked and it was awful. Carter tried to rape me but thank God it never got that far. It drives me crazy that I can’t recall any of the details from that night, only that my life changed and everything’s been upside down ever since. That said, I survived! I’m okay—according to what everyone keeps telling me—and I will not be forever defined and treated like some kind of victim. I refuse to lose any more say in my life. Screw Richard and screw Cole, two power tripping men thinking I can’t handle the truth. I’m not standing for it. I won’t.
I square my shoulders, ready for a fight. I can do this. My affirmation pep talk continues as I ride up to Mom and Richard’s floor, when I realize that everyone on the elevator with me is staring. I’ve been mumbling to myself out loud!I guess this night can only go up from here.
As I approach the apartment door, I hear voices and laughter. Hold on a minute! I never thought to ask if others would be joining us for dinner. This has never happened! It has always been just us. In fact, sometimes I’ve wished for other guests to come and absorb some of the conversation; it might help avoid another “talk” about what direction my life was headed… but today, of all days?!
How am I supposed to grill Mom and Richard about Cole with other people at the table? Talk about a game changer. Or… or maybe not, maybe I can use this to my advantage. My mother would abhor me making a scene. Maybe I can force her and Richard to tell the truth!
I stand in the hall, mentally going over how I will make my threat. It can’t be aggressive, and I can’t be emotional. I need to be cool about it if they’re going to take me seriously. That’s when I hear the ding of the elevator, and I turn in the direction of the doors to see him. Cole Parker. Confident, handsome, sexy, and totally attentive to me. His smile lights up his gorgeous face as soon as he sees me. He seriously should teach a class about how to make an entrance.
I can’t hide my surprise to see him. “What are you doing here?” OOPS. A bit more snarky than I meant it to sound, but I feel blindsided, like this is becoming a thing with us. He pops up in the most unexpected places (like my dreams), and now even dinner with my parents isn’t safe?
“Nice to see you, too,” he smirks.
Okay, Mia, one foot in front of the other. Move.
His smile widens as we enter the apartment and I walk toward the voices in the living room.
“Are you going to answer my question?” I ask as I walk away.
“Well, Mia, I would think it’s obvious what I’m doing here. I’m having dinner with you and your family.”
He’s walked into the room close behind me and I can’t deny it. I can barely focus when sex on a stick is around! I don’t know how to confront my parents now. Why didn’t my mother tell me Cole was coming to dinner?! A simple heads up would have been appreciated. I can’t let him see me ruffled, especially since he seems to enjoy it so much, so I say, “Great, the more the merrier.”
“I’ve been looking forward to dinner with you all day.” He places his hand on the small of my back as we approach to greet everyone.
“Mia! Cole!” My mother’s joy is obviously a direct result of seeing me with Richie Rich. “Hi, Mom.”
Cole leans down to my ear as my mother approaches and whispers, “Play nice, baby.”
