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Margaret’s grin widened. “Because you’re wearing a silky blouse.”
“So?”
“So, you only wear that fabric when you’re feeling confident.”
Mia rubbed the hem of her shirt between her fingers and thumb. Did she?
“Also, you’re wearing lipstick. Which is a waste, if you ask me, since your man isn’t even here.”
“Maybe I just wanted to feel a little more pretty tonight?” Mia said.
“Or maybe you’re just practicing putting it on again before—oh, great, Numb Nuts is here.”
Mia followed Mrs. Harper’s narrowed gaze to the auditorium’s entryway. Sure enough, there was Greg, his toothpick of a wife, Becky, and Greg’s mother and father. Hopefully, the newcomers would just choose seats toward the front of the room. Much to her chagrin, the entourage headed their way.
“Be nice,” she told Margaret as Greg drew closer. “You may not have to deal with him much, but I still do.”
“I’m too old to play nice. Besides, now that he doesn’t live next door, I gotta get my digs in whenever I can.”
Mia pinched the bridge of her nose. “Please, promise me you’ll behave tonight. It’s almost Christmas.”
“Killjoy,” Margaret grumbled. “And what’s with Betty Boop’s outfit? Did she finally mature beyond the skinny jeans phase?”
Mia’s gaze shifted reluctantly to Becky, a.k.a. her replacement. Younger and thinner than Mia, she generally did arrive to school functions in clothing styles far too similar to what the teens were wearing. Tonight, however, she was dressed in a forest green baby doll dress, cream-colored tights, and knee-high leather boots. The dress’s bodice accentuated what little Becky had up top, but hung loose below that.
“Maybe she strayed from her vegetarian diet and is feeling bloated.” Mia put a hand over her mouth. “I should not have said that.”
“We were all thinking it,” Margaret said, offering her a fist bump.
For once, Mia returned it.
“Evening, Mia. Mrs. Harper,” Greg said in a chipper voice, taking the seat next to Mia as the rest of his family filed into the row.
The whole freaking auditorium is empty, and he has to sit right next to me?
“Gregory,” said Margaret, the word dripping with irritation.
Mia threw her a warning glance before turning to face her ex-husband. “Hey there. Brooklyn will be happy you all could make it.”
She waved to her former in-laws, who’d remained pleasant after the divorce but had been quick to pledge allegiance to the new wife. Though it still stung, Mia was determined to maintain her path on the high road. Outwardly, anyway. It didn’t guarantee she wouldn’t sit here andthinkless than friendly thoughts toward the man who’d abandoned their family. Like how that new hairstyle of his wasn’t intended for anyone over the age of seventeen…
“Yes, looks like Brooklyn’s going to have quite a cheering section tonight,” Greg said. His gaze shifted past Mia. “Where’s the rest of your family?”
“They actually have a life,” Margaret murmured, her gaze fixed on the door.
“Sorry?” Greg asked, leaning closer.
Gah, that was the last thing Mia wanted.
“Working,” she said.Lucky ducks.“But I promised to record the concert and replay it for them afterward.”
Greg nodded. “That’s cool. Bummer they couldn’t be here, though. Tell them all I wish them well.”
“Will do,” Mia said.
She could only guess what their responses would be to that. Aunt Faye would probably say it was nice of Greg to think of them. Her father would grunt but otherwise bite his tongue. And Del? Well, her response would depend on whether or not Brooklyn was in hearing distance.
What would Alex would say? “Thanks for being a complete idiot and making Mia single again?”
