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Chapter 26
Mia
After stirring the red chili sauce, Mia added a pinch more salt. The savory aroma of slow-cooked pork with the array of spices blanketed her in comfort. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend it was her mother cooking beside her.
“I miss you, Mamá.”
Mia shut the stove off and stepped away, walking over to the back porch. Opening the double doors, she took deep breaths as she tried to ground herself in the present. The crisp September air in New Hampshire was clean and earthy. She surveyed the backyard, all set up for her new friends with picnic tables. The sunshine reflected off the turquoise water of her pool, where no doubt Remy’s daughter would want to go for a swim. It should warm up by the time they all arrived later that afternoon.
It had been weeks since the incident in the bathroom. Mia avoided the work site unless absolutely needed. She’d had to begin the detachment—it was best for both of them. Andre was respectful of that. Because it is only sex to him. I’m the one who’s catching feelings.
Mia sat with her head in her hands. Birds chirped in the trees lining the back of her house. She looked up towards his house. Movement in his bedroom window caught her eye. His half-naked body appeared and then moved out of sight a moment later. Lust stirred to life—just as it did every time she laid eyes on the man. He didn’t even have to be there to have her hot and bothered, because thinking about him made her just as flammable. She’d resist giving in to her body’s demands as she had for the most part of the last few weeks. Mia had only let Andre into her bed a handful of times. It would be easier if he texted.
The soft padding of feet across the grass made her look over her shoulder.
Andre set a paper bag and a coffee cup next to her on the porch with a warm smile. “Wanted to bring you some breakfast before I headed out for a run.”
She eyed his bare chest, down to the V disappearing into his running shorts. Swallowing hard, she managed a, “Thank you.”
“See you later.” He winked and then kissed her forehead before he was off. She admired his tight ass until he was out of sight.
Why did he have to be so perfect?
If she had been born in this country, she’d pursue him in a heartbeat. Her mother would have loved him. Oh, Mamá. How am I to navigate these treacherous seas without you? Life was like walking across a floor of broken glass—dangerous and brutal. One wrong turn could shred her to pieces.
Chimes rang from her pocket. She pulled out the phone. Mateo.
“Hola, hermoso.”
“Hello to you too, beautiful,” his deep voice said.
“How are you?”
“I’m missing my favorite girl.”
She smiled as her spirit lightened. “I miss you too. When are you going to come visit me again?”
“That’s actually why I’m calling. I have some time coming up soon. I can finally take a break at work and come see you next week. Does that work?”
“That’s perfect! Are you bringing your sister?” Mia asked.
“Do I have to share you? I was hoping it would be just the two of us again.”
“Of course you have to bring her. I haven’t seen her since I moved.” Mia laughed.
“Well, if you hadn’t relocated to the other side of the country, we could see a lot more of each other. I miss your beautiful face every day. After all, we have quite the event to finish planning in the coming months.”
Right. How could she forget?
Because she wanted to live in her fantasy land a little longer with Andre in her bed.
“You know why I had to leave,” she reminded him.
He sighed. “I know, honey. I just wished you’d let me take care of you—more than what I’m doing now.”
Mia fought the tears as she shook her head. “I have to do this myself. You’re giving me exactly what I need right now. I’m already asking so much of you.”
“Anything for you. You’re so important to me. And soon . . .”
