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“Thanks, Ricardo. I don’t know how I lived without you for so long. This is what I needed. You’re going to get sick of seeing me every day.”
“Get sick of seeing a beautiful woman every day?” His dashing grin enhanced her happy mood. “Never, darling. You keep this up and I’ll put you in a ring.”
Oh, she didn’t know about that. Hitting a punching bag was one thing, but punching at a person was a whole other ball game. She didn’t think she could do it.
“Only in your dreams. That’s not me. I like this.”
“A man can dream.” His eyes glided to her hands, although she knew he knew he wouldn’t find jewelry there. The one ring she did wear, she always took off before she started. Perhaps it was an unconscious gesture a man did when he was interested in a woman.
She grabbed her bag, tossing the towel inside before placing the strap over her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Eventually, her body would tell her to take a break. Put some days in between where she didn’t come to release her demons. But not yet. She needed this as much as she needed to breathe. Because every time she hit the bag, she felt a little bit lighter, like the fear was ebbing away punch by punch.
“Would you like to grab a drink later?”
Old Mia would’ve taken him up on it. She would’ve dated him until she found something that bugged her—which should’ve never bothered her—and then ended things. Because that’s what she did. She kept everyone at arm’s length. Because if she didn’t let them in, bad things wouldn’t happen. Her life wouldn’t turn to sadness and despair.
“You are the best trainer in the world, and handsome to boot,” she said with a wink. “But I’m engaged to a man I love very much.”
His eyes glided to her hands again, even though she hadn’t put on her ring yet. Not that it was an engagement ring, but she could see the curiosity in his eyes. He’d never seen an engagement ring, so why would she say she was engaged.
Because she was.
As long as Jaxson hadn’t written her out of his life yet. She wouldn’t blame him if he had.
Although they had texted throughout the week, not once had they talked about them. Party details only. An epic party that Gabby and Dane were sure to love.
“He is one lucky bastard.”
She smiled. “No, I’m the lucky one.”
She said good-bye and headed quickly to her apartment. She and Jaxson had planned to meet two hours ahead of the party to start setting up. Gabby had even wanted to come help since she thought it was only a party for Dane, but they told her no. The plan was for Gabby to bring Dane as if they were heading out for date night. Considering they’d had date nights at The Corner Bar before, it wasn’t such a farfetched plan that Dane would figure out the truth. When Gabby saw the party banner hanging, she’d be just as surprised.
It would be an amazing night.
Well, as long as Jaxson forgave her for walking out on him.
She showered in record time but slowed down when it came to doing her hair and makeup. She wanted to look perfect. Right down to her pretty pink toenails she painted this morning. To lift her spirits and add a bit of hope, she even put a little white heart on each big toe for luck and love.
She had natural curly red hair that was sometimes hard to contain, but if she took the time to blow dry it and style it, she managed to get straight hair with only a touch of a wave, a look that always made Jaxson’s eyes twinkle with desire, something she had never paid attention to. Or more like she never wanted to dig deeper into how he was really looking at her, because if she had, she would’ve had to admit to herself how she felt about him. Back then, looking at her feelings scared the hell out of her. Even now, it frightened her a bit. But not enough to give up and run away like she always did. Oh, no. She was fighting for him. If the fear worked its way up, she’d imagine that black punching bag and how powerful it felt to hit it.
After searching through her closet earlier in the week for the perfect outfit, she had caved—not that shopping was such a bad thing—and bought a new dress. One that hugged all her glorious curves, yet screamed sensual, not overtly sexual. It was white with a black sash that wrapped around under her breasts with a pretty bow in the back. Because she wanted that extra sexy look tonight, she put on her killer—highest high heels she owned—red shoes to complete her outfit.
Adding some red lipstick, then tossing it into her bag, she locked her door and headed to The Corner Bar.
It was time.
Time to tell the perfect man how much she loved him and how sorry she was for hurting him.
When she walked inside the bar, she met Brick’s gaze right away. His jaw might’ve even dropped a little bit. Good. That meant she did an excellent job dressing up.
“Hey, Brick. Ready to party?”
“I can’t wait. Tamara will be here in an hour to take over for me. You,” he started to say as his eyes trailed up and down, “are going to blow his mind. You’re absolutely gorgeous.”
“It’s not too much?”
“It’s never too much, especially not for a man that loves you.”
