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That made him smile, a real smile, only for Mia. They walked across the street to her apartment, still hand in hand. “My sex den gets you excited.”
“You’re sex den disgusts me.” She wrinkled her nose as they went up the stairs.
“Makes you so hot,” he countered as she opened her apartment door.
“Do I look hot, Rafferty?”
At her words, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into him. He just hugged her and whispered into her ear, “You always look hot, Mia.”
This time, she pushed out of his arms as fast as he had pulled her into them. Stomping across the apartment, she seethed, “I invited you over to take your mind off your dad, not have sex with you.”
“Okay,” was all he said as he walked into her apartment and shut the door behind him. Taking off his jacket and shoes, he realized she had vanished from the main area of the apartment, so he went looking for her. The bedroom door wasn’t completely closed, and he peeked inside. He watched as she changed out of the black jeans she wore to the restaurant and into sweatpants. She didn’t notice him watching. He felt like a pervert but couldn’t stop himself.
When she turned and opened a drawer of her dresser, he quickly went back to the living room and sat on the couch to wait for her. Leaning back and putting his feet on the coffee table, he looked at the ceiling. He had so much to do today, but he didn’t want to do any of it. All he wanted to do was let the world go by and spend today with Mia. She would make him feel better just being there.
At the sound of her bedroom door opening, he turned and watched her walk across the floor. An orange Landstad Tigers sweatshirt had been added to the black sweatpants. Her hair was still red from Valentine’s Day, though it was dull, and her roots were showing now. What color would she choose next? He hoped it would be back to her chestnut brown. He missed it.
Plopping down on the couch, she grabbed the remote near his feet. “What do you want to watch?”
“Anything. You choose.” He was still watching her as she flipped quickly through channels.
“How about this one?” She pointed at the screen.
Not bothering to look he agreed, “That one’s good.”
Turning to him, she put the remote down and curled her feet under her. “Why were you downtown this morning? Were you going to work?”
“No, I just needed to do something.” He closed his eyes. His first stop in town this morning was to tell Ruth. She deserved to know.
“Really? Just something. Did you at least get it done?” Mia questioned sarcastically.
“Yes, I did.” He smiled at her, knowing she wanted to know everything. She was a gossip and prided herself on knowing everything that went on in town.
“Do you want something to drink?” she asked, thankfully dropping the subject.
“No, I’m good.” He didn’t want her to get up.
“Did you have something at Angel’s then?” she questioned.
“No, I wasn’t there very long,” he answered before he could stop himself.
“I knew it! You talked to Angel this morning. Why did you have to talk to her?” She was leaning toward him, and her hands were on his arm. “What does Howard have to do with her?”
“Nothing, Mia. Drop it.” He sat up.
“Oh my God! That’s it, isn’t it? That’s the big secret between you two. Howard’s her dad, too. I should have figured that out. Why hadn’t I figured that out? You don’t really look alike.” Mia’s hazel eyes were leaning toward green today and were as big as saucers as she looked at him. Her hands were still on his arm.
“Angel doesn’t want people knowing,” was all he said through his teeth.
“I won’t tell anyone. I swear.” She pulled her hands away and leaned back on the arm of the couch.
“Pinky swear.” He held out his hand.
“Pinky swear!” Mia grabbed his pinky with hers. “I won’t tell anyone. Ever. Have you always known? Do you have holidays together?”
“No, and of course not. We both found out when we were eighteen. When Angel got really sick.” He didn’t let go of her pinky, just lowered his hand that now was still connected to hers on her leg.
“I remember her being sick. I don’t know how bad it was. Maybe not many people around here did since we never thought about it when she wasn’t sick anymore.” Mia had been a senior that year and was now feeling like she was a bit self-centered.
