Authors: Vanessa Fewings
“Well, whatever it was I’m glad.” I narrowed my gaze. “I’m thrilled you’re going to stay.”
He shrugged. “Do you think Mia’s the one?”
I took in the horizon, with its endless vision of possibilities. “Yes, I do.”
“Your cold bachelor heart melting?”
“I’m just as surprised.”
“Mom and Dad are flying in on Friday,” he said. “They can’t quite believe I’m out of Big Bear.”
I gave his back a pat and hugged him.
“I’ve booked a table at The Ivy,” he said.
“Well they’ve already met Mia, so it shouldn’t be too awkward.”
“They’ll ask about your engagement.”
The announcement that had meant to save my ass was now threatening it. The last thing I needed was my mother on my case wanting to start planning a big wedding.
Henry nodded toward the beach and I saw Mia heading toward us. She was carrying two beach towels.
“If you ever consider joining me,” he said. “I’m sure we can find you an intern position.”
I laughed. “To be honest, it’s frightening to think what business would bring out in me.”
“Oh I know.”
I arched a brow.
“
That part of you that’s willing to burn the empire down.” He slapped my back. “Maybe it is best you stay away, Cam.”
“
You’re more than capable of dragging the company into the twenty-first century.”
“
You’d probably blow the whole thing up.”
We both laughed at that.
Pulling our boards with us, we waded out of the water. Once on dry land, I threw my board down, ran over to Mia, and scooped her up into my arms, kissing her.
Her sundress was soaked with seawater, but she didn’t care.
“
Did you have fun?” She beamed at us.
“Cam’s going to teach you to surf next, Mia,” said Henry.
“Now that should be interesting,” she said.
“Who’s hungry?” I picked up my board.
The three of us headed off across the sand toward Bradley’s Bistro. The restaurant sat between a rustic tattoo parlor and an old book store. We rested our boards outside the front against the wall and headed on in. There were traces of sand trodden in and it felt perfect for a low key get together. The rickety tables and well-worn furnishing left formality behind. It was easy to spot the servers who were wannabe actors. They held a certain glazed stare as they dreamed their day away. The laidback surfer staff were easy to spot. They were here just to support their freewheeling lifestyle, their frequent gazes toward the ocean revealing their yearning.
The scent of pot wafted over our table.
Henry arched a brow when he caught it. “Good choice.” He widened his eyes in amusement.
“I thought so,” I said, amused, pulling back a chair for Mia.
We settled at a corner table and each chose taco’s off the menu. We sipped on lime beer. The brief moments of quiet proved how comfortable we all were with each other. The relaxed mood was easy to settle into.
Our conversation went from how great the surf was down here, to Henry sharing stories of his days in the SEALS. Mia was wowed as Henry recalled his experiences in the Middle East. Having already shared with her some of his darkest history when she visited him in Big Bear, Henry seemed comfortable to open up further.
Now and again Mia asked him a question that provided even more insight into what he’d been through and how his life had change since leaving the military. Henry told us he’d been dating a young lieutenant before his deployment to Afghanistan.
“Secret missions have a way of compromising relationships,” he said flatly.
“Like James Bond.” Mia tried to cheer him up.
“I wish. Talking of Bond, any plans for your future, Miss Money Penny?”
Mia giggled and took another bite out of her taco.
“You can’t work for my brother indefinitely.”
I took a swig of beer and looked over at her.
“I’m considering attending the psychology program at UCLA,” she said.
I beamed full of pride. “You have a place at UCLA waiting for you.”
“I don’t want you pulling strings, Cameron,” she said.
I looked over at Henry. “Tell her strings are good. Strings make the world go round.”
“Well if you change your mind,” he said, “I know a great company hiring young executives. The salary’s great. The benefits are generous and the camaraderie amongst the staff rocks. You can join the baseball team.”
“She doesn’t want to work for dad,” I said.
“She’d be working for me.” He lowered his gaze at her. “You’d get to travel, Mia.”
“Are you headhunting my girlfriend?”
“
And now that your girlfriend is an executive with the company, you might want to come on over to the dark side yourself.”
“
I haven’t accepted the offer yet,” Mia muttered and looked over at me.
“
You gave a nod.” Henry raised his beer bottle in congratulations.
“
I was taking a bite of food.”
“
Looked like a signed and sealed acceptance of a job offer to me,” he said.
Mia and I laughed.
Mia beamed at him. “Shouldn’t I be formally interviewed?”
“
You just were.”
“
She’s going to UCLA, Henry,” I said.
“
Maybe I will accept,” she said. “Will I get a car?”
“
Look at you,” said Henry. “You’re not in the job five minutes and you’re demanding executive upgrades.”
“
If you are serious,” she said, “and I’m not so sure you are, but if you are, thank you for considering me.”
“
Well there you have it, Mia,” I said. “Your future just opened up.”
Henry gave a nod. “And now you, sir. Time to close that den of iniquity before dad finds out about your extracurricular activities.”
I flipped a coaster at him and he failed to dodge it.
“
Let’s go back to the house,” I said. “I have just the thing to prepare you for your future, young one.” I gestured to our waiter for the check.
“
Go on then. Let’s have it,” Henry said.
“
I may have an old monopoly board in my cupboard.”
“
I knew it,” said Mia, “I knew you’d have a thing for that game.”
I signed the check and then nudged the leather wallet to the side.
Henry looked over at Mia. “Great drinking game.”
“
Never played it.”
Henry feigned horror and then pointed at me. “This one’s obsessed with it.”
“
When I was twelve,” I said. “It’s actually not mine. It’s Tara’s.”
Henry glanced over at Mia cautiously.
“
It’s okay,” she said. “Tara’s gay. She’s dating my best friend, Bailey. Tara and Cameron surf together sometimes.”
“
Haven’t for a while,” I said. “My old surfing buddy’s been too busy with her studies.”
“
She’s studying to be a nurse,” Mia told him. “Bailey’s already graduated. She works at Cedars.”
“
Cameron always insisted he was the top hat.” Henry pushed himself to his feet. “That’s all you have to know about this one right here. One classy act.”
“
When I was a kid,” I said. “Didn’t you always go for the candlestick?”
“
Different game.” Henry rolled his eyes. “Yeah, try to pretend you weren’t Mr. Mogul obsessed back in the day.”
Mia rose to her feet. “So I take it Cameron always ended up winning?”
“
Always.” Henry looked over at me. “Too smart for his own good.”
I pressed my hand to my chest. “I’ll play, but only if I’m the top hat.”
“
That piece mysteriously disappeared last night,” said Henry mischievously.
“
Well, we need to sharpen your business strategizing ability,” I said. “So monopoly it is.”
We’d not been this playful in years. So much time had gone by where we’d let life get in the way. I vowed that would not happen again to us.
We made our way out onto the pathway.
Mia knelt to play with a Maltese puppy and she grinned up at the pet’s owners. The middle aged couple were more than happy to have their dog admired.
“
Someone’s got it bad,” said Henry, his lips curling wryly.
“
What?” I said, pretending I’d not stared down at Mia like a lovesick teenager.
Mia’s windswept hair reminded me of that freshly fucked look she had after one of our mind-blowing sessions. Her face had been kissed by the sun, and her blue eyes shone with happiness. She exuded sweetness.
She glanced our way. “Can we get one?”
“
Sure,” I said. “How about a coyote?”
She giggled and went back to petting.
It was hard to believe she’d ever had a bad day in her life. Yet here was a woman whose childhood could have rendered her full of hate for the world. Instead, she emanated love, and her endearing kindness captured my heart. It was impossible to understand how anyone could hurt her.
“
First comes the dog,” said Henry. “Then the baby.”
I went to protest, but for the first time in my life I wasn’t horrified by the thought. As though some part of me knew with Mia it would be fun, and she’d make an incredible mother.
That shimmer of peace felt closer than it ever had. I knew I had what was needed to make her happy. Equaled by the knowledge I had what it took to protect her.
That collar was no longer enough.
Henry wrapped his arm around me. “Had you not gotten that intel out of me,” he said. “All that suffering, all that pain, all that agony I went through would have been for nothing. Ever considered that?”
Emotion strained my voice. “Henry.”
CHAPTER 11
MIA SPUN AROUND for me, giggling and showing off the short black evening dress.
Sitting here in Badgley Mischka’s store waiting room
,
I gave an
appreciative nod, admiring the way she playfully posed.
God, she was beautiful.
There came a sense of pride I’d be with her tonight.
Scarlet’s birthday party was this evening at The Strand, and I’d brought Mia to Rodeo Drive to buy her a new dress. Despite her owning quite a few, all of them had been purchased for her by Richard. I didn’t feel comfortable with him seeing her wearing any of them and I didn’t need any reminders she’d once been his.
She fell onto my lap. “I love this one.”
I hugged her softness into me and nuzzled into her neck. Soft blonde curls caressed my face and I breathed her in. Her eyes shone with happiness.
And that made me deliriously happy. “Mia, you look beautiful.” I glanced over at the shop assistant. “We’ll take it.”
Mia reached for the price tag and frowned. “Maybe we should go to the mall?”
“Looks like someone’s going to have to work overtime,” I said, amused.
“What will be my duties?”
“Whatever they are, you will be naked. There’s no way around it.”
She kissed me. “It’s beautiful. Thank you so much.”
“It’s nothing.” I reached into my pocket for my cell and went to silence it and saw Shay’s name. “I should get this. Go find your shoes.”
Mia headed on over to the elegant display—a collection of pumps, and heels, and wedges.
“Cole.” I pushed to my feet and moved over to the front window.
“Hey boss,” said Shay warmly.
“How are things?”
“Good. You?”
“Great. How’s the boat?”
“Handles like a dream.”
“Heard you took Henry out on it?”
“He seemed to have fun.”
“A nice reunion, I hear?”
“Yeah, we bored the hell out of Arianna talking about old times. She kept trying to tempt us to swim.” He chuckled. “We’ve lost our edge, Cam. Neither of us wanted to face the cold.”
“You’re getting old, buddy.”
“Tell me about it.”
“That’ll be all the champagne and high rolling you do.”
“You’re a bad influence.”
A car alarm went off and I pulled the phone away from my ear. “Where are you?”
“China Town. Arianna likes this little joint down here. Food’s not bad, but to be honest her favorite dish looks like it’s gonna bite back.”
“Hang in there.”
“Everything’s set for tonight.” His tone changed. “I booked a private room. VIP lounge.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“You pay me for perfection.”
“And I thank you for always delivering it.” I turned to see Mia staring out the window.
I froze.
Terror was etched on her expression.
“I’ll call you back.” I hung up and followed her gaze.