Chapter 63

Mia

Sometime later, while Andy and I were chatting about Matt, or more like gossiping behind the man’s back, telling one another what we thought about him and bringing up his many bad points, my cell rang. I noted that it was Savanah.

“I have to get this,” I said, picking up the phone.

“Sure. Take your time,” he replied, relaxing back in his bed and picking up a magazine.

I swiped to accept and and answered, “Hey, Savanah.”

“Mia?” came her voice on the other end of the line. “Are you free? Can we catch up this afternoon?”

I nodded as I said, “Yeah. I’m free. Where do you want to meet up?”

“What about the café in the mall?”

“That sounds good. I’ll see you in forty-five minutes then?”

“Yes, please,” Savanah said.

A moment later, we hung up. After putting the phone back into my satchel, I turned to Andy and announced, “I have a coffee date.”

He raised a brow. “Not with Mr. Maxwell, I’m sure.”

I smiled, curious. “How do you know?”

“Because you wouldn’t speak like that to him,” he said. “You’re talking to a girlfriend.”

I grinned. “My baby brother is so perceptive.”

Andy eyed me with interest. “You’ve made a friend?”

I nodded my head, a big grin playing about my lips. “Her name is Savanah White. She’s very pretty and nice.” Then I thought, and she’s stuck in a pickle just like me. A pet to a billionaire.

I prayed William was kind to her. I surely hoped. If not, I’d give that man a piece of my mind.

Andy smiled. “Good for you. I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever make any friends at all.”

I folded my arms across my chest and harrumphed in indignation. “How rude. Speak for yourself.”

The moment I spoke those words, I cursed myself silently. It hadn’t been that long since those so-called friends of his had fucked him up with that two-million-dollar loan. I knew it had hurt and upset him greatly, and for me to have brought it up so sarcastically like that, it was uncalled for.

Andy tried not to show just how upset he was. He put the magazine on the bedside table and moved over to sleep, turning his back to me.

I sighed, my heart squeezing at my own stupidity. “Andy, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

He shook his head. “It’s okay, Mia. It’s true. Everything was my fault. I was stupid and gullible because I wanted to make money, because I wanted to make things better for us. I was blind…”

I took in a shaky breath. Yes, he’d sacrificed so much, hadn’t he? He’d gone through so much just trying to better our lives. But it had backfired. Life was so unfair.

“I even got you involved,” he added. “Some brother I am.”

I sat on the side of the bed, pulled him into my arms, and hugged him tight. “It’s okay, Andy. It’s okay.”

He turned to me then, and I noted the anger within his eyes. “But I’m not okay with it, Mia.” His voice was hard and hoarse with emotion. “I’m so fucking not okay with it. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have to be here. You wouldn’t have to suffer… You wouldn’t have to be in such a weird relationship with Mr. Maxwell.”

I frowned and said darkly, “Andy, you listen to me, young man. You’re my brother. We’ve been through thick and thin together. I love you. You know that, right? I would take a bullet for you, you understand?”

Andy’s body shook. He nodded as he gritted his teeth. “I love you too, Mia. I’d take a bullet for you too. I’d die for you. You mean so much to me… That’s why… That’s why it hurts me you have to go through shit just because of me.”

He tightened his arms about me as I buried my face against his chest.

“I know,” I said. “I know. I understand. Please, Andy, don’t blame yourself anymore. What’s done is done. We can’t change the past.”

He kissed my forehead. “Five years… It’s a long time. What if you start hating it? Being with Mr. Maxwell. Wouldn’t it be like when we were with that sick bastard?”

I blinked as tears brewed in my eyes. His words struck deep within my heart. That bastard Andy referred to was Uncle Herbert. The man who’d abused and molested us.

Andy was right. Five years was indeed a long time. What if I started hating being with James? What if I started hating him? Would it be very terrible? Like with Uncle Herbert?

I shook my head. No, I didn’t want to think about that. I didn’t want to think what would happen if I started hating James. What I should fear most was the fact that I’d start loving him too much, knowing my love for him was unrequited. That was by far more painful and dangerous, wasn’t it? Being so close to him yet feeling so far, having my love go unfulfilled.

I said slowly and carefully, my mind in a muddle, “I don’t think I’ll ever come to hate James, Andy.” I drew myself back and gave my brother a sad smile. “Rather,” I said, licking my lips. “Rather…it might be the opposite. I’m so afraid. What if I can’t take being with him because… What if I confess and he rejects me? What would happen to our contract then? And I don’t want anything to happen until the five years is up because…that means we’d have to find enough money to repay him, and…”

Andy cupped my face. “Mia, stop it.”

I lifted my gaze. “But I can’t help myself.”

Andy squeezed my shoulders tight. “I know it’s hard. I know you haven’t met many men, so of course you’d fall for him. He has money. He’s good-looking. He’s kind to you. You’ve spent a lot of your time with him.”

I nodded, knowing where his argument was coming from. Yes, it was true I hadn’t met many men. Yes, it was also true James was indeed wealthy, good-looking, and kind to me. And yes, the majority of my time so far was with him. Not to mention the crazy, amazing sex we had.

“It’s only natural a girl would fall for that type of man,” Andy said. “You’re a bit confused at the moment. I know because I was confused as well.”

I frowned. “You were? With Matt?”

He nodded. “It was one hell of a mystery for me.” He sighed. “Fact is I’m still unsure where Matt and I are going.”

“So…” I began, feeling a little like he was the wiser one between us in the romance department. “What happened? What did you do?”

“To clear my head?” He chuckled.

I nodded furiously.

“I distanced myself,” he replied. “Actually, more like I ran away. I decided I didn’t want to see his face.”

I nodded in understanding. Perhaps I needed to distance myself from James too? To clear my head, so to speak?

I glanced at the clock on the wall and noticed it was getting closer to three in the afternoon now.

“I better get going,” I said.

Andy nodded.

“Mia,” he called out as I was about to depart.

“Yes?” I asked at the door.

He paused for a moment, as if he were considering his words carefully. “You’re young. Maybe it’s just infatuation.”

I nodded. “I know,” I said. “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything stupid.”

He smiled. “See you tomorrow then.”

I waved and then left him.

As I was walking toward the elevator, my cell dinged, informing me I had a message. Curious as to who it was, I quickly checked it.

The moment I saw James’ name on the screen, I smiled in delight. I scanned through the message and felt my heartbeat quicken. As per usual, James was straight to the point, and of course, exuded a sense of demand, even in text message form.

We’re going out tonight. Wear something nice. Be ready by seven. See you soon.

James.

After placing my cell phone back into my satchel, I headed into the elevator, all the while wondering where he’d be taking me for dinner this time. I do hope it was a restaurant where they had pasta. Thinking about food made my tummy grumble, and instantly I couldn’t wait to have afternoon tea with Savanah.