Page 19 of Army
“If you don’t want to, I understand. Actually, just forget about it. I don’t know what got into me. It’s been too long since I’ve had a date.”
Mia inhaled a deep breath and blew it out, her gaze still on Mrs. Shapiro and the lamps. Against her better judgment, she agreed to talk to Taylor.
“Thank you so much! I’ll do your nails for free for the next six months. Are you going to the gym after work?”
“No. I’m finishing up late tonight. I’ll talk to him tomorrow and let you know. Army may only be in town for one night.”
“I know. Let me know. Thanks. You’re a good friend.”
More like a stupid one.“I better go before my client’s hair turns platinum blonde.” Mia put the phone down and avoided Ronica’s stare.
“You caved in. You know this is going to be a disaster, and for sure Army’s going to think you arranged this becauseyouwanted a date with him. He’s too cocky to think anything else. He’ll never believe the ‘my-friend-wants-to-meet-you’ story.”
Mia walked over to the middle-aged woman and checked a strand of her hair. “It’s time. The color is beautiful. Let’s wash it out.” As she passed Ronica, Mia grimaced. “You’re right. What the hell have I done?” she whispered, her client following her.
“Created a monster with some of the best inked arms I’ve seen.” Ronica’s words fell over Mia as she led Mrs. Shapiro to the sink.
The hours flew by and when Mia pulled into her garage, she was exhausted. The minute she opened the back door, her two cats, Snickers and Pumpkin, meowed and rubbed against her legs.
“How’re you girls doing? Sorry I’m late.” She bent down and scratched them behind their ears. “I’m starving, what about you?”
Mia went over to the cupboard and took down two cans of food. As she open them, Snickers jumped up on the counter and rubbed her face against Mia’s shirt while Pumpkin sat patiently on the floor, looking up at her with luminous green eyes. She set their dishes on the floor, and they ran over and began to eat. Mia watched them and smiled.
She’d rescued both, the tabby and the tricolored feline, at a Tucson shelter a few months after her attack. Her therapist had recommended that she consider getting a pet, so Mia went into the shelter that night with the intention of adopting a cat. But after she’d picked Snickers, she saw Pumpkin’s light orange fur with snow-white markings on her belly, paws, and chin and fell in love with her. Now, with her late hours, she was glad her pets had each other.
Mia made a quick omelet and poured a generous portion of white wine into her water glass, ignoring the images of Goliath’s and Rick’s disapproving faces. “It’s been a rough two weeks,” she said aloud as she padded to the family room and sank into the couch. Snickers settled in behind Mia on top of the couch, and Pumpkin burrowed next to her.
A feeling of dread wove through her as she ate, and Mia was sorry for promising Peyton that she’d talk to Taylor about the four of them going out.What the hell was I thinking? I don’t want to spend five minutes with Army, let alone an evening. Ugh!Even though she found him physically attractive, she wasn’t crazy about his attitude and how he thought he was every woman’s sexual fantasy.
Picking up the remote, she switched on the television and slowly sipped her wine, wishing tomorrow would never come.
