Page 71 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
Was she? The answer wasn’t as quick or as easy for her as it probably should have been. “It’s been a nice change,” she said instead.
Kristin nodded. “You were looking for a slower pace. Seems like you’ve found it.”
“I have.” Mia took a sip of her cappuccino. “And you? How are things at the firm?”
“Oh, same as ever.” Kristin spent the next ten minutes regaling Mia with tales from court, and she felt an unexpected twinge of nostalgia. That life had nearly wrecked her, and yet, she missed the thrill of standing in front of a jury, making her case. To some extent, she missed the long hours, coming home too tired to do anything but fall straight into bed.
It had been overwhelming while she was in it, a kind of all-consuming madness that had been equal parts exhilarating and devastating. She couldn’t go back. But as Kristin described the malpractice lawsuit she’d just won for a client who’d been left disfigured after a botched surgery, Mia felt wistful for what she’d left behind.
“But enough about work,” Kristin said finally. “What else is new with you? Enjoying the single life? Met anyone?”
“Yes.” Mia felt undeniably pleased to be able to say so. “I’m seeing someone. You?”
Kristin reached for her coffee, but Mia caught the momentary surprise on her face. “Oh, you know how it is. I downloaded a few dating apps, but I’ve been so caught up in work…”
Yes, Mia did know how it was, or at least, how it had been before she left that life behind. “I doubt I’d have found time to date if I was still working at Gonzalez & Warren either.”
“Tell me about her.” There was an edge in Kristin’s tone now, as if she disliked that Mia had moved on before she had. It fit the theme of their relationship perfectly. Of course, even post-divorce dating would be a competitive sport. “How long have you been dating?”
“It’s really new, so I don’t want to say much, but I like her a lot.” So much more than she was willing to admit to her ex-wife. She looked up and saw Lauren watching her from the other side of the room, and her cheeks heated, although she wasn’t sure why.
“What does she do?” Kristin asked.
“She’s a writer.” Mia smiled into her cappuccino as she thought of the fan fiction that had brought them together. She’d been messaging with Lauren long before she left Kristin, but that didn’t feel like a detail to mention now, no matter how innocent it had been.
“A writer, huh? Books or what?”
“She’s about to publish her first book. It’s amazing. I’m so proud of her.”
Kristin sipped her coffee. “I can’t picture you with a writer, but then again, I can’t picture you owning a cat café either, even though I’m sitting in it.”
“Why not?” Anger began to prickle under Mia’s skin because this was exactly what happened every time she and Kristin attempted to have a conversation. Why had she thought it would get better after their divorce?
“This place just doesn’t seem to suit you, that’s all.” Kristin’s tone was every bit as condescending as Mia remembered from the last years of their marriage.
She narrowed her eyes at her ex-wife. “Maybe you don’t know me as well as you thought you did.”
20
Lauren had planned to cook dinner for Mia tonight, but Mia left the café at lunchtime and didn’t return, leaving Lauren to wonder. She’d been wondering ever since she saw Mia sharing a coffee with a brunette that she was pretty sure was Mia’s ex-wife, according to the gossip Jordy had passed along.
The conversation had looked intense, but not unfriendly. On the contrary, Mia had worn such a wistful expression a few times that Lauren felt an awful sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. And then, shortly after Kristin left, so did Mia.
Now Lauren didn’t know what to do. Nothing in her dating history gave her any frame of reference for how to deal with her girlfriend’s ex-wife, or perhaps more accurately, how to deal with her girlfriend’s reaction to seeing her ex-wife. But she knew Mia shouldn’t look at Kristin likethat. Lauren wasn’t a jealous person by nature, but her mood was uncharacteristically dark as she finished her shift.
Seeing Kristin today had made Lauren feel small somehow. Kristin was beautiful in the same sophisticated way as Mia. They were the same age and dressed in the same classy style. Successful. Confident. They looked good together. And here was Lauren in her threadbare jeans, a thief barely holding her life together.
Just before she clocked out, she received a text from Mia.Come up when you’re finished!
I need to pick up a few things for dinner first, Lauren replied, wondering if Mia was going to mention that she’d seen her ex-wife today or why she’d left the café afterward.
Nope. I’ve got it covered. Come on up.
Well, okay then. Lauren wasn’t sure if that was reassuring or worrisome. Did Mia have something to feel guilty about? Should Lauren be upset about this? Only one way to find out. She cleaned up and headed upstairs to Mia’s apartment. She still had a key, but using it now that she’d moved out felt awkward, especially after what she’d seen earlier. She knocked.
“It’s open,” Mia called from inside.
Lauren opened the door and stepped inside, surprised to see Mia in the kitchen, stirring something that smelled delicious.
