Chapter 10 : The Limelight

Mia's POV

My family was up early this morning doing chores per my mother’s orders. She had Allie sweeping the porch, Amber doing the dishes from breakfast, and me feeding the chickens with her out back. My mother grew up on a farm, and having chickens reminded her of home. She passed me a bucket of feed as she quickly unlatched the fence that kept all the chickens in the coop.

One by one the chickens came waddling out of the coop looking for food. They spotted me with the bucket and started cooing at me until I sprinkled the feed on the grass. We had sixteen chickens altogether, and my mother had names for every single one. While I fed the chickens, my mother collected eggs from their nests and placed them in a basket she held on her arm.

“So who was that man that called you the other day?” She asked, reaching into a nest.

I knew it was only a matter of time before she’d come asking about him. Luckily, I was feeling more prepared to talk to her about it now.

“A new friend.” I sprinkled more feed on the ground. “I met him at the library.”

“I’ve never heard of him before.” My mother said, eyeing me. “Is he from out of town?”

“I believe so.” I answered cryptically. “Mayor Pippins has been showing him around Greenbrooke to buy some property. He’s a real estate investor.”

“Real estate?” My mother asked, with a confused expression. “I’ve never known Greenbrooke to have a wide stock of property.”

“I know.” I nodded. “He’s just looking for now.”

“So, what did he call you for?” My mother pried.

“Nothing in particular.” I answered, feeling her eyes on the back of my head as I continued feeding the chickens. “Just to talk.”

“Just to talk?” My mother asked, stepping out of the coop. “Is there something going on between you two?”

“I’m not sure.” I hinted. “Maybe.” That was the perfect time to use her curiosity to lead my lie.

I allowed myself to smile a little to really sell the idea of me dating someone. I could tell my mother was trying not to be too pushy but was dying to know the whole story. I left her wanting more and made up an excuse about having to be at the library early today. I kissed her goodbye and hurried out the door.

I stopped at the local bakery on my way to work. Tara’s Treats was the best bake shop in town and most days there was a line out the door. I was lucky enough to get there before the morning rush came in. I ordered a buttered croissant and a latte to go.

I ate my croissant on the way to the library. The sun was already shining bright and the air was warming up. I watched a school bus filled with children bounce down the road. One of the kids waved at me as it passed by and I smiled and waved back. I loved where I lived, and I loved the life I got to live.

I thought about Ethan’s words from the other day: your life is about to drastically change. I wondered how true that would prove to be. I hoped I still got to have moments like this one. I hoped I hadn’t made a mistake. I suppose only time would tell.

I made it to work with an extra thirty minutes to kill. I let myself in through a side door and set my things down at the front desk. I prepped the library for the day, checking aisles to make sure everything was in its place and ready for the day.

Once everything was perfect, I turned on the lights and unlocked the double doors. A few people drifted in about twenty minutes later and browsed the aisles upstairs. I busied myself down below reorganizing a section of historical books to make room for a new shipment of books that had just come in.

Before I knew it, noon had come and gone and I was starving. I made my way to the front desk and searched the drawers for my snack stash. I found a granola bar hiding in the back of the drawer and I quickly snatched it up. I tore into it, practically devouring it in seconds. I was so distracted by my desperation for hunger, that I hadn’t even noticed Jake walk in through the double doors.

“Hey baby.” He teased, leaning on the desk.

I froze when I saw him, completely embarrassed that he saw me inhaling food like a wild animal.

“H-hey!” I said, wiping my mouth. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought I’d pop by for a bit while I wait for Rachel to finish her shift.” He smiled. “What are you up to?”

“Not much.” I looked around. “Just the usual.”

I put the rest of the granola bar back in my secret snack drawer and headed back over to the aisle I was working in. Jake followed me and sat on the ground while I worked.

“So, how were things the other day?” He asked, pulling a book from the shelf next to him.

I looked at him, confused. “The other day?”

“Yeah.” Jake replied, looking up at me. “With Ethan Black. Sorry I had to leave in a hurry.”

“Oh, that. It was fine.” I was more than nervous.

“Why did he need to come to the library?” Jake asked with naive curiosity.

I knew he was only asking because he was such a huge fan of Ethan’s but on the inside I was having a panic attack. Jake was the only part of this equation that I hadn’t solved yet. I knew once he heard the news that Ethan and I were dating, there would be no going back. I wasn’t ready to tell the man I’d been in love with since I was a pre-teen to know that I was officially off the market. I was still secretly holding out hope that one day he’d realize I was the only girl for him.

“He just wanted to show his business partner the layout.” I answered, feeling a little panicky. “They’re looking for properties to invest in here in Greenbrooke and Ethan wants to use the library for inspiration.”

“Ethan.” Jake repeated. “You’re on a first name basis with him?”

“Uh, yeah?” I said, nervously.

This was the moment. If I was going to sell the lie, then everyone had to believe it. Even Jake. Especially Jake.

“He told me to call him Ethan over dinner the other night.”

“Wow, it seems you two are really getting along.” Jake had an odd expression on his face.

I could tell he was looking for more, but Ethan told me it was better to drop breadcrumbs so people could draw their own conclusions before we broke the news. Before I could say anymore I spotted a tall teenage boy walking through the double doors of the library. He was carrying the most beautiful bouquet of pink roses. I walked back over to the front desk and Jake followed closely behind.

“Hi there.” I said, as the boy approached the front desk. “Are you lost?”

“I don’t think so.” The boy looked at me directly. “This is the library, correct?”

“Yep. How can I help you?”

“I have a delivery for Mia Jones.” He said, reading my name off a clipboard in his hand.

“That’s me.” I was surprised. Ethan told me he was going to start sending me gifts, I just didn’t realize it’d be so soon. The boy handed me the bouquet and asked me to sign something on his clipboard. He left seconds later, leaving me and Jake alone and awkward.

“Wow.” Jake said, with a strange look written on his face. Was it jealousy? “Those are quite the showstopper. Who are they from?”

“I’m not sure.” I began smiling to myself. “Maybe there’s a note.”

Jake plucked a folded piece of paper from its center and opened it. There was a letter from Ethan written inside. I tried to grab the note from Jake but he was too quick. He read it silently to himself, before rolling his eyes and handing it over to me.

“Looks like you’ve got an admirer.” Jake said with disdain.

“That was an invasion of my privacy.” I snatched the note from his hands to read it.

THINKING OF YOU. I MUST ADMIT I’M CAPTIVATED BY YOUR MIND. HOPING I CAN SEE YOU AGAIN VERY SOON.

ETHAN

I smiled as I read Ethan’s words. My heart fluttered in my chest and I wondered if this was what it felt like to feel special. I tucked the note into a drawer and brought the bouquet to my nose to smell them. I had never much cared for roses in the past, but these seemed to have the most beautiful fragrance. I took in another deep whiff and sighed happily to myself.

“So, you two are a couple?” Jake asked, snapping me back to reality.

“No.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s just a friend.”

“It looks like he’d like to be more than friends.” Jake said, eyeing me. “Do you want to be more than friends with him, too?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged with a shy smile. “Maybe.”

“Oh, my god,” Jake began shaking his head.

“What?” I asked, innocently. “He’s nice and we get along.”

“I don’t know.” Jake said, skeptically. “It doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

“What do you mean?” I argued. “Didn’t you tell me the other day that it would be good to date him? Aren’t you his biggest fan? I would have thought you’d be more supportive than anyone.”

“Don’t get me wrong.” Jake waved his hands. “The man’s an entrepreneurial genius. It’s just, men with that kind of money tend to be womanizers. I’m just looking out for you.”

“Well thanks for the heads up.” I said, placing the bouquet on my desk. “But I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself.”

“Fine by me.” Jake knew better than to argue with me, so he started backing off. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I’m fine.” I started stacking a few papers on my desk.

I had to play the part, but on the inside I was beaming. I had never seen Jake be so protective of me. It felt incredible to know he cared, and I wished the feeling would last forever.

Maybe this whole scheme would turn out to be a good thing and Jake would realize that we should be together. I hoped that him seeing me with Ethan would show him how painful it was to watch someone you cared about be with the wrong person.

Seconds later I saw Rachel, Jake's girlfriend, come waltzing in through the double doors of the library. She flipped her long blonde hair as she entered as if she were the main character in a movie and I rolled my eyes. She wore a tiny red mini skirt and heels. I wondered what reality she was living in where that would be an appropriate outfit to wear to work.

“Your girlfriend’s here.” I sighed.

Jake looked over at Rachel with a happy expression and quickly walked over to greet her.

“Hey, babe.” He said, hugging her. “Ready for our date?”

“Are you kidding?” Rachel scoffed. “You were supposed to pick me up. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I thought we agreed to meet at the library?” Jake looked at her with a guilty expression.

“No.” Rachel said, annoyed. “Once again, you’ve made Mia the priority. No offense Mia.”

“None taken.” I gave her a fake smile while I pretended to busy myself at the desk.

“Baby, I’m sorry.” Jake started rubbing her shoulders. “It was just a misunderstanding. Please don’t be upset.”

Jake kissed her cheek, and I almost gagged. I hated seeing him be affectionate with her. It looked unnatural. Rachel gave Jake the silent treatment while he continued to kiss her cheeks all over. Finally, she gave in and cracked a coquettish smile.

“Okay.” She giggled. “I forgive you.”

“Thank you.” Jake flirted, and they held hands.

I rolled my eyes and continued to look for things to do at the desk. Rachel spotted my flowers and immediately perked up.

“Baby!” She squealed. “Are those for me?”

“Not this time, babe.” Jake said, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. “They’re for Mia.”

“How sweet.” Rachel feigned kindness. “You bought yourself flowers?”

My blood boiled a little. She was so good at throwing underhanded jabs. I didn’t understand how Jake couldn’t see it. She was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

“Actually, they’re a gift.” Jake said before I could answer. “It appears that Mia has caught the attention of a very rich man.”

“Oh.” Rachel looked genuinely surprised. “Well isn’t that something.”

“I’m happy for her.” Jake said with a smile. “Mia’s the best person I know and any man lucky enough to be with her better be ready to give her the world.”

“Thanks.” I replied to the sweet comment, feeling red all over.

“Wow.” Rachel said, immediately jealous. “Thanks a lot, Jake.”

She rolled her eyes and stormed off through the double doors and disappeared outside.

“Babe, wait! I-I didn’t mean it like that.” Jake called out to her. “I’m sorry Mia. I’ll talk to you later.”

Jake ran through the double doors after Rachel, leaving me in the silence of the library. A couple of people stared over at me and I whispered an apology to them.

I didn’t care that Jake and Rachel were fighting. I hoped they’d have a big argument and realize they were no good for each other. I hoped they’d say terrible things to each other and break up on the spot. A part of me felt guilty for feeling these things, but then I remembered how terrible Rachel was to me all those years when she bullied me at school, and that guilt slipped away. It was my turn to be the ‘it’ girl. It was my turn to live in the limelight.