Chapter 11 : Butterflies

Ethan's POV

I returned to Greenbrooke after taking care of a few things back home in New York. I was equal parts anxious and excited to see Mia. I checked into a hotel closer to the heart of town so I could be near the library. I knew people would gossip if I was intentionally closer to her and I was hoping for some buzz about the blossom of our new romance.

I spent some time getting situated at my hotel before running any errands. I took a long shower to wash away the airplane smell and then put on a clean suit. I wanted to look my best today so people would see that Mia was with a quality man.

I left my hotel around noon and Hector dropped me off at city hall so I could pay a visit to Mayor Pippins. This time I didn’t even bother stopping to chat with the woman at the front desk. I went straight through the double doors and made my way down the long hallway to Mayor Pippins’ office. I knocked twice and waited for a response.

“Come in!” He called out and I let myself in.

“Hello, Mayor Pippins.” I said, closing the door behind me.

“Ethan!” Mayor Pippins exclaimed, as I took a seat. “Welcome back to town. How was your trip back home?”

“Good.” I nodded. “Productive.”

“Well, what can I do for you today?” Mayor Pippins asked with eager eyes.

“Yes.” I said, sitting forward. “I wanted to discuss another property for the shopping outlet. I saw an old warehouse on the edge of town last week. What’s the story there?”

“Ah, you mean the old candle factory?” Mayor Pippins said, rubbing his chin. “I’m not sure that’d be the best fit for you. It’s pretty run down so it’d need a lot of work.”

“That’s fine by me.” I chuckled. “I like a challenge.”

“The location’s also a bit awkward.” Mayor Pippins admitted. “Are you sure you want to open up a mall at the edge of town?”

“I think it’s perfect.” I said, smiling with confidence. “I spotted quite a bit of empty land over there as well. If I opened a mall, I’m sure it would drive more investors to buy land in that area as well.”

“Well I’m a bit of a skeptic.” Mayor Pippins said politely. “But you’re the professional so I trust your judgment.”

“Thank you.” I said, excited for a new project. “With your blessing, I can have contractors on site very soon.”

“Absolutely!” Mayor Pippins said with an eager grin. “Thank you for bringing your business to Greenbrooke.”

I nodded and we shook hands. I told Mayor Pippins that my company would take care of the paperwork and we could discuss the project more once the purchase was final.

“Why wait?” Mayor Pippins said, excited. “Let’s sign the paperwork today!”

“Sure.” I said, feeling the rush. “Let’s do it!”

Mayor Pippins made a phone call from his desk phone and asked someone to draw up the paperwork for me to sign. We talked about the town and its culture while we waited. Mayor Pippins went on and on about how his great-great-great grandfather was one of the first known residents of Greenbrooke and how he even had a hand in establishing the railroad system. I politely nodded along even though I was bored out of my mind.

After a few more minutes of waiting, I excused myself so that I could call my bank to begin the wire transfer for the warehouse. When I returned, a sweet older woman was walking toward Mayor Pippins’ office at the same time as me. She was holding some paperwork in her hands and I assumed it was the documents to sign over ownership of the warehouse to me.

“Hello there.” She said with a kind nod.

“Hello.” I said, nodding back at her.

“Are you the gentleman who’s going to buy that old warehouse?” She asked with inquisitive eyes as we walked toward his office together.

“That’s me.” I said, fixing my tie.

“I think it’s just wonderful that you’re coming to help Greenbrooke.” She said with a happy smile. “We’re an old town and we sure could use a young fellow like yourself to come whip this town back into shape.”

“I’m happy to do it.” I chuckled.

I opened the door to Mayor Pippins’ office and waited for her to enter first. Mayor Pippins thanked her for the paperwork and she nodded and gracefully exited his office, winking at me as she left.

I took pictures of the contract and sent it over to my lawyer, he promptly went through them, he always did when I sent him documents, and in less than thirty minutes he told me the document was good, no secret clauses nor shady legal backdoors that I should worry about.

The signing took about twenty minutes or so, but once I was all done I felt amazing. I usually felt a rush of adrenaline when I made a new purchase. Mayor Pippins popped a bottle of champagne and he had an assistant take our picture in the lobby. Everything was working out exactly the way I wanted it.

I left city hall with a smile on my face and a newfound confidence about my decision. When I walked outside, Hector was already waiting for me by the car. He opened the backdoor for me and I climbed in. I told Hector to take me to the library so I could see Mia and he happily obliged.

When we arrived at the library, it was nearly four o’clock and I knew she’d be getting off of work soon. I waited outside on a nearby bench until she came walking out with an arm full of books.

“Hey!” I said, standing up to help her.

“Ethan.” She said, a bit surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought I’d fly in a day early.” I said, taking the stack of books from her hands.

I hugged her with my spare hand and she awkwardly hugged me back.

“What’s all this?” I asked, looking at the stack of old run down books in my hands and handling them to Hector, who took them to the car. .

“Work.” She groaned. “I’m behind on a few projects so I thought I’d repair these at home to save time tomorrow.”

“Well.” I said, feeling chipper. “Can it wait? I was hoping to take you out.”

“Out?” Mia asked, as we walked. “Like on a date?”

“Of course.” I said, nodding. “Where’s the best restaurant in Greenbrooke? Now that I’m back, it’s time to start the next phase of our plan.”

“And what’s that?” Mia asked, seeming a little annoyed.

“Is everything alright?” I asked, a little confused by her candor. “You seem off today.”

“I’m sorry.” Mia sighed as we walked down the sidewalk.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, fearing the worst.

“If we’re going to do this, I think it’s only fair that you know everything about me.” She said after a long pause of silence.

“Sure.” I said, nodding. “You can tell me anything.”

“I wasn’t fully honest with you before.” She said, looking up at me with guilt. “That guy you met the other day, Jake? You were right. I do have feelings for him.”

“Oh.” I said, feeling a pit forming in the bottom of my stomach.

“It’s just, we’ve been friends for a long time now. Almost our whole lives.” Mia continued. “I’ve watched him date almost every kind of girl imaginable, and it never works out.”

“And you wish he’d give you a chance?” I said, guessing.

“I don’t know.” She sighed as we walked. “I just don’t understand why he’s never even looked my way. What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing.” I said, feeling sorry for her. “You’re wonderful.”

“I was doing fine until he started dating little miss perfect.” Mia said, rolling her eyes.

“And who’s that?” I said, as we crossed a busy street.

“Rachel.” Mia said through grit teeth. “They started dating last year and Jake’s been a different person ever since.”

“How so?” I asked as we stepped back onto the sidewalk.

“He’s like puddy in her hands!” Mia exclaimed in frustration. “He does whatever she says. I don’t understand how he could be with someone who was so cruel to his best friend in high school.”

“She was cruel to you?” I asked, intrigued.

“Extremely.” Mia said with emphasis. “It was because of her incessant bullying that I was in therapy for three years after high school.”

“Geez.” I said, not knowing what else to say, but taking mental notes on doing my own research about this Rachel girl.

“I just don’t get what he sees in her.” Mia said, shaking her head. “He swears she’s changed but I don’t believe it.”

“Has Rachel ever apologized to you for any of it?” I asked, fully invested in the story now.

“Actually yes.” Mia admitted. “But I feel like she was just doing it to please Jake.”

“Why do you think that?” I asked with curiosity.

“Just a feeling.” Mia replied with a shrug. “It didn’t feel genuine at all. And now Jake and I hardly hang out anymore.”

“I’m sorry.” I said, feeling bad for her.

“It’s not your fault.” Mia said, shaking her head. “I’m just having a hard day. Today’s their anniversary, and I guess I’m just feeling sorry for myself.”

We approached a small restaurant and Mia gestured for us to walk in. It was called Francesca’s and there was beautiful greenery intertwining all over the outside of the building. I opened the door and waited for Mia to walk in first.

We were met by a hostess working at the front. She escorted us to a table in the back of the restaurant. The restaurant was quaint and it had a certain charm to it that made me feel at home. There were candles lit all around and jazz music playing quietly in the background.

“Thank you.” I said to Mia once we were seated.

“For what?” She asked, confused.

“For trusting me with that.” I answered. “It couldn’t have been easy to share.”

“Oh.” Mia said, avoiding eye contact. “You’re welcome, I guess.”

We both sat awkwardly for a moment, not really knowing what to say next. Thankfully a waiter walked up to take down our drink orders, saving us from the painful silence between us. We both ordered white wines and the waiter promised to be right back. We thanked him and he walked away.

“I want to say something.” I said, sitting forward.

“What?” Mia asked, fidgeting with her napkin.

“I want to make a promise to you.” I continued. “I know we haven’t known each other for that long, but we’re in this together now. I promise to do everything in my power to change your life for the better. And I promise not to make a fool out of you.”

“Okay.” Mia nodded, smiling a bit. “I promise the same, too. I want to make you proud and happy to show me around.”

Just as our waiter was returning with our wine, I spotted Jake and who I assumed to be his girlfriend Rachel walk through the front door of the restaurant. Anxiety danced around in my stomach as I tried to think quickly about what to do next. I didn’t want Mia to see them and spiral again. I needed to do something fast. I saw Jake look over at us so without thinking I leaned forward and pulled Mia close to me and kissed her, right there in front of the entire restaurant.

I felt butterflies in my stomach when our lips touched. Something awoke inside of me and I suddenly didn’t care who was watching us. It was the most innocent and intense kiss all at the same time that I’d ever experienced. A part of me wished it could go on forever. When I sat back in my seat, Mia sat still with eyes wide in total shock, and cheeks red. She felt it too.