Ethan's POVI couldn’t believe that Victoria Sinclair crashed my dinner with Ryan and Mia. I hadn’t seen the woman in years and now suddenly she was at the same mall as me? I was so grateful to Mia that she didn’t get upset over it. I was baffled that Victoria could be so blatantly rude. Luckily Mia was a class act. She didn’t even feel threatened by her. The alone time with Mia was proving to be the best thing that could have happened to our day. After Ryan excused himself, we headed to an ice cream shop in downtown West Village by the lake. The city was alive with good energy when we arrived. There were people wearing swimsuits, children riding bikes, and old people holding hands as they enjoyed the sights. It felt like we were at a festival. “This is so cute!” Mia squealed as Hector pulled up to a curb on the main street. “Are we still in West Village?”“Yep.” I chuckled, happy to see her excitement. She was cute when she got excited. “We’re in downtown West Village
Combined POV“We most certainly are not staying here.” I glared at Ethan from the back of the car.He must have been crazy if he thought I was going to stay with him overnight in a hotel room together. I knew it was only a matter of time before he let his testosterone get the best of him.“Did you have this planned all along?” I asked, crossing my arms. “Of course not!” Ethan said, shaking his head and laughing. “I just want you to meet someone.”“Who?” I asked, with my guard still up. “An old friend.” He said, turning to look me in the eye. “I swear it’s not like that.”“Fine, then let’s meet him and then drive back to Greenbrooke.” I said, turning to open my door. “It’s not that easy.” Ethan said, reaching for my arm. “He’s already turned in for the night. We’ll have to meet up with him tomorrow.” “I can’t stay.” I said sternly. “I didn’t tell my family I’d be staying out. They’re expecting me home tonight.”“Aren’t you a grown woman?” Ethan asked me,
Mia's POVI woke up around seven. I forgot where I was for a second and sat up in the bed, confused by my surroundings. Then it all came back to me; the flight to West Village, the dinner date, the run in with Ethan’s ex, and the best adventure I’d ever had by the lake. Yesterday was a dream. I got out of bed and went to check on Ethan. I opened the door and walked over to the couch. To my surprise, he was gone. His blanket had been folded neatly and his pillow had been placed carefully on top of it. There was a note on the coffee table and I quickly reached for it.HAD TO RUN A QUICK ERRAND. TREAT YOURSELF TO A PREPAID MASSAGE AT THE HOTEL SPA AND I’LL BE BACK IN A FEW.I practically melted as I read the words. He was the most thoughtful fake boyfriend ever. I quickly ran back to the bedroom to take a shower. I grabbed my phone and headed toward the giant bathroom. I checked my messages as I walked into the beautifully decorated bathroom and realized I had two missed
Mia's POV“So who is this friend of yours?” I asked on the way to pick up Ryan.“A childhood friend.” Ethan replied, as we held hands in the backseat of the car. “I’ve known him since kindergarten.”“What’s his name?” I asked, suddenly feeling a little tired. “Oliver.” Ethan answered plainly. “Oliver Grant.”I nodded but said nothing. It felt a little odd to me that we’d need to stay an extra night just to meet this man. I knew it wouldn’t be long before I was flying back to New York with Ethan. Why not meet him then?“Why is this meeting so important?” I asked, rubbing Ethan’s thumb. “Is there something I’m missing?”“Not really.” Ethan chuckled. “Oliver’s just a big part of my life. It’d be strange if you didn’t meet him early into the relationship.”“I see.” I said, understanding a little better. “So he’s from New York too?”“Actually, he’s from London.” Ethan corrected, as he shifted in his seat.“London?” I asked, confused. “How can he be a childhood
Ethan's POVIt was already evening when we landed back in Greenbrooke. Mia was so happy to be back on the ground that she kissed the ground once we exited the jet. I shook my head and laughed at her theatrics.Hector fetched the car and I offered to take Mia home before heading back to my hotel. She agreed, and we climbed into the back of the car. “I really like your friend, Oliver.” She said as she stared out the window. “He’s nice.”“Most people think so.” I reached for her hand and kissed her wrist. “Those stories about your childhood were cute.” Mia giggled as she turned back toward me. “I wish I could have known little Ethan back then.”“Trust me, you don’t.” I chuckled. “I was a bad kid.”“No way!” Mia gasped in shock. “I don’t believe you.”“Really, I was!” I tried to convince her. “I was always getting in trouble. I probably got suspended at least twice a semester.”“That’s insane.” Mia raised her eyebrows. “What did your parents do?”“Nothing.” I
Mia's POVMy mom woke me and Amber up early this morning to help with the household chores. It was a little past six but I didn’t have to be at the library until nine. I was still feeling a little jet lagged and I wasn’t expecting for Ethan to hang out as long as he did with my parents the night before. Still, I was grateful that it went so smoothly. “Why do we have to get up so early?” Amber complained while she collected eggs from the chickens’ coop. “Mia’s got work and I have to be at school. We should be able to sleep in.”“When you live under my roof, you have chores.” My mom began spreading chicken feed on the dirt as the chickens crowded around her. “Now hurry up, I need you to sweep the stairs after this.”“This isn’t fair!” Amber pouted. “How come Allie doesn’t have to help?”“Because Allie’s still over at Lewis’.” My mother said sternly. “Now finish your work.”“Why do Allie and Mia get to spend the night with their boyfriends and I can’t?” Amber complained,
Mia's POV“Hello ladies.” Jake awkwardly approached us. “Emily, i-it’s good to see you.”Emily gave Jake a sour look and pretended to look through her purse. Jake turned toward me with a helpless expression and I knew he wanted me to help fix it.“Nice to see you.” I said, forcing a smile. “What brings you in here?”“I was at the convenience store across the street.” He was nervous. “I saw you guys through the window and thought I’d say hi.”The three of us were quiet for a moment. It was clear no one really knew what to say next.“Alright, I guess I’ll say it.” Emily said, looking at Jake. “It’s pretty low of you to date Rachel after all she did to Mia.”“Come on.” Jake sighed. “She’s not the same person she used to be.”“So?” Emily scoffed. “She put Mia through hell. How could you even like her?”“I don’t know.” Jake shrugged, carelessly. “I just do. It just sort of happened.”“Whatever.” Emily rolled her eyes.I was surprised that Jake wasn’t trying harder t
Mia's POVEmily arrived at my house around eight-thirty. My mom was just getting home and was kind enough to let her in. I could hear the two of them chatting from my room and I knew I needed to save Emily before my mom forced her into eating something.I made my way down the hall, past Allie’s bedroom. Her door was closed and she told Amber and me that she wanted to be alone. We reluctantly agreed, even though neither one of us wanted to leave her. I tiptoed down the stairs so I wouldn’t disturb her and made my way into the kitchen. Emily was sitting at the table, talking about some military story while my mother fixed her a cup of tea. I kissed my mom on the cheek and sat down next to Emily. “Tea, baby?” My mother asked, holding up the kettle. “I’m okay.” I shook my head. “The first six weeks in Honduras were hell.” Emily continued her story. “I’ll bet.” My mother giggled as she poured tea into two teacups. “Mark and I went to Honduras for his birthday years