Chapter 6 : Say Yes to Life

Mia's POV

Sundays were my lazy days. The library was closed and I got to stay home and focus on my other hobbies. I was feeling creative this morning so I took a blank canvas and set it up on the front patio of my house. I put my headphones on and played a motivation playlist that a friend had recommended me and began painting.

I wasn’t a good painter by any means, but it didn’t keep me from attempting. I normally just painted what I saw. Today, that was Greenbrooke. My family’s house sat on a main street on the edge of town and there were always people and cars bustling by.

Greenbrooke and my family. The two things I am focusing and fighting for, and the two things why I was considering this ridiculously wonderful and scary proposal from Ethan Black.

My mom was inside cooking a beautiful concoction of bacon, eggs, potatoes, and biscuits just as my dad was getting home from a house call. My dad was the town handyman. He knew everything there was to know about home improvement and building maintenance.

I watched my dad put his pickup truck in park right on the curb in front of our house. He hopped out of the driver’s side and let himself in through the front yard gate. He winked at me as he approached the patio steps.

“Hey, kiddo.” He said with a smile. “Your mom inside?”

“Uh huh.” I smiled. “Can’t you smell the bacon?”

“Ah, right.” My dad kissed my forehead before going inside.

My dad smelled of sweat, dust and grease and it made me feel safe. I savored the scent for a moment before returning to my painting. My music blasted in my headphones as I people-watched the passers by.

“I’m heading to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription.” I heard my sister Allie’s voice say as she came outside. “You wanna come?”

“Nah.” I shrugged as she walked over to me, jingling her keys. “You go ahead.”

“You sure?” Allie asked. “I was gonna get ice cream on the way back.” She wiggled her brows and winked at me.

“That’s alright.” I smiled and shook my head. “I’m in a rhythm right now.”

“Well I’m leaving in five if you change your mind.”

Allie disappeared back inside and I returned to my painting. Allie was my older sister. I don’t know if it’s ethical to have favorite siblings but she was definitely mine.

She kept me grounded and I always wanted to be around her. She was my safe space and my confidant. My phone rang just then. It was Jake. My heart fluttered at the sight of his name and I wondered what he was doing today.

“Hi, Jake.” I said, with a little too much enthusiasm. “How are you?”

“Pretty good, superstar!” He said and my heart skipped a beat. “How are you?”

“Good.” I answered. “Just enjoying my day off.”

I was hoping Jake would get the hint and offer to hang out. I wanted him to be mine so badly it hurt. I wished he would break things off with Rachel and realize I was the right one for him. And if we could never be together, I wished that we could at least spend all of our time together like we used to when we were kids. I hated how adulthood changed things between us.

“How’s work been for you?” Jake asked as I heard him shuffle something in the background.

“Alright.” I had a hand on the brush and the other on the phone. “Mayor Pippins almost gave me a heart attack the other day.”

“Why?” he asked with genuine concern.

“He was giving a tour to some big shot investor.” I started, filling him in on what had happened. “Apparently the man is looking to buy property here in Greenbrooke to turn into a mall.”

“A mall?” Jake asked, shocked. “Here in Greenbrooke?”

“I know.” I scoffed. It was good to talk like we used to. “We’re not really a mall kind of town.”

“Hardly.” Jake laughed and that made me smile. “Who was the investor?”

“You don’t know him.” I said. “He’s not from here. Just some real estate tycoon. Ethan Black is his name. I actually got dinner with him the other night.”

“Wait, THE Ethan Black?” Jake gasped and I was a little bit taken aback that he was more interested in Ethan than he was in my having dinner with him.

“You know him?” I asked with some surprise.

“Know him?” Jake gasped again. “He’s only the most successful man in the industry for the last five years!”

I rolled my eyes. Jake had been studying business economics for the last couple of years and had always dreamt of meeting the big shots who had made a name for themselves in their respective industries.

“How in the hell did you get to have dinner with him?” Jake asked with obvious jealousy, but more of a jealousy of getting to meet Ethan than anything else.

“I don’t really know.” I started wondering if it was such a good idea to tell Jake about Ethan’s proposal. “He came by the library to look over a few things and we just got to talking.”

“Do you think he’d be willing to meet with me?” Jake asked and I started to get annoyed.

“I’m not sure.” I replied, trying to change the topic. “I don’t really know him too well myself.”

“I can’t believe Ethan Black is in Greenbrooke.” Jake said, still in shock.

“What’s so great about him?” I asked, annoyed that everyone was so impressed with this man.

“Are you kidding?” Jake began acting like a mesmerized teenager excited to meet his favorite pop star. “The man’s a god! He’s accomplished more in just a few years than most real estate investors accomplish in their lifetime. Not to mention his extensive list of philanthropic work. He’s donated more than a hundred million dollars to different cancer organizations and studies.”

“Wow.” I was a little surprised. “I had no idea. I suppose I’ll have to tell him all about his biggest fan during our next meeting.”

“You’re meeting with him again?” Jake asked, baffled.

“Yep.” I replied while chuckling.

“You don’t suppose you’d be willing to put in a good word for your best friend?” Jake said, jokingly. “Maybe an autograph as well?”

“I’ll see what I can do.” I laughed and shook my head, Jake was never going to grow up.

“So, are you two… dating?” Jake asked, and this surprised me.

“Oh, god no!” I didn't want Jake to think I was tied down. “We’re just meeting up to talk about the library.”

“Well, all I’m saying is it wouldn’t be so bad if you did have a man in your life.” Jake said. “It’d be nice to see my best friend happy.”

Did he really just propose the idea of me dating Ethan?

“I am happy.” I was feeling my heart sink into my stomach.

“Damn it, that’s Rachel on the other line.” Jake said. “I gotta go. Can I call you later?”

“Sure.” I said, as my smile faded.

We hung up just as my sister Allie was coming out the front door again.

“I’ll be right back.” She said with her car keys in hand. “Call me if you need anything while I’m out.”

“Actually, I think I will go with you.” I sighed, abandoning my painting. “I think it’d be good to get out for a bit.”

“Okay.” Allie shrugged while giving me a look. “But hurry up, I want to get back before mom’s done cooking.”

Allie went straight to the back of the drug store to pick up her prescription when we made it to the Greenbrook Pharmacy. She and her boyfriend Lewis had been trying to start a family for the longest time and were struggling to get pregnant. Her doctor put her on fertility medication in hopes that it would jumpstart things.

Allie was the best person I knew and I was confident that she’d make an incredible mother. I hated that she had to try so hard to get something that she truly wanted. But she never felt sorry for herself. She would always say that God would bless them with a child when it was the right time and until then, she was having fun practicing.

She was another reason why I needed to do everything in my life to help her. I could make it happen if I had the money.

“So what’s new?” Allie asked on our way back home.

“Not much.” I looked out the window. “I feel like I’m in a rut.”

“How so?” Allie asked as she poured a handful of gummy bears into her mouth.

“I can’t put my finger on it.” I said honestly. “I just don’t feel happy.”

“I bet I can guess why.” I looked over at her, wondering what genius answer she could have for me. “You’re stuck on Jake.” She said bluntly.

“What?” I asked, a little caught off guard. “What do you mean?”

“Come on, Mia.” Allie smiled, the gummies stuffed to one side of her cheek. “It’s not much of a secret that you like him.”

I put my head back on the headrest, knowing that she was right.

“Yeah, everyone except Jake.” I said, rolling my eyes.

Her finger waved in the air.

“You need something new. You need an adventure. Maybe it’s time for you to leave Greenbrooke.”

“Leave Greenbrooke?” I asked, shocked that she could even suggest it. “I could never do that. This is our home.”

“I know.” Allie encouraged me with a smile. “All I’m saying is it might be time to gain a fresh perspective about life. I love Greenbrooke too but my college years in San Francisco were some of the most liberating years of my life.”

“Really?” I asked, a bit surprised. “You never told me that.”

“Well, it’s the truth.” Allie said. “I’m not saying you have to leave Greenbrooke. I’m just saying to try something new. You’ve been stuck in the same routine for a while now. Shake things up.”

I thought about her words as we drove home. Allie was right. I needed to get out of my comfort zone for once. What was the point of life if I didn’t live a little. I decided to give her advice and try and do something crazy for once. At our next meeting I was going to tell Ethan that I accepted his proposition. Just the thought of saying yes to him sent electricity pulsing through my veins.

We made it back home just in time for breakfast. My mom asked us to set the table while she transferred the food from skillets to serving dishes. My dad took his place at the head of the table while my mother placed everything on the table in a picture perfect setting.

Amber, my little sister and total pain, came dragging her feet into the kitchen, still wearing her pajamas. My mother kissed her forehead and handed her a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice. Amber put the pitcher on the table and took a seat next to my dad. Once everything was in its place we all sat down to eat. My dad reached for a biscuit and my mom slapped his hand.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” My mother said in a sassy tone.

“What?” My dad gave her a flirty smile.

“Mark Jones.” My mom looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Say grace, please.”

“Fine.” My dad smiled, pinching my mom’s side.

We all bowed our heads while my dad prayed. After the prayer the table was madness. Everyone was reaching over each other trying to get something on their plate before it was all gone.

“So, what’s on everyone’s agenda today?” My mom asked, taking a bite of her eggs.

“Lewis and I are going to look at some apartments today.” Allie started, taking a sip from her orange juice.

My dad rolled his eyes in disapproval but said nothing. My mother caught his eye and shook her head at him. My dad was the best dad ever but he hated to see us all growing up. He wanted us to stay babies forever.

“That sounds nice.” My mom smiled at Allie. “And what about the rest of you?”

“I’ll probably paint some more. And then I have to make a run to the library.” I said.

“I thought the library was closed on Sundays?” My mother asked suspiciously.

“I-it is.” I started to act nervously. “I just have to get something.”

“I’m not doing anything.” Amber said with a lazy tone. “If you need me I’ll be in my room listening to music.”

I rolled my eyes at her. Amber’s lackadaisical attitude about everything just rubbed me the wrong way. She seemed to have no motivation for anything other than music. And even with music, she wasn’t really doing anything with it. She just listened to playlists all day.

“Why don’t you come paint with me on the patio?” I suggested, trying to encourage her to do more.

“Ew.” Amber scoffed. “No thanks.”

“Whatever.” I shook my head and quickly gave up. At least I tried.

“Girls.” My mom cut in. “Be polite to each other.”

“Why should I?” I argued. “She’s the one being rude!”

“Mia.” My dad said. “Listen to your mother.”

I kept eating my breakfast in silence. I had nothing else to say to the little brat. At least nothing I could say in front of my parents.

I couldn’t wait to get over to the library to tell Ethan the good news about accepting his request. I was eager to start a new chapter and his proposal was the perfect way to do that. No matter what, I was going to say yes. I had to say yes. I needed to do something adventurous, and Ethan held the key.