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She nods. “I won’t. Thank you.” Then she pulls away. “I’m going to take a shower and get dressed properly.”

“Want me to join you?”

She shakes her head. “No. Is that OK? I just need some space to sort my head out.”

I press a kiss to her forehead, trying not to worry. This doesn’t mean anything. Mia just likes to think carefully before making a move. I get it. “No problem. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you.” I hate that her eyes get watery as she turns for the bathroom.

I force myself to respect her wishes, though, and give her the space she asked for.

Instead of crowding her, I pull on some sweatpants and go downstairs to make her some tea. Then I sit at the kitchen counter and wonder how the fuck I make sure this dickhead doesn’t put one over on my girl.

When Mia comes downstairs, she’s wearing her black heels and she’s done her hair up and put makeup on. She looks great, don’t get me wrong, but somehow she doesn’t look like my Mia. I’m not that much of an idiot, though, so I just tell her she looks nice.

“Where are you going to meet him?” I hand her the tea and she gives me a half smile.

“Coral Breeze Cafe.”

I nod. There’s really not much choice in Rosella Bay. I’m proud she knows where the good coffee is. I take that as a good sign. Not that her dickhead ex deserves good coffee.

“You sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

She shakes her head, pushing her tea away. “I’ll be fine. Thank you, though. I appreciate your support. I do.”

She stands without touching the toast I made for her either.

“I’m going to head off. I won’t be long. Don’t worry, OK?”

I force my face into the worst fake smile I think I’ve ever attempted. “Yeah. No worries.” Then I follow her to the door and give her one final sound kissing before she hops into her car. Just to make a point.

Then she’s gone. I had intended to get some work done today, but I’m pretty distracted. Even so, I go measure up the timber I’ll need for the cladding on the external walls outside the kitchen and start thinking about exactly how I’m going to do this part of the reno.

My phone buzzes with a text half an hour later.

Noah: what’s your girl doing at the Coral Breeze Cafe with that Sydney wanker? Is she fucking you around?

I groan and scrub a hand across my face. The last thing I need right now is to be reminded about where Mia is. It’s churning my guts as it is.

Luke: No, she’s telling him to fuck off. Just leave it OK?

Noah: I dunno, I’d get down here if I were you. Things don’t look right to me

For fuck’s sake!

I shove my phone in my pocket and slam the front door a little too forcefully on my way out. Lucky I’m replacing it. Pretty sure I heard something crack.

It only takes me a couple minutes to drive over to the Coral Breeze Cafe and park my truck. Feeling a little guilty at ignoring Mia’s request to stay away, I slouch down in the seat like she doesn’t know exactly what car I drive, and stare across the street, trying to make them out through the window.

I spot Mia first, her dark hair catching glints of red and blonde in the sunlight. Then I spot dickhead across from her. I expected him to look angry. I expected him to look as haughty and fucking stuck up as he did standing in that bedroom this morning looking like someone jammed a pole up his arse.

Instead, he looks upset.

I mean, who wouldn’t be, right? If I’d just lost a girl like Mia, I’d be devastated. It happened to me ten years ago, and my brothers both said I was unbearable for about a year. So I can’t blame the guy. Maybe he’s actually come to his senses. Too late, but at least maybe he realises what he’s lost.

Mia stands. I can’t see her face, she has her back to me. Asshole stands, too. He swipes a hand through his hair, leaving it all mussed, which will come as a shock to his personal stylist. No doubt he’s got one to brush his hair and another one to wipe his arse.

Mia says something and Asshole’s face goes from pale to red. He gestures wildly.

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