Page 19 of Christmas On Anchor Island

Henri ran a finger around the lid of her coffee. “I’m getting my own place.”

“You’re what? You said you didn’t want to do that.”

A true statement at the time. “Things change. I’m not doing as many events as I used to, and at this point I can write a book set in any kind of town without having to visit one specifically. I’ll be thirty-five next month, and I’m still living part-time in the bedroom I’ve had since I was ten. It’s time to grow up and put down some roots of my own.”

“That’s… great. Wait. Are you buying a place here?”

“No, in Charleston. That’s the second part of the ticket.” Henri took a deep breath and said, “When I get settled, I’d like you to come visit. We can hit the museum, and I can take you to all the best restaurants in town. Nothing beats Low Country food.”

Mia leaned away from the table. “I appreciate the offer but—”

“There’s nothing wrong with visiting a friend, right?” she cut in. “I’m not asking you to move in with me, Mia. Or to tell Nota anything more than that you’re going away for a girls’ weekend. It’s an invite to Charleston for some art and food and hanging out. Nothing more.”

Unless you want it to be, she almost added.

Clearly uncomfortable, Mia slid the ticket back across the table. “I’ll think about it, but I can’t promise anything so keep this for now. I don’t want you to waste it.”

Henri pushed it back. “That ticket is yours whether you use it or not. I hope you will, even if you come to Charleston with someone else.” That was a lie, but she couldn’t make Mia feel something she didn’t. Rising from her chair, she added, “There are no strings, Mia. I just wanted to give you something that I thought you’d like. I promised Cal I’d watch the kids while she gets some wrapping done so I need to go. The offer to visit is always open if you decide to come. Think about it, and let me know.”

The look in Mia’s eye didn’t give Henri much hope, but she’d learned that the younger woman had to come to things in her own time. No more pushing.

“I do appreciate the thought,” Mia said, turning the ticket over in her hands. “Will I see you at Pilar’s on Saturday?”

Hiding her disappointment, she said, “I’ll be there.”

“Good.” Mia relaxed. “Thanks again.” She held the ticket up. “I really will think about this.”

That was all Henri could ask. “See you Saturday, Mia.”

“See you.”

Henri was numb enough on the walk to her car that she didn’t even feel the cold air whipping around her. Once in the driver’s seat, she tried not to feel like a fool, but at least Mia could never claim she didn’t know where Henri stood.

At least now she knew where Mia stood as well. Henri should have known better than to get her hopes up. So much for second chances.

* * *

“She said all of that,and you didn’t say anything back?” Lauren asked as she continued to break down a chicken. “Are you kidding me?”

Mia leaned on the stainless steel counter, attempting to stay out of the way as the Pilar kitchen staff prepped for evening service. “What was I supposed to say? I walked into Hava Java thinking I was going to get a coffee and consult on some book covers. I was completely unprepared.”

She tossed a drumstick into a steel bowl. “You knew that meetup wasn’t about covers, and you were supposed to say you want all of those things, too.”

If only those words had come. A voice in her head had screamed tell her! while her heart had done a happy dance in her chest. But wanting all the same things didn’t mean she could have them. Or that she’d even know what to do if she could. Locking that part of herself away came with more consequences than living in fear of being found out. Mia had virtually no relationship experience. She’d buried her sexuality so deep for so long that she sometimes felt as if she had no feelings at all.

Until Henri entered a room, and then a fire ignited in her gut that scared Mia half to death. Like putting her hand into a flame, her reaction was to pull away.

“I can’t do that. It isn’t fair to her.”

Lauren rolled her eyes hard enough to pull a muscle. “You think what you’ve been doing is fair? It isn’t. Not to you or to her. This isn’t the first time Henri has told you how she feels. The fact that she’s willing to settle for friendship just to spend time with you proves how much she cares. Tell her you feel the same way already.”

It wasn’t that easy. “And then what?” Mia asked. “She’s leaving after New Year’s, and I’m stuck here.”

The knife froze as blue eyes met hers. “Is that how you feel? Like you’re stuck here?”

Guilt washed over her. “No, of course not. I love this island and being here with Grandma.”

Lauren set the knife down and tugged off her latex gloves before stepping around the prep station. “Tell me the truth. Do you feel stuck?”

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