Page 4 of Prospect Year

“Long is an understatement. Busy day at the garage, then straight to the Landing. The club was there, along with a large crowd. It’s been nonstop. But I’m not complaining. Everything here going okay?”

Mia nodded and raised the mug to her lips again. He did the same while watching her over the rim of his mug. She was not only a beauty but also comfortable and confident. It showed in her deep emerald eyes. And she never hesitated when he was around. Just like now, she sat across from him dressed for bed in the most godawful tattered lounge wear—sweats that he could tell had been cut to her height and an oversized turtleneck that had to be two sizes too big if any.

She returned her mug to the coaster and waved to Lola like someone waves for you to follow.

“More? You want to hear more of my day?”

Her eyes seemed to shine like diamonds as she nodded.

“Not much to tell. We’re restoring a Fifties custom coupe at the garage. The Landing?” Lola mustered another sip of the mystery tea. “I covered the grill tonight. The cook shack is vented but that only turns it into a sauna with the heat and the lake air. I imagine I’ll get double shifts on the grill for that very reason.

Mia’s eyes widened as she pointed toward Lola and toward the large cooktop across the room.

“Yes.” Lola chuckled. “I can cook. The Landing offers steaks and baked potatoes each day five to eight, or until we sell out. Tonight, we sold out in a little over two hours. The rest of the night, I shagged drinks and worked the bar with Brew.”

After enjoying the last of her tea in silence, Mia returned her mug to the coaster and pushed to her feet. Looking at him, she raised her brows and paused.

He nodded and rose to his feet also as she took his mug. He followed her to the sink and perched his ass on the counter. “Have you been here long?” Watching as she held up four fingers covered in suds, he asked, “Four months?” He nodded at her confirmation, wanting to ask more, knowing he shouldn’t.

Mia rinsed the suds from the sink and gave him a thumbs up, smiling.

“All done?”

She shook her head and again popped up four fingers then a thumbs up.

“Ah. It’s been a good four months.”

Her smile grew. The clean mugs and teapot were now turned upside down on a folded dish towel to drain. She dried her hands and walked to the light switch, flipping it down. Pushing from the edge of the counter, Lola turned toward the grand room, following her up the stairs. Only when she closed her bedroom door did he finally manage to disappear into his.

Chapter 3

Lola hopped down the stairs two at a time. A rare day off. He shook his head. There would be no days off, only new orders to follow. Might as well get his coffee kickstart before heading to do the bidding of the first caller of the day. He hit the main floor. Coffee. He inhaled again. And sausage. Not bad having women around.

He paused at the sight of Mia placing dishes onto the small table where they had sat the night before. He glanced toward the coffee maker. Please let this be the normal stuff. Usually, he was the one up first and made a pot. On occasion, it had been waiting for him ready, but he didn’t know by whom. His guess now would be Mia. “Morning.”

Mia smiled and settled into a seat at the table.

“Special occasion?”

She shook her head.

“Trouble sleeping? You were up late too.”

Her shoulders bounced without her looking up.

“Looks delicious.” He began filling his plate.

Mia seemed quiet. Okay, quiet may not be the right word, but something had her distracted this morning. She had shared nothing about herself, so Lola focused on the meal.

Minutes later, he placed his fork onto the empty plate as he inched it away from himself and lifted a hip, pulling out his phone.

“Lola here . . . Bring Mia to see the baby . . . Got it.”

Before he shoved the phone back into his pocket, Mia had disappeared from the room. He smiled. These women were a trip. Amber sassed him and argued and then disappeared. Mia seemed to know when she was needed, and the instant she heard ‘baby’, her eyes came alive, and she ran out.

Lola cleared the table and turned to leave the kitchen and there she was.

Mia was already dressed in a high-neck shirt replacing the long scarf she normally wore, along with a pair of jeans. Her hands speaking excitedly as she stood in the doorway.

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