Page 10 of Claimed By my Frenemy

The cheers and laughter of my friends are still ringing in my ears. Once I can’t see the little fairy lights strung up around the bar anymore, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I can’tbelieve I just kissed Theo Roberts, the guy who’s been making my life a living hell.

As I walk back to my grandmother’s house, only six blocks away, I replay the events of the evening in my mind. What was I thinking? How could I let myself get swept up in the moment like that? Those thoughts cycle through my head over and over again. I can’t take the moment back, so I just have to move forward.

The next morning, I try to shake off the remnants of last night. I throw myself into my renovation plans, spreading sketches of possibilities across the kitchen table. I’ve got a lot of work to do if I’m going to turn this place into a bed and breakfast. But as I stare at the plans, my mind keeps drifting back to Theo and that unexpected kiss.

I push the thoughts aside and focus on the task at hand. I start making a list of supplies I’ll need for the renovations: paint, new light fixtures, maybe some updated furniture. I’ve taken notes on each room. Now, it’s time to price things out. I spend some time researching lighting options for the dim upstairs bathroom before starting into the kitchen.

But it’s no use. Every few minutes, I find myself staring off into space, remembering the way Theo’s eyes had locked onto mine, the way his lips had felt against mine. I shake my head, trying to clear the thoughts away. This is ridiculous. I’ve got more important things to focus on.

But when my decision to concentrate doesn’t pay off, I know I need to take a break and head outside to the garden. My grandmother had always loved her garden, and it’s one of the reasons I decided to stay in the house. I start pulling weeds, letting the repetitive motion calm my racing thoughts. The sun is warm on my back, and the fresh air helps clear my mind a little.

As I work, I think about how much this place means to me. My grandmother put so much love and care into this house,and I want to honor her memory by making it into something beautiful. But the thought of Theo and his relentless pursuit of the property looms over me.

No matter what Theo tries to do, I will make this place a success. Most importantly, I can’t let him distract me, no matter how handsome or charming he might be. I’m not the same girl who used to get flustered around him in high school. I’m stronger now. More focused.

But even as I tell myself this, I can’t help but wonder what Theo’s next move will be. Will he continue to try and buy me out? Or was that kiss a sign that things between us don’t have to be so hostile?

I head back inside, my mind still buzzing with thoughts of Theo. I can’t shake the feeling of his lips on mine, the way his eyes seemed to see right through me. Frustrated, I grab my phone and dial Zoey’s number. If anyone can help me sort through this mess, it’s her. She’s the only one who will listen without judgment.

“Hey, Mia! Feeling better?” Zoey’s voice is bright and cheerful.

“Hey. Actually, I was calling to see if you have a couple of minutes to talk. I mean, I know you’ve got a lot going on, but I guess I figured you’d be the best one to help me figure this out.”

“Of course. What’s up?”

I take a deep breath. “It’s about Theo. And the kiss.”

There’s a moment of silence on the other end before Zoey responds. “What about it? Stella’s pushy. You know that. You don’t have to listen to what she says.”

“I know that, but…at the moment, I don’t know. I think a small part of me wanted it too. I think, maybe deep down, I just wanted to see if that connection was still there.”

“And was it?”

“I don’t know. I feel like maybe if we had just run into one another in Wal-Mart, we might have started talking. We might have gotten along. He could have asked me on a date, and things would be different. But you weren’t there when he was practically insisting that I didn’t have any other option but selling the house. It was like he didn’t care about me as a person. He just wanted what I have—the house.”

“Mia, you’ve always been the level-headed one among us, but even you deserve a little excitement in your life. Theo clearly has an impact on you, and from what you’ve said, it sounds like he might still care about you.”

“But? Zoey, I know with you there’s always a but.”

“But you need to be careful. Don’t let him push you around or make you forget why you’re here. This bed and breakfast idea, I could tell how excited you were about it. Don’t let him take that dream away. Continue dreaming. Do your thing, and then, if there is space for something to develop, it will.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “You’re right. I need to set some boundaries. I can’t let him derail my plans. I think I’ve been too much of a pushover before. It’s time to change that.”

“Exactly,” Zoey agrees. “Confront him. Tell him how you feel and make it clear what you want. If he respects you, he’ll understand. If not, then you’ll know where he stands.”

“Thanks, Zoey. I needed that. I don’t know about the whole confronting him thing, but if he brings up the idea again, then I’ll make it clear where I stand. I’m not willing to give up everything for him. I mean, he’s a good-looking guy, but…”

“But there are other guys.”

I don’t respond to Zoey, because I know there are other guys. I’ve been dating them off and on for the last eight years. None of them have been good enough. But when I think back on Theo and how caring he was… Well, we were only fourteen, but hespent all of his grass-cutting money on a special date for us. There’s something about that I just can’t forget.

“Anytime, Mia. Just remember, follow your heart but keep your head on straight. You’ve got this. And hey, I’m always ready to talk. You don’t want to feel like you can’t talk to anyone about something. That’s when you start to feel pushed into a corner. So, I’m here. I just want you to know that.”

I wish I could hug Zoey. I’ve forgotten just how caring she can be. We’ve kept in contact, but I haven’t told her the real nitty gritty of my life. Now, I know that I can trust her advice. I feel a lot calmer now that we’ve talked.

After we hang up, I sit alone in the quiet house, thinking about what Zoey said. She’s right. I can’t let Theo get under my skin and disrupt my life. I have too much at stake with the renovations and my plans for the bed and breakfast.

Feeling renewed, I head back into the kitchen where my plans are sitting on the kitchen table. I’ve been immersed in them for an hour when the doorbell rings. I hurry down the hall to the door and look through the peephole.

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