Page 75 of Claimed By my Frenemy

Hearing her voice brings a rush of emotions. I thought they had already worked their way through me but now, they’ve popped up again. "Mia, hi. It's good to hear from you." My voice sounds a little falsely cheerful, but I’m trying to cover up the fear that’s deep inside me.

There is a brief pause before she speaks again, her tone cautious. "Can we talk? I think we need to clear the air. It's…been a little while.”

"Of course," I say quickly, perhaps too quickly. "When and where?"

"How about dinner tomorrow night? Maybe that little fish grill on Main Street?"

"That sounds perfect. I'll be there at seven if that’s not too late."

"Okay. I'll see you then.” She hangs up a moment later. No goodbye or anything else, but my mind is already racing.

Tomorrow night. It isn't much time, but it’s something. A chance to explain myself, to apologize, to try to repair the damage I have done.

By the timeevening rolls around the next day, I am a bundle of nerves. I change clothes at least three times, finally settling on something casual but neat. I don't want to look like I am trying too hard, but I also want to show her that I care. I don’t know the purpose behind the dinner, I realize. Is she wanting to talk to me to discuss business or something else? Maybe she wants to talk about our potential as a couple? Or am I being too hopeful thinking that?

As I stand in front of the mirror, adjusting my collar, I take a deep breath. "You can do this. Just be honest. Be sincere. She deserves the truth. Tell her how you feel about her."

I arrive at the restaurant a little early, hoping to gather my thoughts before Mia arrives. I order a glass of water and ask the waitress for a table in the back corner.

The minutes tick by slowly, and I suddenly think this was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have come early. I keep glancing at the door, waiting for Mia to walk in. My mind races with what I want to say and how I want to explain everything.

When Mia finally arrives, I stand up, my heart pounding in my chest. She looks beautiful, as always, in the flowing, beachy dress she’s wearing. I can tell by the little bit of stiffness in the way she walks that she’s not quite open or comfortable with me. Not yet. Maybe that can change.

"Thank you for meeting me,” I say as Mia reaches the table.

She swallows and looks at me, then at the table. She finally sticks out her hand, and I realize she wants to shake my hand. My heart sinks. If we’re starting this dinner with a handshake instead of a kiss or even a hug, then it’s clear where this is going.

I shake Mia’s hand and then take the seat across from her, ready for whatever bad news she might have for me.

37

MIA

I can tellthat Theo is a little nervous, and it makes me feel better. You only get nervous about things you care about.

Theo takes a deep breath, breaking the silence after the waitress has come by to take Mia’s drink order. "Mia, I need you to know that everything I've done, I've done with the best intentions. I thought I was protecting you and the community, but I see now that I went about it all wrong. Oak Island is… It’s where I grew up. You know that. I care about the community here and the ambiance I give my guests. Yes, I want to make money, but I’m not going to do that at the price of ruining the island."

I look at him. He’s studying me with sincere brown eyes. "Tell me everything, Theo. I need to understand. I’ve learned bits and pieces here and there, but I shouldn’t have to send out a private investigator to know what you’re up to, not if you really care about me."

Theo nods, running a hand through his hair. "It started with Steve. Since the start of this project, he’s been about maximizing profit, no matter the cost. When he suggested pushing you to sell your property, I knew it was wrong, but I didn’t know howto stop him. I thought if I played along, I could buy time to find a better solution. At first, I really wanted to buy the property, before… Well, before I knew it was yours and how you were planning to use it."

Theo pauses, his gaze fixed on the crab dip and crackers the waitress just brought out. I usually love crab dip, but I can’t bring myself to touch it right now.

"When I saw how much it was hurting you, I realized I couldn't keep lying to you. But by then, it felt like I was trapped between a rock and a hard place. Steve threatened to sabotage the whole project if I didn’t push forward with the original plan. I was trying to buy time so I could figure out what to do."

I feel bad for Theo. I hadn’t realized how much pressure he was under. But I still feel like he owed me this conversation weeks ago. "Why didn’t you tell me, Theo? Why keep it all a secret?"

"I didn’t think I needed to. I was going to take care of it. I didn’t know how low Steve would stoop until, well….he started stooping and I realized I couldn’t play limbo with him."

His vulnerability takes me by surprise, and I feel my anger beginning to melt away. "So, what did you do?"

"I decided to buy out Steve’s share of the project. It was the only way to protect both you and the community. I’ve… It’s taken me a while to figure out how it would be possible, but I did it."

“How did you do it? I mean, he had to have put a lot in. How did you?”

I can see Theo avoiding my eyes, and I know he’s hiding something.

“Theo,” There’s a warning in my voice. If he starts hiding things again, then I’m done. I can’t keep going.

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