Page 25 of Spark

“Thanks, him and I are good friends.” She looked at Oliver as she spoke and smiled widely. “He is such a great guy.” The two men smiled and gave soft calls of okay and sounds good as she turned to leave.

“Have a great day miss.” TJ called, as Mia began to descend the stairs once more. Calling behind her she replied in kind and made her way to meet tony, her grin wide.

Tony was already sipping a hot coffee, a second steaming mug placed across the table from him, when Mia entered the shop. He gave her a warm smile and gestured to the coffee. Mia practically skipped to the table, happy to be able to have a moment to catch him up on everything.

The minutes passed as she told him all about her encounters with Oliver, the report she had made about the cars she had seen, and the moments that had passed just before their coffee date upstairs.

“I don’t know girl; the man is sus af.” Tony said, sipping his second cup. “He comes down here all the time but never orders or talks to anyone.” Tony gave her a pointed look. “Plus, he is on the tv all the damn time.” Tony rolled his eyes. “I get the feeling.He gives me bad juju vibes too.” Mia gave a little laugh and sipped her own mug.

“He just won’t leave me alone.” Mia’s eyes scanned the area, her back was to the stairs, and she had this fear Oliver would be behind her all of the sudden. He hadn’t come down, not even after Todd and TJ had made their way down. They had each given tony and Mia a wave goodbye and promised to leave her keycards with tony after install. Tony was happy to accept the burden of holding the cards for her in case she wasn’t home when they finished.

“Anyway, fill me in on the mysterious boytoy!” tony reached a hand across the table and grabbed hers. His eyes were big as he waited with bated breath. Mia shook her head, loose hair falling around her. She tucked the fallen strands behind her ear and sighed.

“Well, as you know, he went radio silent and fucking ghosted me a few weeks ago.” She said, pulling her phone from her pocket. “And last night I ate shit getting out of the tub.”

“Wait, what!” Tony placed his free hand over his heart and scanned over Mia’s face. His eyes landed on the bruise, mostly covered with makeup, and gave a sharp inhale.

“Babe!” he cried, his hand shooting out of hers and to her face. “Are you okay?” Mia nodded, giving a little hiss as he gently pressed around the area.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It hurt like a son of a bitch,” she felt his fingers trace the spot, her head giving a gentle pound as she recalled the fall. “I made my way to bed at least and was able to sleep it off.”

“Gilr!” tony scolded “You should not fall asleep after hitting your head! You could have a concussion.” Tony gave her a tsking finger and sighed. “You need a guardian I swear.” He sipped his cup again. “How do you feel? Should I drive you to the clinic tobe checked out?” Mia shook her head no and placed her phone on the table.

“No, I’m fine.” She gave a soft roll of her neck and sat straighter. “Any way, when I woke up, I had a dozen missed calls and text messages. She tapped the phone. She picked it up and showed it to Tony. His eyes grew wide as she unlocked it and scrolled through the voicemails.

“Wow.” He said finally, his eyes never leaving the screen. “So, what did he say?” Mia bit her bottom lip and looked away.

“I didn’t answer.” Tony let out a gasp and shook his head.

“Why?”

“It’s been almost a month. Why should I let him explain?” She felt the same anger she had felt earlier build. “He just ghosted me.”

“But now he is desperately wanting to explain why.” Tony replied. “I mean, babe. Look at this.” He picked up her phone from the table and clicked on a text message. Mia read the words and let her heart shift.

Mia, please. You mean more to me than I could ever even express. Please, don’t give up on us.

Mia placed a hand on the table and let her head fall to rest on it. She groaned, hearing Tony tapping away on her phone. Realization struck as she sat up, Tony’s face filled with mischief. She reached out to snatch the phone from him, but he pulled away.

“Tony!” she cried, leaning over the table. “What are you doing?!” she stood, moving to his side. But Tony was faster, his thumbs working overtime as he skipped out of the way. She heard the whoosh of a text being sent and let her arms fall.

“There, I did it for you.” He said, holding her phone out for her. “Meet him. For me.” Tony’s eyes were pleading, his smile soft as she grabbed the phone.

Mia read the message tony had sent.

I don’t forgive you, but I am willing to hear you out.

It was simple and honest. She looked from the message to tony, her heart still torn as the phone vibrated in her hand.

I understand. All I want is a chance to explain. Thank you.

Mia felt tony get closer, but still mad at him she tilted the phone to her chest and narrowed her eyes at him. Tony gave a ugh sound and feigned hurt.

“Fine.” He said, collecting their mugs. “But when you two work it out I expect the biggest thank you box of chocolates you can find.” Tony blew her a kiss and turned towards the coffee counter. Without another word, Mia made her way back upstairs.

Chapter Fifteen

Mia felt the phone go off a few more times as she made her way back to her loft. Oliver was no where in sight, a pleasant blessing. When she was back inside she let herself fall into the couch and read his messages.

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