Page 43 of Flirtatious

“I don’t dislike you, Mia. If you think that, you’re wrong.”

Probably heard that from her life coach. So much for coming to some meeting of the minds with Ainsley.

Still staring down at the floor, Mia refuses to look at me when she says, “Then why weren’t you around like usual today? I had to go looking for you. You always get coffee early after spending time in the gym, and then you’re around the house where I can find you. You weren’t there. Why?”

Suddenly, I feel like I’ve misunderstood everything that happened today. Sitting up, I slide over to the edge of the bed and look up at her still focused on the floor.

“I had to handle things with the new guys, so I wasn’t around like usual. That’s why. I didn’t know you needed me for anything.”

“It just felt like you weren’t here, and I didn’t like that feeling.”

“What did you need?”

Mia lets out a heavy sigh. “Nothing. I just feel better when you’re around. That’s it. I guess that sounds stupid, but I feel safer knowing you’re nearby. When you weren’t, I got anxious. It was nothing. Just forget it.”

She moves toward the door, but I feel like I should stop her. We can’t work together if she’s not comfortable, so I need to make this right.

“You don’t have to go, Mia. If you want to talk about something, we can talk. I’m not tired.”

Hesitating, she looks up and gives me a tiny smile. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. If you want to talk, we can talk.”

“Do you want to talk?” she asks, and I’m surprised at how innocent she sounds.

“Sure.”

Instantly, her smile disappears. “That’s what people say when they’re humoring you, Liam. I’m not stupid. I admit I don’t get out into the world much, but there’s this thing call TV here at the house. I’ve seen how people act when they’re placating someone. I’ll just go.”

She moves too fast for me to stop her, so I hurry behind to follow her to her room. Just as I had before, she tries to avoid me now, but it takes very little to push the door open. Mia stands staring at me in surprise, which seems odd since she literally just did the same thing to me.

“I figured turnabout was fair play. I thought we were having a conversation,” I say as I close the door behind me.

“Go back to your room. I don’t want to talk anymore,” she says, turning her back on me.

“Well, now I do, so let’s talk. I’m sorry I wasn’t around when you needed me today. Would it be a good idea for me to let you know my schedule each day so you can know where I am?”

As soon as I finish speaking, I know that came out far shittier than I wanted it to. Mia heard what I said exactly as I worried and spins around to face me with tears in her eyes.

“Does it make you happy or bring you some kind of pleasure to make me feel stupid?”

Taking a step toward her, I shake my head. “That didn’t sound like I wanted it to. I’m sorry.”

“Stop saying you’re sorry! You aren’t sorry. You’re handling me like everyone else does, and I hate it. You stopped doing that after the first few days when you set me straight on what your job is here and I respected you for that. Why are you back to handling me like I’m some fool you have to tolerate?”

“I’m not. I swear. I just don’t seem to have anything to say that makes you happy. Maybe it’s all these people around. Or maybe you’re right and I’m acting different. I don’t mean to, Mia. I liked that we were finally getting along. The past couple times we talked and I told you about my family were fun, but then you avoided me all day yesterday, and since then, things have been bad again.”

I watch as she collapses onto the bed and covers her face with her hands. I don’t know why she’s so upset, but I’m only making it worse.

Then she begins to cry and I feel like shit.

“This is all my fault. I’m sorry, Liam. You’re trying to do your job to keep me safe, and I’m a total bitch. I don’t mean to be. I don’t.”

Taking a seat next to her on the bed, I quietly say, “You aren’t a total bitch. Maybe halfway.”

Mia drops her hands from her face and stares at me. “That’s you trying to be funny, right?”

“Yes. I’m not known for my sense of humor, just in case you’re wondering.”

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