Page 44 of Mysterious

Mia shrugs and turns to open her car door. “I’m headstrong. There’s a difference.”

As I get out and walk around to her side of the car, I can’t help but laugh. “Exactly what would the difference be?”

She stands up, and I close the car door behind her while she walks away. “Headstrong is positive. Stubborn is just stubborn,” she says with a giggle.

Turning back to look at me, she says, “I can’t wait to see your mother again. She included the sweetest card with those flowers she and your father sent, so I want to thank her in person for saying such lovely things when I needed it most.”

I take her hand in mine and bring it to my lips to press a kiss to her knuckles. “I love you. If this gets too much, just give the signal and we’re out of here.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m going to be okay. I love big families. Remember the Bradys?”

She’s right. She will be okay. I plan to make sure of that.

My father pullsme aside on the back porch of my grandmother’s house as Mia tells my mother, Shay, and Olivia about the time she met Elton John. They look like they’re hanging on every word that comes out of her mouth, as if she’s giving them the secret to a long life.

“She looks like she’s doing all right. How about you?” my father asks in a low voice.

“I’m fine, Dad. My attorney thinks the D.A. down there isn’t really interested in going through with this whole thing. I’m sticking with self-defense, so if it goes to trial, he thinks the jury will see things the way I do.”

“You have enough money to cover things? I know you’re going to tell me you don’t need any, but your mother and I were talking and since we’ve taken care of Wilder’s legal problems more than once, we think it’s only right that we do the same for you.”

The sincerity in his eyes that look so much like mine makes me smile. He wants me to know no matter how much he’s done for my younger brother that he hasn’t forgotten me.

But my father doesn’t have to worry that I feel that way. Wilder is who he is, and I’m who I am. I don’t blame my parents for wanting to help their kids in any way they can.

“I’m good, Dad. You and Mom don’t have to worry. I have the money you guys gave me when I turned twenty-one, and Mia’s got money. We’re good.”

His eyes open wide at my mention of Mia. “So it’s a we’re thing? Any plans I should know about?”

Turning to look behind us, I see my mother grab onto Mia’s arm as she tells them all about how some singer invited her to co-write with him for his next record. “Well, I think Mia’s going to be doing a song with some guy, but for the life of me, I can’t remember his name. By the way Mom is reacting, I’m guessing he’s a big deal.”

My father elbows me and laughs. “Everything about Mia is a big deal to your mother. She tells every person she comes in contact with that you and Mia are together. I’m thinking she’s going to start approaching strangers to tell them soon.”

“She is a big deal,” I say as I watch her charm the women in my family now that my grandmother has joined the group.

“So about those plans? Anything you want to give me advance notice of?” my father says in a low voice.

I know what he’s getting at, but Mia and I aren’t ready to go there yet. Maybe someday, but for now, we’re just taking things one day at a time.

With a shrug, I try to be as noncommittal as possible, even though I know whenever I talk about Mia and me looking casual flies right out the window. She’s everything, my entire life, and I can’t hide it. That’s how it is when you’re crazy in love with someone.

“Nothing yet, but if anything happens, I’ll make sure to tell you and Mom first.”

My father leans in next to my ear and whispers, “Tell me first. Your mother always gets the news in this family before me. For once, I’d like to be the one who knows before she does.”

Shaking my head, I laugh at how funny my father can be. “Okay, Dad. If and when there’s any big news about Mia and me, you’re the first member of our family I’ll tell.”

Just then, Mia turns around to give me a smile and mouths, “They are so into this story!”

What they’re into is her, and I can understand why. I’ve been crazy about her from almost the first day we met.

Well, maybe a couple days after that. Those first days, she just drove me crazy.

Next to me, my father says in a low voice, “You look happy, Liam.”

I nod, unable to stop smiling as I watch the woman I love enchant my family just like she does her fans. And me every day.

Turning to face him, I shrug. “I am. I never thought I’d get to have what you and Mom and everyone else seemed to find, but somehow in all the madness in Mia’s life, I found something incredible. Someone incredible, Dad.”

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