Page 48 of Matched with the Grumpy Secret Prince

She barely looks up before saying, “Exactly what time did you get home last night?”

I blink, still half-asleep. “What?”

She finally lifts her eyes, scanning me from head to toe. “And why do you look like that?”

“Like what?” I mumble, heading straight for the coffee pot.

“It’s like you fought off an exorcism in your sleep and lost.” She frowns. “And were you drenched last night?”

I hesitate for a second before pouring my coffee, stalling. “Graham dropped me off,” I say, keeping my voice neutral.

Mia raises an eyebrow and then shrugs. “That was thoughtful of him.”

I hum in response, carefully sipping my coffee, hoping that’s the end of the conversation. But this is Mia, and I should’ve known better.

She tilts her head, eyes narrowing slightly. “Did you sleep at all? You’re not your usual annoying morning self. And…” She steps closer, squinting at my face. “Sophie, are those eye bags?”

I groan, rubbing at my temples. “I’m just tired.”

Mia doesn’t look convinced, but to my relief, she lets it go. Instead, she grabs her bag from the chair. “Well, take care of yourself, okay? Maybe do a little skincare before you start haunting the townspeople.”

I shoot her a glare over my coffee. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.” She grins. “I have a meeting with Aunt Dotty for book club, but I’ll be back later. Try not to spiral into whatever emotional crisis you’re clearly in before then.”

I roll my eyes as she winks and starts heading for the door, leaving me alone in the kitchen, staring into my coffee.

I hate that she can read me so well, and I hate even more that she’s right. I turn my back around so I can talk to her better. “Before you go, there’s something you need to know,” I tell her.

Mia turns back around with a curious look in her eyes. “Make it quick, Soph.”

“I can’t keep working with Graham.”

She pauses, cocking her head in question. “What?”

I take a breath, wrapping both hands around my mug. “It’s about time we wrapped things up anyway. The bulk of the designs is set, and there’s nothing left for us to do together.”

Mia gives me a long, assessing look. “That’s interesting,” she says, drawing out the words. “Because I thought things were getting better between you two.” She leans against the counter, one brow raised. “I mean, he dropped you off last night. That doesn’t exactly scream I-can’t-work-with-this-person energy.”

I tighten my grip on my mug, staring into the dark liquid. “It’s complicated.”

Mia snorts. “That’s what people say when they don’t want to explain something.”

“Exactly.” I lift my eyes to hers. “I’m not ready to explain.”

She watches me for a beat longer, probably debating whether to push. But to my relief, she exhales, grabbing her bag from the chair. “Fine. I’ll let you be mysterious—for now.” She points a finger at me. “But whatever this is, don’t let it mess up the wedding plans. Ethan and Riley deserve the best.”

I nod, though I don’t think this—whatever this is—has anything to do with the wedding anymore. It’s me. It’s him. It’s the fact that every time I try to put up a boundary between us, something happens that makes me want to cross it.

Mia gives me one last knowing look before heading for the door. “I’ll be back later,” she calls over her shoulder. “Try not to spiral.”

I sigh as the door clicks shut behind her.

By the time I finish my breakfast, my mind is set.

I have to end this.

Whateverthisis.

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