Page 106 of Regards, Mia

I envy her riding a motorcycle for the first time. There’s nothing quite like the first thrill of speed and power.

I turnoff the main highway onto a one-lane road that cuts a path between the giant trees. It smells like Christmas, and the damp air feels like rain. Mia’s front is pressed tightly to my back, her arms circle my waist, and her thighs wrap around me.

We are headed to my favorite place in Mossy Oak, a lookout that spans Sapphire Lake. The first time I saw the view of the crystal lake tucked into the valley between the mountains, I knew I wanted to live in Mossy Oak. It’s a view I can never get tired of, and tonight I’m sharing it with Mia. I stop the bike at the lookout and cut the engine. The lake sparkles in the moonlight, the still water reflecting the dark sky.

“It’s gorgeous,” Mia says, climbing off.

“Have you been here?”

She shakes her head. “It’s a night of firsts.”

I get off the bike and help her with the helmet. Tucking her hair behind her ear, I dip my head and kiss her cheek. I’m glad to be the one giving her these firsts. I want to see her face light up and hear her joy.

We walk closer to the edge of the lookout. Holding hands, we are quiet for some time, taking in the stunning view nature provides. The cool breeze stirs Mia’s hair, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders.

She smiles up at me, but there’s a tinge of sadness in her expression. “I wanted to kill him,” she says.

I squeeze her tightly, remembering the look on Mia’s face when she held him at gunpoint. “I know.”

She shivers, and I pull her closer, tucking her head beneath my chin. “How can I uphold the law when people like Mattson walk free, and people like Elena are forced to take justice into their own hands? I failed her.”

I ease back and look her in the eyes. “Don’t blame yourself.”

Her mouth pinches in a line, and she closes her eyes. “I don’t think I can go back.”

I grip her shoulders and force her to look at me. “What do you mean?”

“I can’t do my job anymore.”

I rub a soothing hand down her arms. “Take a few days to think it over.”

“No. My mind is made up.”

“But you love your job.” Her job is everything to her.

“I used to love my job. But I can’t prosecute people like Elena. I won’t.”

“You can’t give up your life’s work so easily.”

“Don’t you understand? It’s not black and white to me anymore. Not since I met you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look at you, Jay. You’re smart, honest, and the best guy I know. How did a guy like you end up in jail? For protecting his sister?”

I shake my head. I don’t want to talk about me. “What do I have to do with you changing careers?”

“Everything was clear before I met you. I wanted to put away the bad guys at all costs.” She pulls in a deep breath and turns to face the view. “But it’s not so easy. Just like this view. The sky is reflected in the surface of the lake, but which one is real? It’s not always easy to tell the difference.” She sighs heavily, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m not making any sense.”

I pull her close to my side. “You’re making perfect sense. You can do whatever you want with your life. But don’t make any decisions after such a trauma. Let Jordan take over for a while.”

“Jordan!” She spits out his name. “He thinks he knows what’s best for me.” She gives me a little shove on the chest that does nothing to budge me. “Why didn’t you tell me he was paying your bill?”

“He asked me not to.”

“Didn’t you think it was strange that he told me the county was paying?”

“It’s not my place to judge. He wanted to protect you. I can respect that.”

---