Page 64 of Regards, Mia

Alone in my room adjoining with Mia’s, I change into my golfing clothes and pull out my phone to send a quick text to my mom.

Jay: You’re never gonna believe who I just shared a boat ride with.

Mom: Who is this?

Jay: Your son

Mom: Jay?

Jay: You only haveone son, Ma

Mom: since you never call, I wasn’t sure

Jay: I talked to you on Sunday

Mom: Who did u share a boat with????

Jay: Guess

Mom: Barack Obama

Jay: No

Mom: Brad Shelton

Only my mom would guess Brad Shelton right after a former President.

Jay: Yes. R u a witch?

Mom: Call me ASAP

Jay: I can’t. I have to go play golf. With Brad.

I swipe my phone off with a grin, which quickly disappears as I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I hardly recognize myself in slim-cut khaki pants and a lavender button-down shirt.

A knock on the divider door, distracts me from my reflection.

When I open the door, Mia is standing with her back to me, the creamy skin of her back exposed.

“Zip me up, will you?”

My heart knocks against my chest as I step forward and drag the zipper up, pulling the dress tightly to her slim waist and back.

She turns to face me, the ghost of a smile on her lips. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” My voice sounds scratchy, and I clear my throat.

Her gaze drops over me, and a smile lifts her lips. “You look almost preppy.”

I stalk back to my open suitcase and sort through the clothes. “I look like a dork.”

Mia snorts. “You could never look like a dork,” she says. “Not with those biceps.”

I glance up to find her looking at me like she’s starving and I’m the only thing on the menu. Teasing her, I flex my bicep, and watch her eyes go wide.

“You look…” her words trail off, and she presses her fist to her mouth. “You look like a hot banker.”

I can’t tell if she’s laughing or salivating behind her hand. “Don’t ever call me a banker again.”

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