Page 85 of Regards, Mia

“Everybody thought Brad and I wouldn't make it longer than five minutes, too.” She inches forward, invading my personal space again. “But look at us, now. Five years later and still just as strong as ever.”

I shuffle up in line, pretending to study the drink selections. “Congratulations.”

She presses close enough to brush the back of my arm. “Do you want to know the secret to our marital success?”

She’s too close, and there isn’t anywhere for me to go. She doesn’t wait for my answer.

“We don’t limit ourselves,” she says.

A cold trickle of sweat runs down the back of my neck as I get her meaning. This woman is unbelievable. Even though it’s almost my turn to order a drink, I abandon the line, not wanting to stand next to Anna any longer than necessary.

“Hey!” She calls after me. “Where are you going?”

I don’t answer, walking along the stone path away from the celebration as fast as possible. Snippets of conversations reach my ears as I make my way to a dark corner where no one will see me.

“I heard her dress cost twenty K.”

“My little Tommy is heading to Harvard in the fall, can you believe it?”

“I feel so sorry for the older sister. Seeing her little brother get married first must be humiliating.”

Fucking assholes. I’d love to say something to shut them up. But it isn’t my place. And Mia doesn’t need me to defend her. She’s fully capable of taking care of herself.

I spot Mia before she sees me. There’s never been a moment when she’s entered a room and I haven’t been instantly aware of her.

As if she senses my stare, she lifts her head and our gazes collide. She gives me a look I recognize immediately. Anticipation, excitement, relief. It’s the same look I’ve seen on her face nearly every day when I greet her after work.

“Let’s get out of here,” she says as I approach.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

That's all I need to hear. I take her hand and lead her from the party, taking the quickest route possible to the hotel.

“Everything okay?”

A humorless laugh escapes her mouth. “I’m not sure.”

A stone settles in my gut, as I can only imagine she heard some of the mean-spirited gossip of the guests. “What happened?”

We step into the elevator, and Mia presses the button for our floor. “I’ve been thinking.”

I wait until the doors close, making sure we are alone before asking, “What about?”

She lifts her head, pinning me with her intense blue gaze. Energy crackles between us.

“I think I might be falling for you,” she says.

My heart takes off at a gallop. “That’s what you were thinking about during the ceremony?”

She nods. “I don’t know what to do about it.”

I hold back a laugh and match her serious tone. “Maybe I can help you figureit out.”

Her gaze drops over my face, lingering on my mouth. “I’d like that.”

Excitement races down my spine. “First, why don’t you list all the things you like about me?”

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