Page 88 of Pucking Tangled
There was no way she’d be able to sleep tonight.
Because Waylon Ryan had just rewritten all of the rules.
And when morning came, and she had to face him again? Mia wasn’t sure that she would be able to not give in.
Maybe it was time for her to call a house meeting of her own.
When the sun came up,she had come to a decision.
They need to talk.
All of them—together.
No more putting it off.
No more pretending. Walking on eggshells. Or trying to set off a power keg.
She dressed quickly and snuck out before anyone else woke up.
There was a tiny bakery just down the road that made the best muffins and bagels in town. It would save everyone from having to cook, while acting as a tiny peace offering of sorts. Something comforting to ease into the emotions they needed to discuss.
When she got back to the house, she put on a pot of coffee and pulled up the group chat with her men.
Mia: Dearest Roommates, Your presence is required at the mandatory Roommate Round-Up taking place in the kitchen. ASAP. Pastries and coffee will be provided.
She hit send and waited, helping herself to the first cup of coffee and a still-warm chocolate chip muffin.
Waylon: Is there a dress code for this round-up?
Of course, he would be the one to ask that.
Mia: Clothes are required. Do not antagonize everyone.
Waylon: Damn. I knew I should have done laundry sooner.
Mia smiled to herself. At least he was acting normal this morning.
No one else responded, but the house slowly began to come to life. She could hear them shuffling around upstairs and eventually, the sound of their footsteps coming down the stairs.
After everyone had their coffee and settled in theirspots around the kitchen, Mia spoke. “This isn’t easy for me. None of this is. I didn’t plan to move into this house and fall for any of you. Let aloneallof you.”
She took a sip of her coffee and swallowed to buy herself time to formulate her thoughts. “But here we are. It happened, and I’ve tried my best to handle it with tender care. I’ve tried to respect you. Give you space when you needed it and show up for each of you in the ways I thought you wanted. No, the way youneededme to.”
Luca started to speak, but she held up her hand.
“Please, let me finish. It’s important that you all hear what I have to say.”
He nodded and picked at his poppyseed muffin.
“Luca, from the very beginning, you’ve been my silent ally. I let you in. And in return you made me feel safe. Wanted. Loved, even before I was ready for that word.”
She turned her attention to her best friend. “Casey. I don’t know how to do life without you. And I hope I never have to figure it out. What’s between us now? It’s intense. All consuming. It’s a burning flame that I can’t ignore. You’ve always seen me in ways I don’t see myself, and the truth is, I wouldn’t be who I am today without your unwavering support.”
“Owen.” She looked at the man leaning against the wall, the very picture of Zen. “You’re an anchor. You give me room to breathe, to figure things out, without ever making me feel like I’m running out of time. You never pushed. But I still feel you, always. Solid and steady.”
He smiled at her and nodded, seemingly accepting her words and the sincerity behind them.
“And you.” Mia winked at Waylon who was still standing by the coffee maker, clinging to his mug like his life depended on it. “You surprised me the most. You treateverything like a game, but last night you showed me that this wasn’t to you. It was real. And refreshing. You just let me be. Without expectation. And you made me laugh when I was so far inside my own head that I couldn’t see the way out.”
