Page 15 of Five Mistletoe Moments
Hours later, Mia obviously hadn’t done as good a job as she thought covering her feelings.
“We need to talk, Mia. I know something’s bothering you. You’ve been quiet ever since we left the sports club. Not even Pipi’s cheered you up.”
He was right. She’d left half her food on the plate and barely touched the guacamole. Both had been boxed and sat in the room’s refrigerator.
“Are you having regrets about earlier?”
“No.” The only regret she had was that it ended too fast. That quickie only whetted her appetite for him.
Dwight brought her hand to his lips. “Tell me what’s going on. I can sense you withdrawing from me. And don’t look so surprised. I told you we have a connection.”
Mia agreed. They did have one, and it was much deeper than she ever realized. Her flippant comment to Alana about being in love had taken on a whole new meaning. She observed the concern in his eyes. At every turn, he’d been honest and forthcoming about their relationship and what he wanted. It was time for her to do the same. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “There’s nothing wrong, Dwight. Everything is perfect. These past few days have been amazing and I’m not ready for it to end. We’re both going home tomorrow and I have no idea when we’ll see each other again.”
He gave her a soft smile. “I don’t want it to end, either. Your face is the last one I want to see every night when I close my eyes, and the first one in the mornings when I open my eyes. It doesn’t have to end. Come home with me. Spend Christmas with me and my family.”
Her heart rate kicked up. “What did you just say?”
He repeated it. “You can change your flight and fly home with me.”
“Wait. Time out. Hold up.” She held up a hand. “Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. There’s no way I’ll be able to get a seat on your flight at this late date.”Hold up, girl! Are you actually considering his offer?That annoying inner voice was back. And her answer was a resoundingyes.
Dwight smiled sheepishly. “Actually, there are. I checked earlier.”
Mia narrowed her gaze. “Were you plotting some way to get me on your flight?”
“More like hoping and praying you would. Neither one of us is ready to be away from each other and this is a perfect solution.”
“And if I say yes?”
“Then we change the flight.”
She stood and paced the living room. Could she do this? What would Alana say? What would Dwight’s family say? The bar was closed for the next few days, so she wouldn’t miss work.Damn, just tell the man yes! You said you wanted to be with him.Mia really wished the voice in her head would shut the hell up, regardless of whether it was right or not. “Okay.”
He let out a loud whoop, swung her up in his arms and kissed her soundly. Placing her back on her feet, he whipped out his phone to call the airline.
Mia smiled and shook her head, confident that she’d made the right decision.
Chapter 6
Dwight settled into his seat on the plane and glanced over at the woman sitting next to him. To say he was surprised that she’d agreed to change her flight would be an understatement. As he’d told her, he had hoped and prayed and sent up a silent thank you. He texted Dwayne to tell him and to ask if he and Valencia could pick up a couple of warmer outfits and a coat for Mia. The Southern California weather was at least fifteen degrees warmer than its northern counterpart. “Comfortable?” he asked Mia.
Mia gave him a bright smile. “You’d better believe it. I’ve never flown first class, so I’m more than comfortable.” She did a little shimmy in her seat. “You’ve spoiled me and I’m never going to want to fly in those cramped seats in coach again.”
He planned to spoil her for the rest of her life. “Did you text your friend to let her know about the change?”
“Oh, shoot. I forgot.” She pulled out her phone and sent the text. A minute later, her phone rang. “Hey, Alana. No, I’m not crazy.” She mouthed to Dwight, “Here we go.” Rolling her eyes, she went back to the conversation. “You absolutely donotneed to come up to Sacramento to pick me up. You do realize this is an international call and it’s expensive. We’ll talk when I get back. Uh huh, I know. The plane is getting ready to leave. Bye, girl.”
Once they were airborne a short time later, Mia still had a pensive look and he wondered whether she regretted making the change. “I take it your friend is worried about you.”
“Or something.” She bit down on her lip and stared out the window.
“Are you having second thoughts?” Dwight wanted her with him, but he wouldn’t do anything to make her uncomfortable. Even if that meant putting her on a plane to LA later tonight.
Mia faced him. “No. Not one. Alana has always been a skeptic when it comes to love and I’m the opposite, a diehard romantic. I want to be with you.”
He released the breath he didn’t know he was holding.
“But I can’t wait until the one guy who’ll knock her off her cynical mountain and sweep her off her feet comes along. Mark my words, he’s coming,” she added with a little giggle.
