“I know.”
“That’s going to be my new goal.”
She drew away. “What?”
“Every year, I’m going to try to make your Christmas better than the last one. Though, this one is going to be hard to top. I should start planning now.”
Anger rose in her chest. This wasn’t fair of him. “Tristan you can’t talk about the future like that. You’re getting my hopes up.”
He stroked her cheek. “But I mean it. I don’t want to ever let you go. In fact, I’ve already booked a second ticket back to the Keys. I’m hoping you’ll come home with me for a while and get away from the drama you have to face in Iowa.”
Mia’s breath caught in her throat. He’d already bought a ticket? “But my job…”
“Didn’t they put you on leave? Just don’t go back. If you really want to work in a library, I can find you something near my home. Hell, we can start a library if you want.”
He talked about it like it would all be so easy. Like they could just start a life together.
“Oh, I don’t know. Tristan, I’m having a hard time believing all this. It feels so surreal.”
He planted a light kiss on her lips. “Okay. Can you trust that I’ll be here tomorrow?”
“Yes.” That much she could do. Tomorrow he would be here.
“Good. Then we’ll take this one day at a time.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tristan wanted to leave Mia’s sister in her bed and spend the night with her either on her couch or in his own bed, but he knew Mia wanted to take care of Vi.
Flying Vi out to visit was definitely one of his better ideas. But Mia was so dead set that everything would be over after the holiday that he needed to prove to her he was the real deal. The look of pure joy on her face when Vi surprised her was worth it. He wished he could bottle it so he could remind her of those feelings if she ever got down. He only wanted to make her happy, always.
He didn’t know what else to do, short of proposing to her. Though that thought had definitely crossed his mind. It was insane, of course. They’d only known each other a week, but it felt like a lifetime. The feelings he had for her were similar to those he had for Delilah, and he hadn’t thought it possible to feel them again.
But Mia made his heart sing.
Back in his room, David and Seth had gone missing, and Grayson was on the balcony watching the snow fall. He should talk to Grayson and find out his feelings about everything. He was still Tristan’s brother-in-law. Did he hurt when he saw Tristan with Mia?
The others were spread out on the couches cuddling and whispering. He should be among them with Mia. He grabbed one of her cookies and collapsed into the armchair. “Where’d they go?” he asked Jessica.
“To pick up girls at the bar. Seth was all bummed that Mia shut him down on Violet. She’s a riot, by the way.”
“She’s also married.”
“Yeah, well, tell that to Seth. So, Mia’s pretty awesome.”
“Yeah, she is. I’m trying to talk her into coming to stay with me when I go home.”
Jessica raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t it a little early for that?”
“I don’t want to let her go. I guess I could move to Iowa.”
Adam laughed. “Stalker.”
“Oh, come on, if Liz hadn’t been in Vegas, what would you have done?”
“Bought the house next door to her wherever that was.” Adam shrugged. “I see your point. What’s keeping her from saying yes?”
“Fear, I think. But she’s been put on leave at work. Her dad just remarried, and her sister lives several hours away. I’d think she’d want to start over.”
Jessica’s face wrinkled up. “Yeah, but if she does, and you get bored with her or whatever, then what would she do? I can see her hesitation.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Jess.” He elbowed her lightly.
“I’m playing devil’s advocate here. I’m thinking like Mia.”
She had a point. That was what always happened to Mia. She dated shitty men who crushed her.
“That’s not going to happen.”
“But she doesn’t know that.”
Tristan sighed. He didn’t know what he was going to do. He should probably start looking at apartments in Iowa. He sent a quick text to his assistant asking her to look into apartments after the holidays. It would take some time, but he’d show Mia she could trust him. And he’d just be stalkerish until then.
Seth and David barged through the door, laughing. They both had girls on their arms. Tristan met the gaze of the one attached to Seth. Tara. He’d slept with her his first night here, but that seemed like a lifetime ago now. She dropped her eyes.
“Dude, we’re gonna use your hot tub,” Seth said.
“Sure. Can I talk to you a minute first?”
Seth extracted himself from the pretty Tara, who turned her attentions to the other girl. He faced the other way so he didn’t make things awkward for her.
“Listen, I’m going to call it a night. You guys have fun here. Can I crash in your room?”
Seth nodded and handed Tristan his key.
“Thanks. Have fun.”
“Oh, I will. Don’t worry.” Seth grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.
Tristan fetched Sera from his room and followed her out. She walked slowly, her shoulder still bothering her. He passed Mia’s room and wanted to go in. He could crash on her couch, but he didn’t want to take any of her time away from her and her sister.
Three doors down, he slid the key into the door and pushed it open. He helped Sera onto the bed and fell in next to her. He missed Mia already. If he played his cards right, he wouldn’t be sleeping alone for long. He had every intention of making sure that she would be right there next to him. Since she was worried about him leaving her, he’d just have to show her he wasn’t going anywhere.
Sera snored lightly, and Tristan lay there for a long time, unable to sleep. He sat up and pulled out his phone. He scrolled through the pictures he’d taken of Mia so far. The small hairs around the crown of her head frizzed out and caught the light in one picture. She looked like an ethereal queen. He’d treat her as such.
She wasn’t like the girls he normally dated. It would take her a while before she’d be comfortable accompanying him to charity events, but he’d ease her into it. Delilah had been a natural, but that was because she came from money. She’d been used to putting on a show.
A message popped up.
Found you three suitable places. Link included.
He shook his head. That woman. She never took a second off. He should’ve thought before he sent her the message and waited until the 26th at least. He opened the attachment. Three apartments about twenty minutes from Mia’s home. They weren’t his place on the beach, but they would do, short term. Six months max. After that, he’d take Mia home to the Keys, and she’d never want to go back to boring Iowa.
He picked the place that looked the most dog friendly and sent his assistant a message back.
This one. Please have it furnished and everything. Also, book two first class tickets to Des Moines for the second. But seriously. It’s Christmas Day. Wait until tomorrow.
You know how my family is on holidays. The more work I do for you, the less time I have to put up with them. Consider it done. What about the flights to the Keys?
Keep them for now. Not sure which direction we’ll be heading for sure. If I can swing it, we won’t go to Iowa. Also, turn your phone off for New Year’s Eve at least. I don’t want to hear from you.
News Year’s Eve. Duh. Of course. Don’t expect me to answer on the first either. Enjoy the rest of your trip.
What was he going to do for six months in Iowa? If the school took her off leave, Mia would be at work during the day. Work. Yuck. Maybe he needed another project. He’d have to talk to Adam. He always had some new business venture up his sleeve. It would be something to at least keep him busy while Mia was at work.
He set the
phone down and thought of what their life would be like. He’d pick her up every day, and they’d either go out or cook together. They would watch movies or read and just enjoy each other’s company. Then, after dark, they’d really enjoy each other. It would be so nice to fall into a comfortable way of life with someone else again.
He drifted off to sleep, living out the best fantasy of his life.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Mia put Vi in an Uber just after three in the morning. Her sister was still a little drunk, and her cheeks were flushed. At least she’d be able to sleep it off on the plane.
“I can come with you,” Mia said.
“Don’t be silly. Go get some rest and then enjoy your day with your very hot, but sweet, boy toy.”
Mia blushed. “Don’t worry. I will.”
“Just be careful. I know I told you to have a fling, but I can already tell you’re falling. He’s not the committing type.”
“I know.” There was no point in arguing with Vi right now.
“I love you! Thank you for an amazing time. Tell Tristan he’s the best.”
“Love you too, and I’ll be sure to pass the message along. Want me to say anything to Seth?”
Vi swatted at her. “You know how shots affect me. I’m blaming you. But don’t say anything to Josh, please.”
Mia bit her tongue. Vi had sent a picture to Josh already, and Mia was sure Josh would have words with her. Ah well, they had a good time. It was Christmas. Josh couldn’t stay angry at her long.
“Be safe. Give the kids hugs from their Auntie Mia.”
“Will do. I’ll text you when I get to the airport and let you know I made it safe. See you in a week.”
And just like that, Vi was gone. Tristan had given her the best Christmas gift ever. She took the elevator upstairs. She thought about going over to Tristan’s—he’d left her a key after all—but she didn’t want to seem needy or anything.
She went to her room and collapsed in bed, more tired than she thought she should be.
She woke a few hours later and took a quick shower. It was Christmas morning, and she was going to make Tristan her famous Christmas waffles. She shoved all the ingredients into a bag and grabbed the key to his room.
She slipped in quietly, not wanting to wake him or Sera. She wanted this to be a surprise. She pulled out the flour and eggs and plugged in the waffle maker. Footsteps padded down the hall. Crap. So much for being a surprise. She waited for Tristan to turn the corner with full intentions of making him go back to bed.
But it wasn’t Tristan.
The woman stared at her for a second. The tall, leggy blonde was wearing the shirt Mia had picked out for Tristan for Christmas dinner, and nothing else. Mia studied the woman for a moment. She was the one she’d seen Tristan flirting with at the bar.
That bastard!
She ran back to her room, a wave of nausea overtaking her. After all of his talk of the future, he was no different than Jeremy or Steven or Drew. He couldn’t keep it in his pants. Not even for one night. She pounded her fists on her bed. She was so stupid for even thinking this would work.
This was ridiculous. She should’ve stayed home for Christmas. She threw all her clothes into her suitcase and zipped up her bag full of books. She did a quick check of the place and then hauled her stuff out and into the elevator. She’d catch the first plane back to Des Moines. Her heart ached. For all the talk she had given her sister about not falling, she’d totally fallen.
Tears were flowing by the time she stepped off the elevator and right into Frankie.
He gripped her shoulders. “Whoa, where are you going?”
“Home.”
“Why? What happened?”
“I had my sister here last night, right? Well, apparently Tristan can’t spend the night alone. He had another woman in his bed.”
Frankie’s mouth dropped. “That asshole. I thought he was better than that.”
Mia sniffed. “I can’t stay here.”
“Should I call you an Uber? Why don’t I book you a room in another resort?” Frankie patted her on the back.
“No. Don’t. I just want to go home.”
He looked past her and out the glass doors. “You know, the snow is blowing, and the roads are slick. It might not be safe.”
“I live in Iowa. I can drive in the snow.”
Mia gave Frankie a quick hug and stepped outside. The wind whipped at her face, snow pelting her, but it wasn’t anything she hadn’t managed before.
The drive to the airport took twice as long. She handed her keys back to the rental car agent and dragged her bags into the airport. Tristan was probably still in bed with that bitch. Oh, how she wanted to punch him in the face. Maybe she should’ve stuck around long enough to do so. She refused to feel sorry for herself. If she focused on anger, then that would drive her forward.
She searched the flights to see what airlines were going to Des Moines. Right before her eyes, all the flights suddenly changed from delayed to canceled. She made her way over to the airline counter.
“Why are all the flights canceled?”
The woman barely even glanced at her. She kept her eyes on a screen behind the counter. “The blizzard.”
“It’s just snowing.”
“No, sweetheart, it’s going to snow for three days. If I were you, I’d head home. You aren’t getting anywhere from here.”
Mia collapsed in a chair and texted Frankie.
Can you find me a cheap hotel for the next three nights?
Sure thing, sweetie, but it’s on us. I’ll tell management you found a mouse in your room and threatened to leave a bad review on Trip Advisor. I’ll book you the resort next door, so I can still come see you.
Thanks, Frankie. You’re the best.
Mia asked for the keys to her rental car and cautiously got back on the road. It was slow going, but she felt pretty confident. The snow was coming down hard though. Her tires slipped a couple of times, and she had visions of a man running out in front of her car. If she’d never hit Tristan, they probably never would’ve spent so much time together. Though maybe they still would’ve, somehow.
No. He would’ve been skiing all day, every day. Maybe if she’d never hit him, they would’ve had the fling she’d signed up for, instead of giving him her heart and having it crushed.
Out of nowhere, a massive truck flew by her. The wheel slipped out of her hand, and the tires slid. She grabbed the wheel but couldn’t regain control of the car. It skidded all over the road and right into a ditch.
She took a couple of deep breaths. Her heart beat fast, and her head pounded with the adrenaline, but she wasn’t hurt. White snow surrounded her. She put the car into reverse, but the tires just spun. She wasn’t getting out of this on her own. Dammit.
She called the emergency number on her rental car paperwork, and they forwarded her to a roadside emergency crew.
“Ma’am. It’s going to be three hours before we get out there. Maybe longer. Do you have enough fuel to keep you warm, or is there a place you can walk to?”
Mia looked around. She was on a mountain road, and there was nothing around. The tank was full though. It would probably last hours if she sat with the heat running.
“Yeah. I might see if a friend can come get me though.”
“Call us back if you get a ride, and we’ll bump you down the priority so those who really need help can get it.”
“Of course. And thank you.”
She hung up the phone. This was impossible. She didn’t know what she was going to do. For the first time, the anxiety didn’t start. She had resigned herself to the fact that this was her life. Men were scum, and she would be a perfectly happy spinster with her books and her dog, when she got one.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Tristan thought about stopping by Mia’s room before he showered but figured she was still asleep. They all had a late night.
He found Seth and Tara making out in the kitchen.
�
��Party’s over. Can you go back to your own room?” Tristan was miffed at him, but not really. Seth was his friend, and he was pleased Tara had moved on so easily.
Seth grinned. “Sure thing. Thanks for letting us stay.”
He grabbed Tara’s hand and dragged her out of the room. Kitchen supplies were flung out all over the counter. He chuckled. It looked like they got distracted before breakfast could be made.
Tristan dug out a sweater and a pair of jeans and hopped in the shower. Maybe he and Mia could have a romantic breakfast or something. He’d have to call Frankie and see what he could do. First though, he’d have someone come and clean up Seth’s mess. Both in the kitchen and the bedroom. Sheets and pillows were everywhere.
Tristan showered and left Sera on the couch. Normally, she’d want to go with him, but she wasn’t moving great yet. She whined at him.
“I’ll be right back, girl.”
He still had a key to Mia’s room, so he slipped in quietly, wanting to wake her gently. Maybe he lied to Sera. It was possible he wouldn’t be back to his room for a while. Mia wasn’t in her bed. Not only that, her suitcases were missing.
Did she go home with her sister? What the hell?
No. She would’ve told him. He checked his phone. Nothing.
Maybe there was something wrong with her room. Yeah. That had to be it. A leak or something. They just moved to her a different room, and she forgot to tell him. Icy fear gripped him, but he fought through it. He didn’t want to overreact and then look completely crazy.
He raced out of her room and punched the elevator button. She couldn’t be gone. Why would she leave? He was having a hard time convincing himself that she was still here.
He found Frankie at the concierge desk.
“Where’s Mia?” he asked sharper than necessary.
Frankie scowled at him. “None of your business.”
“Come on, Frankie, she’s not in her room, and all of her stuff is gone.”
“I know.” He continued to scowl. This was completely unlike Frankie. Tristan wracked his brain for what he might’ve done, but nothing came to mind. Maybe he forgot to tip Frankie.
Christmas and Commitment (Omega Mu Alpha Brothers Book 6) Page 14