by C. J. Harte
“You’re right. This is your home. I thought I was an invited guest, obviously not yours.” Mia stood erect, refusing to look away.
“You’re my guest.” Jeremy was next to her.
“You certainly have…” Teri paused, looking for the right word, “changed.”
“I hope so. I would be boring if I hadn’t.” Mia returned her stare.
Teri leaned forward. Her face was inches away from Mia. “Change just for change isn’t always good. Change for a purpose, for a business improvement, can be worthwhile.”
Mia shook her head. “You haven’t changed much.”
“What does that mean?” Teri’s voice was no longer calm. She struggled to suppress the first rush of anger.
“You still have an answer for everything. Right or wrong doesn’t matter.”
Teri stepped back and glared at Mia. She wondered if Mia was intentionally baiting her. “You’ve grown up. Physically. Your behavior hasn’t changed.” She turned and quickly walked up to the back of the house. She had too much to do today to deal with this now. Why the hell did she have to show up now? And how will I get rid of her this time?
She quickly pushed the thought down to the bottom of her list. She had more important concerns. And they were all related to her current business venture. Maybe I can just send her to a hotel in the city. A suite at the Ritz. That may impress her.
“Jeremy, our parents will be arriving shortly. The Miltons are coming for dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Milton and their daughter, Pamela. I want this evening perfect. Don’t know why they’re in New York, but we need to find out. Understand?”
Teri didn’t wait for an answer. She walked quickly to the back of the house.
CHAPTER THREE
“And you haven’t changed,” Mia whispered. Still ordering people around. Don’t give a damn about anyone but yourself.
“I’m sorry, Mia,” Jeremy said.
She gently touched his arm. “No, I’m the one who should apologize. I’ve had more than one girlfriend tell me I use my sarcasm to push people away. It’s true. I need to stop that.” Mia couldn’t believe how easily she turned on Teri.
Mia had put Teri up on a pedestal, and when that pedestal blew apart, Mia was devastated. Now she was focusing all the years of pent up anger and frustration at the source. “I know it’s ridiculous to let something that happened when I was a teenager ruin relationships, but every time someone got close, I kept waiting for some bad thing to happen. If it didn’t, then I created the problem. I wonder what would’ve happened if Nat hadn’t died?” She wrapped her arms tightly around herself. “This has got to stop.”
“I think you two would still be together. She was strong and madly in love with you.”
“Maybe.” It’s time. Teri Stanton has to go. “I can catch up with you later.”
*
There would be no way to avoid Teri now. Mia lay on the bed and considered her options. If she weren’t so damned tired she would have just packed up her car and left. She had a hotel room in New York City. It might still be the best, and safest, choice. Her quest for a quiet, simple visit had become complicated.
If she didn’t need Brenna and Jeremy’s help right now, she would be gone. She felt the tears come unbidden. She didn’t belong here. This wasn’t her world.
*
Mia jumped out of the car just as her father was pulling to a stop. “Mia Daniels! Stop where you are and wait.” Her father’s voice brooked no nonsense. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her pants. Jeremy was waiting for her, and somewhere out there was Teri. Teri. Beautiful, sophisticated Teri. Some day she will walk up to me and ask me to dance. Mia’s eyes were closed. She began to sway. She could feel Teri’s arms around her.
“Earth to Mia.” Her brother hissed at her. “Dreaming of kissing Teri again?” He made kissing noises and danced around her.
“Shut up.”
“You two behave tonight. And stay together.” Her mother’s frequent reminders only made her more determined to get away from her brother. As soon as she could, she slipped away. Unlike her brother, she had few friends.
Mia had trouble finding her friends in the large crowd. The Stanton’s Fourth of July barbecue was one of the few affairs that included all the children of many of the executives. Her family’s house was half a mile down the road. Her parents often brought her to most of these events knowing that, when she tired, she could walk home. Mia rarely left. She was too enchanted by the Stanton’s oldest. Teri was everything she wasn’t: beautiful, graceful, elegant, outgoing. And she always had some beautiful female on her arm. If only it could be me! One day I will be all dressed up and she will ask me to dance. She will put her arms around me and we will….
“Hey, lezzie, looking for some of this?” One of her male classmates grabbed his crotch and reached for her.
Mia pushed him away and walked quickly into the crowd. She had been caught by a female classmate drawing hearts with her name and Teri’s inside. Within an hour, word had spread throughout the school. She was tormented mercilessly after that. She quickly learned all the names. Dyke, butch, cunt, lesbian, lezzie, muff diver. The words were all foreign to Mia. And hurtful. She didn’t even know if she was gay. At fifteen, all she knew was that she was madly in love with one person. Teri Stanton. Someone who didn’t know she existed. Maybe someday, when I’m older.
She walked faster. Her detractors struggling to keep up. A hand reached out and grabbed her.
*
A knock on the door brought her back to the present. “Come in.” She sat up and wiped the tears. Well, I’m older and noticed. She could at least pretend to put on a good face.
Jeremy came in and sat on the bed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know anything about this. If you can survive this evening, then, in the morning, we can both run away. Brenna is on her way back from Brazil. I’ll ask her to meet us in Maine at our family place there.”
“Jeremy, you’re a good man. That’s unnecessary.”
“Listen, I’d rather be in Maine. The weather will be much nicer and we can have the place to ourselves. It’s my favorite place to hide from my family.”
“Don’t they know that you go there?”
“Of course. Still, I’m usually the only one who goes there, and I go up as often as I can. They think of it as the hinterlands. Bren has a condo in South Beach she uses when she wants to run away.”
“What does your family say when the two of you disappear?”
“You don’t want to know. What do you say?”
Jeremy was a loyal and caring friend, almost from the moment they met. As teens, they had been nearly inseparable. They studied together, took piano together, and their mutual interests meant they spent much of their free time together. And they included Bren in as many things as they could. Mia always felt welcomed around the two of them.
“Your family apparently has made plans for you for the entire weekend. I can go back to the city, then you can catch up with me when you get free.”
“Mia, I made plans with you. My sister and parents are perfectly able to entertain their business friends. I’m just an accessory. Besides, I told Bren I’d take care of you until she got back. I know how important this visit is.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “You’re a dear, dear friend. Your family would be unforgiving with you disappearing. Besides, these are dress-up affairs, and I didn’t even bring anything to wear for a formal dinner, much less any parties.” She sat up. “I’m going to go.”
“Then I’m going with you,” Jeremy said.
“Going where?” Teri asked. She leaned against the door, looked around, and then stepped inside. “The door was open. Hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”
There was something disingenuous about Teri’s last statement. Mia had no doubt that interrupting was exactly Teri’s objective. “We’re just talking. How are you, Teri?”
“Fine. You?”
Mia almost smiled. Teri appeared thrown off. “Do you need somethi
ng?”
“I wanted to remind Jeremy of his responsibilities. Entertain Pamela Milton. See what she says. I want to make sure they were forthcoming when we were doing due diligence.”
“Yes, boss.” Mia saw the muscles in his jaw tense. Jeremy’s heart was not in Stanton Enterprises.
“Jeremy, I want this deal closed by the end of our fourth quarter. Use your Stanton charm. Pick her brains.”
“Teri, you’ve known I was taking this time off for over two months. I’m not changing my plans.”
“And you know how important this deal is to the family.” She stared at Mia. “I’m sure Mia understands business comes first.”
Mia refused to be pulled into this argument. If it were anyone other than Teri Stanton, she would easily and graciously offer to reschedule. In this case, she crossed her arms over her chest and silently stared back.
“Teri, no.”
“This is non-negotiable. Milton Senior will be sitting between me and Father. Be prompt. We’re having dinner at eight.” Teri stopped. She looked from Jeremy to Mia and back. Her eyebrow shot up, and a strange expression spread across her face. Mia didn’t think it boded anything good.
Teri turned back to Mia. “Are you joining us for dinner?”
Mia was nonplussed. The invitation was out of character and unexpected. Mia was suddenly vigilant. “No, I don’t think so. I’m tired and I didn’t bring anything to wear. Besides, I plan on driving back to New York shortly. Thank you, though.”
“I can arrange to have someone bring some things out for you to look at if you want.”
“Why?” Mia shook her head wondering what Teri was up to.
“You’re still as blunt as usual, I see.”
“And, as usual, you didn’t answer my question.”
One corner of Teri’s mouth turned up. It was almost a smile. “You’ve gotten bolder. You wouldn’t have questioned me once upon a time.”
“I’m not afraid of you anymore, and once upon a time, you wouldn’t have dared invite me.”
Teri stood at the door. She appeared lost in thought, as if she was reappraising the situation. Mia wondered what Teri was thinking but was unable to discern any hint from the flat affect.
Finally, Mia broke the silence. “That’s a nice offer. I’ve been up almost twenty-four hours. I’ll pass.”
“Join us for dinner. As my guest.”
Mia stared, unsure she had heard correctly. “Why?”
“Why not?”
Another question and no answer. Mia remembered her vow to work on being pleasant. “Are you sure my presence is acceptable?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Well, I don’t own any companies so there isn’t a business reason for you to invite me. I certainly don’t have any money to invest. I come from a working class background and didn’t get my undergraduate degree from Harvard. I have to wonder why Teri Stanton would invite me!”
“Are you always this difficult? Is it that hard to believe that I’d invite you for dinner?”
“Yes. And you didn’t invite me. You commanded me.”
Teri clenched her jaw and glared. She finally forced a smile, but it didn’t move higher than her lips. “Ms. Daniels, would you join us for dinner? It would make Jeremy happy, and we have inconvenienced your plans. Now, I’m fairly sure that is an invitation.”
Mia wanted to laugh. She could tell it was taking every ounce of Teri’s reserve to make that offer.
Teri’s request was as unwelcome as the manner in which it was offered. What was the point of asking me to stay? Is she trying to figure out another way to humiliate me? Mia didn’t trust the invitation, but she was determined to be pleasant even if it killed her. And it just might. “Thank you, Ms. Stanton. That is a generous invitation.” She tilted her head to one side and placed her hand on a hip. It was definitely a challenge being thrown out. “Unfortunately, I don’t have anything appropriate to wear. So I’m going to have to politely decline.”
“If you can meet me in the study in thirty minutes, I’ll have the dressmaker there.” Her cell phone ringing drew her attention. Picking up her cell, Teri turned and quickly walked out without even a backward glance.
“What was that all about?” Jeremy asked.
“I have no idea.” She stared at the empty doorway. “Did she just ask me to join her for dinner? Or am I hallucinating?”
“Trust me. I’m as surprised as you are.”
“Maybe she wants me to see how well the Miltons’ daughter fits in and I don’t.”
“She’s not that bad, Mia. Milton owns a high-tech company that my father and Teri are considering taking over. This is all about business.”
“So are you supposed to be the pimp and woo the young daughter to convince the father this is an ideal match?”
Jeremy stood and glared. “I’ll ignore that only because you’re my friend and I know you’re tired.”
“From what you’ve told me, you’ve never been happy working in the family business.”
“It’s complicated. At least right now I’m spending more time on the West Coast and Elaine is there. I wouldn’t mind running the business out there.”
“Then do it. Time is short.”
Jeremy sat closer. “How are your mother and father really?”
“She’s a trouper. Trying to keep us all cheered. I think the heart attack scared her as much as it did us.” Mia became serious. She had to swallow to keep the emotions down. “My parents are spending the summer traveling. They don’t want to waste time. And they’re enjoying the time with Michel. It’s put a strain on my dad, however. He’s losing weight.” Tears threatened, but she brushed them away before they could fall. “My brother and I are trying to find a way to get them back here so….” She choked.
“I’m sorry I didn’t fly over.”
“Don’t, Jer. You were there when Natalie died. My parents are grateful for your thoughtfulness in arranging an accessible place for them to live. Now they’re having a wonderful summer.” Mia leaned her head against his shoulder. She just wanted to go to sleep and wake up someplace else. “I definitely have jet lag. Maybe the real reason Teri invited me is to see if I fall asleep during the soup and drown.”
“There are times when she’s quite reasonable.”
“I bet it’s when she’s asleep.” She looked at her watch. “We better get over to the manse and see what the mistress wants.”
“One of the things I love about you is that your tongue’s as sharp as your mind, but you don’t use it to hurt.”
“That isn’t always true. I’m working hard to be a better person. One not afraid to let someone get close. One deserving of the kind of love Natalie offered. And I want to be a good mother and role model.”
“You will be. You have no idea how much I admire you and want to be strong like you.”
“Stop.” She grabbed his arm. “Come on. Let’s go.” The short walk across the lawn was pleasant, and she was enjoying Jeremy’s company. When she reached the door, one of the staff grabbed her and insisted that Ms. Stanton was waiting in the library with the dressmaker. Mia sighed. As soon as dinner was over, she’d excuse herself and get some sleep. She just needed to survive—she looked at her watch—oh, shit, another nine hours.
CHAPTER FOUR
Teri stared out the open French doors, totally unaware of what, if anything, she was looking at. She finished off her Scotch and placed the empty glass on the coffee table. She knew she should be meeting the Miltons. It would only be minutes before someone came looking for her.
Mia Daniels had disrupted her equanimity. She was distracting, impudent, challenging. And lovely. It was almost like she was seeing her for the first time. Everything about Mia breathed life. She chatted easily with the dressmaker, and the two carried on conversations about clothing and dresses for almost twenty minutes while she just stood and watched. She was so at ease in her own body that Teri could barely take her eyes off Mia. Had Mia been a stranger in a lesbian bar, Ter
i would have wanted to take her to bed. It had been years since she had felt that strong an urge.
She wasn’t a stranger, however. She was her brother’s guest. Still, Teri was well aware that her own behavior was inappropriate. She was in the middle of a major acquisition, and nothing should distract her from business. No matter how she tried to rein it in, Teri had trouble controlling her thoughts. Worse, there was no way for her to control the physical reactions she was having. She had even bought a dress for that damn woman.
Teri had been on the cell phone while Mia was trying on dresses. When she saw Mia in the ice-blue evening dress, Teri forgot to whom she was talking. She hung up in the middle of the conversation. The only thing on her mind was Mia. The dress fit Mia’s curves perfectly. The back was cut in a vee that dipped almost to her waist. Thin straps showed off gorgeous shoulders and arms. Teri was mesmerized. She ached with longing.
Teri insisted that Mia have the dress. She didn’t want anyone else to wear it.
Mia protested, saying she had plenty of dresses and couldn’t afford this one. Teri was adamant. Mia continued to argue.
“I’m going to pay for the damn dress.” She couldn’t believe Mia wasn’t more grateful. “I invited you and I want you to have it. I’ll make sure it’s in your room in an hour. As soon as the alterations are done. So don’t worry about it.”
“That’s very generous. I cannot accept such an expensive gift.”
“It’s nothing compared to the inconvenience we’ve caused. I insist.”
“I insist that you not pay for it, and I cannot afford it.”
Teri felt the anger surging through her. How dare she refuse the offer? “It’s my money and I can spend it however I want. I want you to have that dress.”
Mia just stomped out.
“What the hell is the matter with her?”
As angry as she was with Mia, Teri was even angrier with herself. She was surprised by her own erratic behavior and singular lack of control. In a relatively short time, she had been rude to Mia, invited her to dinner, and then bought a damn dress for her. This aberrant behavior would stop. She had more important business—the merger.