Mia's Heart (The Paradise Diaries)

by Courtney Cole

  It’s my turn to suck in my breath. And then I kiss him again.

  And again.

  And again.

  And then one more time for good measure.

  “We’re going to live happily ever after,” I tell him.

  Quinn stares at me. “Oh, we will, will we? I thought happily ever after was just a fairy tale thing?”

  I sniff. “Shows how much you know. Besides, we live in paradise, Quinn. Obviously, we live in a real life fairy tale.”

  “Hmm,” he answers. “I didn’t realize that fairy tales had police stations and handcuffs and black eyes. But I’ll take your word for it.”

  He grabs my hand and we continue walking.

  “Quinn, my dad will talk to Stefan. And we’ll get this sorted out.”

  Quinn glances at me. “Thank you, Mia. For believing in me so strongly that you went to bat with your father. I know that was hard for you.”

  I shrug. “It turned out to be pretty painless. So, don’t mention it. Until such time that I need to call in a favor and then I’ll mention it.”

  Quinn laughs. “Hmm. Okay. The next time I have to save your topless ass from paparazzi, you can mention it.”

  I laugh and feel warm, fluttery feelings.

  We walk and chat for quite a while longer. Quinn picks me flowers and I carry them. We stop periodically and kiss. And then kiss more. I love the dimple that he gets when he smiles. And I love his lop-sided grin. And the way he always tastes like mint. I tell him these things and he shakes his head, making me realize that I also love it when he shakes his head. So I tell him that, too.

  He says that he thinks that my head injury might have done more damage than we originally thought.

  So I smack him on the arm.

  Then kiss him so more.

  After an hour or so, Dante and Reece come out and find us and we sit and have lemonade on the veranda. Reece watches the way I hang onto Quinn’s arm with a knowing smile. But she doesn’t say anything. And no one has been able to reach Gavin yet. But we put it out of our minds.

  It has to work out.

  It has to.

  Reece and I go change our clothes into sundresses. Mine is hot pink, my new signature color. I wear strappy sandals and pink lip gloss. I’ve decided that I enjoy being a girly girl. Sort of.

  I also blame this on my brain injury.

  Dante and Reece have to leave for the christening early, so Quinn and I ride together in Darius’ truck. I slide over and sit in the middle.

  Our ride is silent, but he reaches over and grabs my hand, holding it on his leg. It feels so good to be here with him. I lay my head on his shoulder and close my eyes.

  We have to fix this.

  We so have to fix this.

  When we arrive at the pier, there is a small crowd already formed. The crowd quickly gets bigger. The Caberrans see this christening as a sign of re-birth. After the assassination attempt last year and the earthquake, it is a step forward. A symbol. It says, We can move on no matter what obstacles we face. It causes a lump to form in my throat.

  We are allowed to board the boat because we have a personal invitation from Dimitri. So, we stand behind him with Dante and Reece as Dimitri speaks.

  He speaks of hope and grace, of strength and patriotism. He speaks of enthusiasm and hard work and faith and love. My throat constricts more with each word that he speaks. Quinn squeezes my hand. I lean into his side.

  Finally, the champagne bottle is broken on the side of the beautiful new yacht and the ceremony is over.

  Quinn and I take a tour of The Sunflower and I am astounded at the beauty of it. It’s gorgeous and bright and modern. There are bedrooms and a galley and sitting rooms. There is a wrap-around balcony with a railing and there are reading nooks. There is a hot tub, even. It’s a gorgeous boat. But the one thing we don’t find on our tour, is Gavin.

  Or Stefan.

  And that makes me feel nauseas.

  How can I plead Quinn’s case if I can’t find them?

  I console myself with crab cakes and a glass of champagne. Quinn has a glass too and reminds me that the drinking age in America is twenty-one. He can’t get over that it is legal here for us.

  I am not as enthralled with that because this is normal for me.

  We make our way to a sitting area on the stern of The Sunflower. Surprisingly, there is no one out here and we are alone. I perch on the cushioned edge of the seat and stare out at the rippling turquoise water.

  Quinn pulls me into his lap. And he nuzzles my neck and kisses me until I’m breathless. Goosebumps form wherever his lips touch and I shiver from the sheer pleasure of it.

  “You’re so strong,” I tell him as I run my fingers lightly across his chest.

  He smiles. “And you’re so small.”

  I smile. “True.”

  “I feel like you might fit in my pocket,” he says conversationally. He pulls me more tightly against him. “Mia, even if I have to go home, we can make it work. Look at Dante and Reece. They managed it, until Dante went to America.”

  I sigh.

  “But they were miserable,” I tell him. “That’s why Dante went to America. And they’ve been together ever since.”

  “I know,” he says quietly. “But we’ll figure it out. Look how much we’ve overcome already. You had a brain injury for god’s sake. And here we are now- you’re sitting on my lap and you’re in love with me.”

  “I’m falling in love with you,” I remind him laughingly. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Awesome One.”

  He laughs. “Heaven forbid,” he answers. “Let me know when you’re there, okay? That might be a good thing for me to know.”

  I laugh, but before I can answer, before I can tell that I do, in fact, love him right now, Reece pops her head out.

  “There you are!” She walks out onto the deck. “I’ve been hunting for you everywhere. Gavin’s here. He arrived an hour ago. You should go talk to him, Mia. He might listen to you.”

  I’m already up and on my way.

  Quinn stays with Reece, because that’s the smart thing to do. But I weave through the crowded rooms. And I don’t see him.

  I walk all around the yacht on the deck and don’t see him.

  I search through the galleys and the reading nooks.

  I don’t see him.

  And then I head to the upper deck.

  After walking around the deck walkway, I head down a middle hall. And I hear him laugh. There is no one up here because this is where the bedrooms are.

  But I hear him laugh again.

  He’s definitely here.

  I follow the sound.

  Right to a bedroom door.

  What the hell?

  I push the door open and am shocked beyond belief.

  It’s Gavin alright. And he’s naked. And he’s not alone.

  Gavin and Elena are in bed.

  Together.

  What.

  The.

  Hell.

  “Mia!” Gavin exclaims. He yanks the bedcovers up over Elena’s naked body and I am frozen in the doorway. I can’t believe my eyes. A week ago, I would have been devastated because I thought I was falling in love with Gavin.

  Thank god I have my memories back and know otherwise.

  Because this would have crushed my heart.

  “What’s going on?” I murmur. I can’t tear my eyes away from Gavin’s. His are troubled. He didn’t want me to see this. That much is apparent.

  “What’s it look like, Mia? God!” Elena snaps.

  And we’re clearly back to normal now. Ice Bitch is back to being bitchy. Only now, I’ve got the upper-hand. I realize that in a rush. They won’t want anyone to know about this, so they’re at a huge disadvantage. I hate to play hardball with Gavin but the fate of my happiness hangs in the balance.

  “Gavin, seriously! Here? On Dimitri’s new boat? What the hell do you think he’d say if he knew?” I snap. Gavin looks a bit dismayed.

  As he should.

>   “He won’t find out,” Gavin says slowly. “And Dante won’t either. Will he, Mia?”

  He looks at me pointedly.

  My heart clenches a little. I do love Gavin, even if it is only like a brother or a best friend. I look at Elena.

  “Get dressed and get out. I need to talk to Gavin.”

  She practically snarls at me, but she does pull her clothes on. She flounces past me in a huff. “I’d better not hear people talking about this, Mia. Or there will be hell to pay!”

  I don’t even bother to answer her. I wait until she’s gone and then I close the door. And then I sit next to Gavin.

  “Gav, seriously. What are you doing?”

  He sighs.

  “I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing, apparently. She was rubbing herself on me like she always does and I felt rejected by you and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Obviously, it wasn’t. Please tell me you aren’t going to tell anyone, Mi.”

  I reach up and touch his face. His eye is still swollen and black from where Quinn punched him.

  “I’m sorry all of this happened,” I tell him softly. “I’m sorry that you and Quinn fought. I’m sorry that I drove you to that. I’m sorry that I didn’t know what I wanted- and that I led you on, I guess. I didn’t mean to, but I did. And I hate that I hurt you, Gav. I love you like a brother- like a best friend. Because you are my best friend, and I’m so worried that I’ve lost you.”

  I’m crying now. All of a sudden. The tears just start streaking down my face and I wipe at them.

  Gavin pulls me to him. He smells like sex, but I ignore that part. I focus instead on the comforting way that he’s patting my back.

  “Mia, don’t cry,” he whispers into my hair. “I love you too. And you know what? It’s okay. You and I weren’t meant to be. We weren’t. If we were, we would have realized it a long time ago. You’re my best friend, too. And I’m sorry about everything.”

  I pull away and look at him.

  “So, we’re good?”

  He nods.

  “We’ll always be good.”

  I exhale slowly. Knowing that I haven’t lost him is the biggest sense of relief I’ve ever felt. But then I remember why I’m here.

  I stare into his eyes.

  “Gav, you’ve got to talk to your dad. It’s not right that he’s pressing charges against Quinn. Quinn was only protecting himself and you know it.”

  Gavin looks uncomfortable and fidgets a bit.

  “I can’t control my dad,” he finally says. “You know that. You know how he is.”

  I nod.

  “I do. But in this instance, you’ve got to. It’s not fair to send Quinn back to America now. Not for something that wasn’t his fault. You were mad at me, at the situation and you took it out on Quinn. He shouldn’t have to pay the price for that.”

  Gavin is still hesitating, so I have to use my leverage. The leverage that I don’t want to use.

  “Gav, if you make your father drop the charges, I will never breathe a word of what I saw here today. Ever. Not to anyone. Not to Reece, not to Dante, not to Dante’s father.”

  Gavin stares at me, his gaze a bit cool.

  “And if I don’t?”

  I shrug. “Let’s not worry about that, okay? Because I know you’ll do the right thing and make your father drop this.”

  The moment is charged. Gavin’s eyes are pissed. I can see that. But he has to know that I’m right. And the fact that I even had to use this situation as leverage make me angry too.

  “Gavin, this is ridiculous. You’re a better person than this. You know what the right thing to do is. You’re a good person—just do the right thing.”

  We’re having a stare-down. His dark gaze meets mine. And holds.

  And holds.

  And holds until I grow fidgety and uncomfortable.

  And then finally he sighs.

  “Fine. You’re right. I was pissed because things didn’t turn out the way I’d hoped. I’ll talk to my father tonight. We’ll get it straightened out. You’re right. Quinn doesn’t deserve this.”

  A rush of relief floods through me.

  “Thank you,” I murmur. I reach over and grab his hand. “Thank you. I appreciate this so much.”

  He nods. “I know. And it’s the right thing to do. I’m sorry that he was arrested in the first place. My dad was angry and I couldn’t talk him out of it.”

  “I know,” I tell him. “That’s exactly what we thought happened.”

  Gavin gets dressed and we find Dante, Reece and Quinn. Before anyone can say anything, Gavin steps forward and holds his hand out to Quinn.

  Quinn shakes it without hesitation.

  “I’m sorry,” Gavin tells him. “I shouldn’t have punched you. Or shoved you. It wasn’t your fault that the situation frustrated me. I hope you can forgive me. I’m going to talk to my dad tonight and convince him to drop the charges.”

  Quinn nods and accepts his apology. And then we all sit and chat for another hour. It’s so surreal that I can’t even believe that it’s happening.

  But it is.

  And we actually have fun, all curled up on the stern of The Sunflower, sipping at champagne and eating appetizers. We laugh, we joke, and things almost seem normal. I don’t say a word about finding Gavin with Elena and I don’t see her again all evening. Gavin doesn’t even seem to notice her absence.

  Later in the night, after we go back to Giliberti House, Gavin calls and tells me that his father agreed to let the whole thing go.

  I exhale a long sigh of relief and I feel like the weight of the world has slipped from my shoulders. I didn’t even realize how uptight I was about it until this moment. And in this moment, I feel like I could fly.

  So I fly down the hall and tell Quinn the good news.

  It is morning before I creep quietly back to my own room.

  Apparently, New Mia’s boyfriend is sexy as hell and has mad-bedroom-skills.

  I smile as I close my bedroom door softly behind me. My knees are still weak, but I don’t meow at myself this time. Anyone’s knees would be weak after the night that I had.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Two Months Later

  Reece and I are meowing at Quinn.

  This is not unusual. Every chance we get, we do it. It’s hilarious. Or we’re just easily entertained. One or the other.

  This time, it is because Quinn is refusing to wear a speedo in the normal European fashion. He insists on sticking to swim trunks. Although the point of him wearing a suit at all is sort of moot. He still can’t swim.

  We’re at the beach today. Dante and Reece stayed in Caberra and school finally resumed after construction was complete, but we’re out for Christmas break now. It’s been a hectic and stressful past couple of months.

  We’ve worked our tails off, volunteering on different clean-up committees, to get Valese back to the beautiful, pristine city that it should be. And we’ve succeeded. You almost can’t tell that an earthquake ever hit.

  Sadly, the construction on my own home is almost finished and I’ll be moving back home within the month. I say sadly because I love being out at Giliberti House with Quinn, Dante and Reece. But I’ll just have to make the drive to visit them after I move.

  Every day.

  Maybe even twice a day.

  “Quinn, just grow a pair and wear the speedo,” Gavin shouts from down the beach. He and Quinn have patched up their differences in the way that only boys can and even consider each other a friend again. It will never cease to amaze me how boys can get mad, get in a physical fight and then get over it. The male species is truly weird.

  Gavin shouts again, louder this time for effect. “Just grow a set!”

  Quinn runs him down, then tackles him to the ground and they roll in the sand for a bit. Somehow, and I don’t exactly know how, Gavin’s speedos end up floating on the waves of the sea.

  Reece and I look at each other and laugh before we resume looking at our magazines from th
e safety of our beach chairs. The boys rough-house for a while longer and then Dante joins them to throw a Frisbee around.

  As I look around, at my laughing friends, at the beautiful sea, at my BFF next to me, I can’t believe how lucky I am. Life really does seem like a fairy tale.

  But even fairy tales come to an end. I swallow hard as I remember that sad fact. We’re all looking at colleges now though and I know that our happy little group will split apart next year. Gavin and I are looking at Cambridge, while Dante and Reece are looking at colleges in the States. Quinn hasn’t decided yet what he’d like to do. I’m hoping that he will come with me, though.

  Yes, that is selfish.

  But honestly, Cambridge? It’s not exactly like it’s a hardship.

  And even though some things end, endings are just doors closing so that new doors can open, right?

  I watch Quinn now, his muscles flexing and moving as he dives to catch the Frisbee. He holds it up, showing the others that he did, in fact, catch it before it hit the ground. Then he crows because he won.

  He makes his way over to me and with the sunlight shining from behind him, he is heart-stoppingly gorgeous.

  Seriously.

  I squint up at him as he holds a hand out.

  “Yes?” I ask him, then grin.

  “Come on,” he tells me. “You’ve got a deal to uphold.”

  I’m confused and I tell him that. He smiles.

  “You were supposed to teach me to swim months ago. And you haven’t yet.”

  I consider that.

  “True,” I tell him. “But we’ve been busy with other things. Like, you know, rebuilding a city.”

  He laughs and pulls me to my feet.

  “Excuses, excuses,” he chuckles. “I don’t see a hammer in your hand right now. I think you can fit me in.”

  He wraps his arm around my waist and I tuck myself into his side. We walk leisurely down the beach and I stare up at him.

  “I’m lucky,” I tell him suddenly. And he looks down at me in surprise.

  “Why is that?”

  “Because I’ve got my very own American Cowboy.”

  He smiles and shakes his head. “I’ve told you. You don’t have to keep calling me that. Awesome One will do.”

  I roll my eyes.

  But he is awesome. I’m just never going to admit that to him. He’s cocky enough as it is… but that’s just the way I like him.