Payback and a Bottle of Merlot: Like Sisters Series Book One (13 page)

The creaking hinge of the front door opening startled Mia out of her daydream.

“Mia? I thought that was your car along the curb. What are you doing?” Aaron asked, somewhat puzzled. “How long have you been sitting out here?”

“Hi, Aaron. I’ve only been here for a few minutes. It’s so beautiful, I needed a minute to appreciate it. It’s a photographer thing, I guess.” Mia tried to downplay the fact that she would give her right lung to live there.
I deserve happiness too, damn it.

Reggie bounded out the front door at the sound of Mia’s voice. He jumped on her with wet dog kisses and tail wags. They laughed at his excitement and Aaron welcomed Mia inside.

“Do you want to stay for lunch? I was starting to get it together. It would be great to talk, and you can update me on your dad.”

“Thanks, but I already have lunch plans. So, the good news is, my dad is going to be fine. It might take six months before he’s his old self again, but there wasn’t any permanent damage.”

“That’s great to hear. I’m relieved for all of you.”

“Anyway, thanks for taking care of Reggie. I stopped at the bookstore and got this for you, and… well here… I just hope you like it.”

“Mia, you didn’t have to buy me a gift. I’d do anything for you, and Reggie, he’s a blast.” Aaron opened the bag and found the very same book he just read the free preview of. He planned to stop at the bookstore later and buy it. “It’s uncanny,” he said, scratching his forehead.

“What is, Aaron?”

“You are. I’m just amazed at how well you know me.”

She smiled in response, but had to bite her tongue so she wouldn’t ask him about Friday night. His personal life was his own affair, and asking who visited him was none of her business. It would also reveal a side of Mia that Aaron hadn’t seen before. Mia was jealous, and she wasn’t sure how to deal with that.

“Okay, I better go and drop Reggie off at home. I’ll see you soon, bye.”

“Bye, Mia, take care,” Aaron said, as he watched her walk down the brick sidewalk to her car. He lingered at the door longer than necessary, watching, smiling and drinking in her beauty. She was the one, the only one Aaron would ever love.

***

Mia was anxious to meet up with Vic and Tina at Amelia’s on Main Street. They had to get back on track and come up with something concrete. Mia parked her black Camaro right in front of the restaurant. There were perks to living in small towns. She found parking spots easily. Mia saw her friends waiting inside through the window.

“Yay! There’s our girl, back from sunny Florida,” Tina said, smiling from ear to ear. After the group hug, they were seated in a corner booth. “So everything is going to be okay with your dad, right?”

“Yep, he’ll be fine, thank goodness. That’s one less person I need to worry about. My mom and dad are going to spend a few months with Matt in L.A. as Dad recuperates. Matt really came through on this one. There’s no way I could have stayed down there, or had them here the way things are going with Jack.”

“Speaking of Jack, where the hell is he? Have you even heard from him?” Vic asked.

“Nope, still nothing. What a jerk, right? I mean, how would he even know when I was coming home, since we haven’t spoken. Did he intend to beat me back so I wouldn’t realize he was gone?” Mia asked, gulping her Brooklyn Summer Ale. “Tomorrow is a work day, and he’s been gone since last Saturday. I would expect him home sometime today. It will be interesting to hear what he uses as an excuse. Of course, he has no idea I know he’s been gone for a week. Maybe he’ll just use the same old Claire story and act like he spent last night in the city. God that man irritates me. Anyway, we need to hook up with Karen and get the ball rolling. I’ll give her a call. Should we try to get together on Tuesday again?”

“Sure, why not? We’ve already put teasers out on the salon owner’s blog. We said there was an audition in the works for local models to compete for the cover photo of a new glamour magazine. We wrote there were just a few slots left, and we’re going to narrow it down to the final four next week. In reality, Sasha will be the only one we’re going to deal with.”

“That sounds perfect. Karen will know what to do,” Mia said, wearing a devious grin.

Chapter Seventeen

She noticed the interior house lights were on when she pulled in the driveway. That meant one thing—Jack was home. She saw him through the window, milling around in the kitchen. A sharp pain stabbed at her stomach the minute she parked the car. It surprised Mia how quickly the nervousness and anxiety kicked in. She wanted to confront Jack and tell him what she thought of him. The urge to slap his face and tell him to get out was strong, but timing was more important right now. She had to suck it up and play the role of the century. Daily life had to remain “status quo” even as much as she despised him. Mia sat in her car for another few minutes until the pain subsided.

I have to be strong and in control. I can’t walk in the front door doubled over holding my stomach. Damn it. I have no clue what to say when I see him. I’ll let him lead the conversation.

Mia inhaled the afternoon air deeply to calm her nerves, then opened the front door and stepped inside. Jack came around the corner and into the foyer as she closed the door. He held a cold beer in his hand, trying to give the appearance of being relaxed and nonchalant.

“Jack.”

“Mia, where have you been? I saw your suitcase by the closet, when did you get back?”

“You’d know when I got back if you were home.”

“Yeah… well I went to the gym earlier and ran a few errands. So when did you get back?”

“Today.”
Liar liar, pants on fire. Lies slip out of both of our mouths easily these days.

“Right… that’s what I thought since you weren’t here last night. I bought groceries and Reggie is fine. I just fed and walked him. So how’s your dad?”

“He’ll be okay in time. You’d know that too if you bothered calling me. I tried you a few times, but your voice mail always picked up. Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

“When I’m at work I always turn my phone to vibrate. I guess I missed the calls.”

“Right… I’m going to take a nap, I’m tired. Jack?”

“Yeah?”

“What’s with the tan?”

“The tan? Oh…
my
tan? That’s from the tanning bed at the gym.”

“You need to use a tanning bed in the summer? Why?”

“I don’t know, it’s relaxing I guess. Go ahead, get some rest. I have work to catch up on anyway.”

“Are you behind at the office?” she snickered.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Mia closed the bedroom door behind her and sat on the bed holding her throbbing temples.
I can’t believe the shit he makes up. The lies pop out of his mouth like it’s nothing, it’s so natural for him. At least my lies are insignificant compared to his. He bought groceries and just walked Reggie? Right. Jack, you’re such an ass.

***

Mia knew what to do the minute Jack left for work Monday morning. She needed a telephoto lens and she would get it from Aaron. For today, she was fine hanging out in the bedroom. Avoiding Jack was easier than accidentally blurting something out if he provoked her. Luckily, there was a TV on the dresser. Sunday afternoons didn’t provide anything entertaining to watch, but Mia turned it on for background noise in case she made a phone call. A sound buffer was always a good idea. She checked out different prices and brands of telephoto lenses on her tablet. She wrote down the ones she liked so she wouldn’t spend too much time at the camera shop. Mia still felt strange around Aaron. It was so unlike him to have a woman at his house Mia didn’t know. It was an Aaron she wasn’t used to. She felt betrayed in a way. W
hy am I all twisted up about this? I can’t expect him to wait his whole life for me. That is so wrong on my part. I should be happy for Aaron if he’s found a girlfriend. Instead, I’m behaving like a jealous teenager.

Mia left the house about an hour after Jack did Monday morning. Daniels Camera Shop didn’t open until nine o’clock anyway. She decided to ride her bike into town just because it was that beautiful of a morning. A stop at Amelia’s for a danish and coffee while sitting in the sun, sounded like a perfect way to start the day. Amelia’s was only a block from Aaron’s shop, so she would see him arrive. Since Aaron was the owner, and everything downtown was so laid back, the shop might open anywhere between nine and nine thirty in the morning. Mia nibbled on her danish, enjoying every delectable bite, especially her favorite part, the cheese center. The strong Columbian coffee was magnificent. She made a quick call to her mom just to say hi and to see how everyone was doing.

“Hi, Mom, how are you guys?”

“We’re good, honey. We’re leaving at the end of the week. Dad needed a post-op exam before the doctor would give him clearance to fly. We should be set to go on Thursday. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Everything is good. My flight back home went well and Jack says hi.”
Another lie passing my lips,
she thought, as she asked God for forgiveness, and promised to go to church now and then. “How’s Matt?”

“He’s so helpful. I’m really grateful and proud of you both. Your dad and I really raised wonderful children.”

“Thanks, Mom, that’s sweet of you to say.”
If she only knew what I’m up to, she wouldn’t think I’m so wonderful.

Mia glanced up when she heard voices across the street. There, in front of her eyes, was Aaron and a woman Mia didn’t recognize. They were walking side by side into the camera shop. Mia saw them laughing as he unlocked the door and they stepped inside. Aaron closed the door behind them, forgetting to flip the sign around to show the store was now open.

“Well anyway, he got such a kick out of that comment. It was the first time your dad laughed since he got home. Isn’t that wonderful, honey?”

“What? Oh yeah, that’s great, Mom. I just remembered a call I have to make. It’s been good talking to you. I’ll call back before you guys leave for L.A. I love you.”

“Okay, honey, I love you too, bye.”

“Jeez, Mia… you didn’t hear a word she said.” Mia was angry with herself for zoning out on her mom like that, but seeing Aaron with that woman startled her into a deer in the headlights trance.
What is Aaron up to, and who the hell is that woman?
“That’s it! I’m not taking crap from anyone, not even Aaron.”

Mia marched across the street, forgetting her bicycle, and entered Aaron’s store. The bell slammed against the ceiling from the impact of the door flying open. Mia heard voices in the back room. Aaron appeared around the corner, shocked to see her.

“Mia!”

“Hey, Aaron, what’s up?” she asked, with her head cocked and her hands firmly gripping her hips.

“What are you doing here?”

“It’s a public store, isn’t it?” A snarky, unfamiliar voice spewed from her mouth.

“Well of course it is. I meant it’s so early, that’s all.”

“Well, you’re open aren’t you? I need a telephoto lens, and I want your advice on what to buy.”

“Sure, give me a second. I’ll be right back.”

Aaron disappeared into the back room while Mia paced the floor with her jaws clenched. She heard voices again, then the sound of the back door opening and closing. Aaron reappeared with his typical smile which infuriated her even more. She wanted to slap his face.

He’s up to something damn it and I want to know what it is.
“Did I hear somebody back there with you?”

“Oh, yeah… no big deal. So you want a telephoto lens, huh? They’re pretty expensive. Why do you need one anyway?”

“Jeez, Aaron, I don’t know… because I’m a photographer.”
He’s deliberately avoiding my question.

“I’m only asking because I don’t stock many. If you want one for a decent price, we can look in the catalog, but I’d still have to order it. How soon do you need it?”

“I need it right away. I thought you might have something in stock that would work.”

“I do, but they’re expensive. If it’s for occasional use, why not borrow my setup? We can meet at my house during the lunch hour if you want to. I’ll show you what I have, then you can decide if it will work for you. I’ll even make lunch for us.”

“That’s nice of you,” Mia said, softening up a bit. “Okay, it’s a deal. I’ll meet you at noon at your place. Thanks.”

“Sure, Mia, anything for you.”

Mia mindlessly walked out of habit toward the town square parking lot when she remembered she rode her bike into town.
Damn it, I’m so distracted wondering who that woman was. It’s bugging the heck out of me, but I have to let it go. Aaron doesn’t owe me any explanations. It’s none of my business.
Mia took a deep breath and shrugged her shoulders to relax and clear her head. She wanted to enjoy the scenery and the fresh air as she rode her bike home.

Chapter Eighteen

At home and relaxing on the patio with a Diet Coke, Mia took the time to call Karen. She wanted to catch up with her new friend.

“Hi, Karen. I might get a chance to take close up shots of Jack and Sasha sooner than we thought. A friend of mine offered to loan me his camera and telephoto lens so I won’t need to order one. After I get his setup, we can start moving this plan along.”

“That’s great. I can’t wait to see Jack’s face when this all goes down. It will be priceless.”

“No kidding, right?”

“So how was your trip to Florida? Will your dad be okay?”

“Yes he will, thank goodness. My parents are going to stay in L.A. with my brother and his family for a few months. They’ll be in good hands, so that’s a relief. We’re still on for tomorrow at Hair Brained, right?”

“Oh, for sure. I’ll see you in the morning. Later, Mia, bye.”

“Bye, Karen.” Mia hung up and pulled out another icy Diet Coke from the refrigerator. She popped the top and grabbed the leash. “C’mon Reggie, let’s go for a walk.”

A half hour into their neighborhood stroll, Mia checked her watch: 11:00 a.m. “We’ve got to get home.” She led him into a full run for the final few blocks to the house. They were exhausted by the time they reached the front door. Reggie plopped down on the foyer’s cool tile floor, and Mia stripped off her clothes as she headed down the hallway toward the shower. Looking a little nicer than usual was becoming important to her again. By eleven-fifty Mia was backing out of the driveway. It was an easy seven minutes by car to get to Oak Terrace Lane. Aaron sat on the front porch and watched as her black Camaro came down the street toward his house. He daydreamed about Mia constantly, but having her here, at his home, made the possibilities of them being together seem even more real.