“It’s the way I look at Garrett and it’s the way he looks at Ivy” –Angela points to Micah— “and now it’s the way you look at Mina and it makes my heart glad.”
“I’m glad I’m not the only one that sees it.” Micah chortles. “It’s a relief, after you went around swearing off love and relationships and doing the cold and bitter thing. You’re just not that guy, Nathan.”
I meet Mina’s gaze. A blush works its way up her chest and throat, then pinks her cheeks. Her eyes are filled with questions.
There is too much left unsaid between us, too much up in the air, for what Angela and Micah are insinuating.
I want to murder my cousins.
“Anyway,” Angela continues, before I get the chance, “every year, we auction off dates at ROF’s charity gala. It’s no big deal, just an evening out with the winner, and there’s a contract to protect us from any funny business, which you really don’t have to worry about because usually the people with enough money to throw away on something like this are older and just looking for some conversation and a break in routine. The proceeds go to ROF and it’s a lot of fun. The whole family gets involved and I think it’d be awesome if you did too.”
Mina licks her lips. “I doubt anyone would spend good money just for an evening with me.”
“Don’t be too sure about that,” I say with a growl, the thought of Mina with another man twisting in my gut.
I have no right to feel possessive.
But that doesn’t change the fact that I do.
Angela gives me an odd look but doesn’t call me on my strange reaction. “Too bad Nick won’t be home in time. He always pulls in a hefty donation.”
“I don’t know,” says Garrett. “The timing is awfully close. His leave might start just in time for him to make it to the gala.”
“Nick’s the Marine, right?” Mina draws her brows together. “My family is so small; I don’t know how you guys keep it straight.”
“Yep!” Angela grins, brushing a lock of red hair out of her face. “He’s the second oldest of us cousins—”
“By one day!” Micah rolls his eyes in the way he always does when Angela goes out of her way to point out she’s the oldest.
“That doesn’t make it less true,” she shoots back, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Nick’s more like a big brother than a cousin,” I say to Mina, trying to help her make sense of my family tree.
“The best big brother,” Micah offers with a grin. “Kind and protective but never one to take shit from any of us. He kept us in line, didn’t he?”
Angela nods her agreement. “Our parents were so close; we all basically grew up like siblings.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Mina says. “I always wished I had a brother or a sister. Built in friends, you know?”
“It’s just you and your mom now, right?” Garrett asks.
“Yep. Just us.” Mina smiles, but it’s not hers. It’s forced. Troubled. “Mom was an only child. Her parents passed away before I was born.”
“Are you guys still close?” Ivy asks. “You and your mom?”
Mina chews her lip, something heavy settling onto her shoulders. “Very. I’d do anything for her. Her health has…” She shakes her head and drops her gaze. Smooths back a strand of hair that’s fallen from her ponytail. Crosses her arms. Uncrosses them.
She only fidgets when she’s upset.
Her eyes settle on me, and she tenses even more.
“That’s a topic for another day.” Mina refreshes a sad, sad smile and every instinct I have demands I run to the rescue.
“I totally respect that,” Angela says, “but if you ever want to talk, we’re good listeners, though you have Nathan, so you’re good to go in that department.” She looks to Ivy, Micah, and Garrett, who nod their agreement. “But just so it’s out there, our hotels offer an entire health and wellness package, massages, nutrition, guided meditations, if that’s something your mom is into. I can get her set up with the whole deal if you want.”
“That’s incredibly kind of you.” Mina’s smile continues to weaken. She chews the inside of her lip, and I add one more item to my Things About Mina Blake That Drive Me Crazy list. A list that used to be exclusive to things I couldn’t stand but has recent additions like the fact that I can’t stop thinking about her, or the adorable way she looks at me when she’s made a point. The fact that the list has expanded at all is actually an item on the list.
And now there’s today’s addition:
She’s in trouble and I want to help…and I’m tired of telling myself I shouldn’t.
I am who I am. I protect and care for the people that matter and for as much as Dom likes to remind me people like Mina see me as a bank account, it’s not true. Mina is kind and hardworking and if I can do something to help, I will. I just have to figure out what’s wrong first.
TWENTY-TWO
Mina
Mom
Glenda from billing just stopped by to ask about a missing payment. Should I worry? I don’t want you digging yourself into a hole just so I can be here
Absolutely do not worry. I’m good. Money’s good. Wires got crossed, is all. Everything will be straightened up tomorrow.
That’s what I told Glenda
Now.
Why do my ‘Mama Senses’ keep telling me you’re seeing someone?
Your mama senses are on point as always
Please tell me it’s the nice architect guy you’ve had a crush on forever. You deserve good things, Meens. Hot, talented, and kind fits the bill
No…though it is someone I met through work
As long as it’s NOT that rude client
I mayyyy have misread him that first day
Oh Mina…be careful. I didn’t like your dad when we first met either, but I ignored all those initial red flags and got involved anyway. You know how that turned out…
That’s not what’s happening. I promise. I’ll explain at our next visit, but please the most important thing is that you don’t worry. All is fine
I shove my phone back into my bag and find Nathan watching me. Intensely. Which pretty much describes everything between us now.
That check is for the design work you’ve done. Not the dates. Not the kiss. Not our time together. Those are mine.
