Because This Is Forever (16 page)

“If
you’re worried about getting your money back,” she whispered, “then maybe you can
just advance us the money you’re going to give us for the mortgage? This way
you won’t have to pay any more than you already promised. And what money she
pays back can just go into the house.”

Nate
shot her a hard glare. “And what if I refuse?”

Mia looked
at him questioningly. Why was he doing this? Before she could reply, their
young blonde waitress came up and asked if they wanted to look at the dessert
menu.

“No,
I’m done,” Mia said, not looking at Nate.

“Please
bring the check,” he said and she could feel his dark gaze boring into her.

Once they
were alone, Mia turned back to him. “It’s your money, Nate,” she whispered. “And
it’s your decision.”

They
fell silent as they waited for the check. A small part of her wished she had never
brought up the damn money. The evening had started perfect and now they weren’t
even speaking. This is probably what Charles McArthur referred to by getting
someone more on his level, someone who didn’t turn to him for money all the
time. Mia averted her eyes from his, not wanting him to see her hurt and
sadness. Deep in her misery, Mia barely noticed the attractive couple walking
toward them. Nate turned to the couple as they drew near and recognition
flashed in his dark eyes. He slipped out of his seat to greet them.

Mia
forced a smile onto her lips when it came time for Nate to introduce her. “Jake,
Sabrina, this is my…lady, Mia.”

Mia
winced inside. Why had he faltered on the word ‘lady’, as if he couldn’t think
of what to call her? She guessed
lover
,
girlfriend
, or
baby mama
just wouldn’t cut it.

“Jake
and I used to work together,” Nate said for her benefit.

Mia
listened to the small talk around her, not feeling inclined to participate. The
couple seemed pleasant enough and Mia noticed the way Jake held his wife, his
arm securely around her waist as if he was trying to shield her from the world.
Even the way he looked at her, Mia could see the profound love he had for her.

Mia suddenly
found herself envious of their obvious chemistry and love. That was something
she desperately wanted with Nate.

Eventually
the couple excused themselves and once again she and Nate were alone. Nate paid
the check and shortly after, they left the restaurant. As they made the tense drive
back to the condo, Nate finally broke the silence.

“I’ll
loan Leah the money,” he said. “But I’m going to give her half now and half
when she gets settled in California.”

Mia
nodded, not caring anymore. And it wasn’t as if her sister was in any position
to negotiate. “I’ll let her know,” Mia simply said.

“Just
so you know,” he said, keeping his gaze on the road. “I hate like hell that I’m
being petitioned for money like this, but the last thing I want is for us to be
fighting over this.” After a short pause, he added, “I damn sure don’t want us
fighting because of your sister.”

When
they got home, Mikey was already in bed but Leah was lounging on the sofa, the
television on mute. Her sister must have read the strained tension between them
because she said nothing until Nate went into the bedroom.

Leah
cornered her in the kitchen as Mia cleaned up the empty pizza box and soda
cans.

“Did
you ask him?” her sister asked earnestly.

Mia
nodded but told her about the stipulation in which Nate would give her the
money.

“But
I need all of it,” Leah sputtered.

“You can
get either half or nothing,” Mia snapped. “Your choice. I’m through talking
about this.”

She
left her sister standing in the kitchen, angry at her for putting her in this
awkward position with Nate. The shower in the bedroom was running but Mia
hesitated going inside. She didn’t want to lay down with Nate with this kind of
tension between them.

So she
doubled back and went to check in on their son.

They
had put up a few glow-in-the-dark stars in his room during their decorating
project and the small, glowing lights illuminated her son’s sleeping form. Mia
walked into the room and sat down on the bed beside him.

She
rubbed his small back softly, content to just sit there and watch him sleep.
Everything she did, she did for him. There were times she felt she wasn’t doing
enough to ensure his happiness, comfort, and safety. Yet these past couple of
weeks, she had watched as Mikey bonded and got even closer to Nate. He was
comfortable with his father and was getting used to having him around. If a
short business trip had brought on tears, how would he react when they eventually
left this place?

Mia
stretched out on the narrow bed beside her son, listening to his soft
breathing. She must have dozed off because she suddenly felt a gentle tug on
her arm.

“Come
on,” Nate whispered above her. “Let’s go to bed.”

Nate
led her to his bedroom and into the bathroom. They stood facing each other and
in her sleepy state, she didn’t realize he was undressing her until the dress
pooled at her feet.

Her
eyes grew wide. She was now fully alert but he didn’t say anything or touch
her. He just picked up the dress and left the bathroom.

Mia
took a long shower, enjoying the spray of the warm water against her tired body
and weary mind. She eventually emerged, wearing one of her thin, long
nightshirts only to find him sitting up in bed, waiting for her.

They simply
stared at each other. When she still made no move from her spot, he came up to
her and pulled her into his arms.

“We’re
gonna argue,” he whispered into her hair, his tone soft and low but adamant. “It
can’t be helped. This isn’t our first and it won’t be our last. But before we
get into that bed, we have to promise to leave the bullshit outside this room.”

Mia
looped her arms around his waist, offering him her silent agreement. There was
nothing she wanted more. She closed her eyes and held him tight.

Chapter
Fifteen

The
company picnic turned out to be less dramatic than Mia expected. There were no
awkward questions or judging looks, just curious glances toward the CEO and his
sudden family. But otherwise everyone had been kind, even courteous toward her and
Mikey. There was an obvious respect for Nate that had also extended to them.

MMC
employees and their families filled the park but luckily it was large enough to
accommodate such a crush. Everything had been contracted or catered, down to
the many food carts that lined the park, and the large red and green bounce-house
dominating the space. From the camaraderie between everyone, Mia could see what
a special event Nate had started for his employees.

Mia eventually
ran into some familiar faces. One of them being James Kent. She wasn’t too surprised
to find he was still single. He had been such a flirt—and still was. They
filled each other in on the last five years, Mia giving him the abridged
version of her life, as she had everyone else. That she had moved back to
Detroit to be with her family and raise her son but was back in Chicago
visiting for the summer. James had met Nate at her apartment that long ago night
and didn’t seem too surprised when he learned Mikey was Nate’s.

 
Once she introduced James to Leah, however, he
began flirting outrageously with her sister and Leah let him. She gave as good
as she got, too, and not long after the two were wandering off together.

Nate was
off greeting and chatting with the family’s in attendance and Mia didn’t want
to be one of those women who clung to their man, scared to socialize on her
own. However, she had already met with everyone she recognized and was now worn
out from all the walking. Mikey had begged her to go into the bounce-house and
she had set him loose on the large balloon. She eventually found a fairly empty
canopied picnic bench nearby with a woman sitting alone.

“Hi,”
Mia said when she reached the bench. “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Not at
all,” the woman said smiling. She was a pretty black woman with smooth, oak brown
skin and beautiful, thick black curly hair, which was pulled up high on her
head. “I was starting to feel deserted there for a minute,” the woman
continued. “My husband went to get me a drink and I haven’t seen him since. My
kids went into that bounce-house and haven’t come out since I sat down.”

Mia
laughed and sat down across from her. She glanced at the large inflated playhouse,
which loomed nearby. “Yeah, my son just got sucked into that place too,” Mia
muttered. She held out her hand to the woman. “I’m Mia, by the way.”

The
woman shifted to grab her hand and Mia noticed her perfectly round belly,
outlined in a yellow and white summer dress, peeking out from the long wooden
picnic table. “Thanks for keeping me company, Mia. I’m Cara.”

Mia
pointed at her belly. “How far along are you?”

Cara
smiled. “Five months. And then this is it.”

Mia
laughed, recognizing the look of joy of carrying a life inside you but the
frustration of having to share your body for the next nine months. “How many
children do you have?” Mia asked, remembering the ones she’d mentioned lost in
the bounce-house.

“This
makes number three, which I think is a good number to stop with.”

They
sat and chatted for a while, comparing pregnancy stories. Mia was surprised at
how open she was being with a woman she’d just met. But Cara was such a
genuine, laid-back person it was hard
not
to want to talk to her. Mia didn’t miss the quick glance Cara spared her hand
when she mentioned Mikey’s father was Nate McArthur. Mia involuntary clasped
her hands together but Cara made no mention of it.

In
their conversation, Mia found they had lots more in common. Both their first
born were four and delivered around the same time, and they had both worked at
MMC at one point.

“I
worked for my husband actually for a short while,” Cara said. “But it didn’t
take long for me to realize it would never work. So I quit.”

They
both laughed, understanding the challenges of working for the men of McArthur,
Murphy and Company. Yet when Cara spoke of her husband, there was nothing but
love and joy on her pretty face.

“You sound
very happy,” Mia blurted. She was instantly embarrassed by her blunt comment.
She hoped it didn’t come out mocking or presumptuous.

Cara
gave her a gentle smile. “I am,” she whispered. “But we had to get through a
lot before we got here.”

“I’m
sorry,” Mia began. “I didn’t mean to sound—”

Cara
shook her head, gently patting her arm. “You didn’t, trust me. Drake and I have
known each other for a long time and, though we went years without speaking, we
managed to find each other again just in time.” She smiled softly. “He turned
out to be my saving grace.”

Mia’s
eyes misted at her words. Cara laughed then squeezed her hand, her eyes misty as
well. “Hey, I’m the pregnant lady here. I should be doing the crying.”

Mia
laughed, dabbing her eyes. “I know, I’m just…” She sighed. “I’m hopeless.”

Cara
smile. “No, you’re a romantic. I like that.” She paused then added, “I’d like
to think I am too. One thing my experience has taught me is that love comes
when you least expect it, and when the time is right, true love will find you.”

It
wasn’t long before Mia met the man who put a smile on Cara’s face just by
thinking of him. A large man, who was just as tall as Nate only…wider, with
golden brown hair and tanned skin, made his way toward them.

“Speak
of my devil,” Cara murmured with a brilliant grin. As he drew near, she called
out to him. “Where did you go? Alaska?”

He
handed her the bag and placed a quick kiss on her lips. “Just about,” he said. “I
couldn’t find ginger ale anywhere around here. If I had known I’d end up
walking across town to find one, I would have taken the truck.”

Cara
opened the bag and pulled out the green bottle. “Hmm, my hero,” she whispered and
took a long drink.

Her
husband turned to her and held out his hand. “Since my wife insists on being
rude, I’ll introduce myself. I’m Drake Ross.”

Mia
took his hand but before she could introduce herself, Cara tore her lips from
the bottle. “Sorry,” she sputtered. “Husband, Mia. Mia, my husband.”

Mia
smiled up at the large man. “Nice to meet you.”

“Same
here,” he replied.

Suddenly
she noticed Nate walking toward them in easy, confident strides. Even in simple
jeans and Polo, he was a sight to behold.

When
he reached them, he greeted Drake and Cara then leaned down and placed a lingering
kiss on her lips, in full view of everyone. Not that anyone knew the extent of
their newfound relationship, but she hadn’t expected him to show affection for
others to witness and analyze.

He
pulled away, looking at her searchingly. “You okay?”

She
nodded, smiling.

“Where’s
Mikey?” he asked. “I promised him a freeze cup.”

“In
the bounce-house,” she whispered, still recovering from the tender kiss.

“That
sounds like a good idea,” Cara said to her husband. “Honey, why don’t you take
Cassie and Caleb for one too?”

Drake
raised a brow. “Trying to get rid of me?”

Cara
laughed. “No, just thinking they could use a break from that place too.”

The
two men went to the bounce-house and a few minutes later, Drake came back with
two adorable kids with golden brown skin, pale gold curly hair, and bright, hazel
eyes.

“Oh
my, your children are beautiful,” Mia whispered to her.

Cara
beamed. “Thank you.”

Nate
followed behind Drake, a frown on his face. When she didn’t see Mikey with him,
she got up from her seat and went to him. The expression on his face worried
her.

“Are
you sure he went in there,” Nate asked her when she reached him.

Mia
nodded. “Yes, I saw him go in there right before I sat down.” And from where
she had sat with Cara, she would have seen him if he’d left.
Wouldn’t she?

Fear clawed
at her gut and she pushed past Nate and went to the bounce-house. Maybe Nate
had missed him.

They
searched in and around the bounce-house, however, and still no Mikey. She
called out his name with no response. Mickey never wandered off like this.

Her
fear turned into panic.

“Nate,
where is he?” She couldn’t keep the tremble from her voice.

“Don’t
worry,” Nate said reassuringly, drawing her close. “He’s here somewhere. Just
wait here in case he shows up and I’ll check out the playground.”

But panic
and fear made her frantic. The park was so big she didn’t know where to start
yet she couldn’t just wait there. She moved all around the park, calling out
for her son, not caring about the strange looks she was attracting.

Mia
eventually ended up right back where she started near the bounce-house.

And that’s
where she found him.

Relief
and a good amount of anger propelled her steps forward. She wrapped her hand
around his small arm and yanked him down just as he was about to reenter the
large balloon.

She
dragged him aside, giving him a good, hard shake. “
Michael Nathaniel Trent,
where
the hell were you
?” She was too angry to realize she was shouting. “I’ve
been looking all over for you. What did you think running off like that,
huh
?”

Mikey
started to cry and she couldn’t get anything from him. She couldn’t remember
the last time she’d raised her voice at him. Then again, he had never scared
her like that before. This was a first for them both.

Nate
soon found them and Mikey ran to him. Nate lifted him up and glanced over at
her, confused.

“What
happened?” he asked. “Where did you find him?”

But it
was Mikey who answered for her. “Mommy, yelled at me,” he hiccupped, crying
even louder.

Nate
rubbed his back. “That’s because you scared us. Now tell us where you went.”

“I
didn’t go nowhere,” Mikey exclaimed through his tears.

“It’s
not good to lie to us,” Nate said sternly. “Just tell us the truth, and I
promise I won’t get mad.”

Mikey
lifted his head from Nates’ shoulders. “But I’m not lying,” he said adamantly.
“I was playing in the balloon house. But then
some man with glasses said you were looking for me and that he would take me to
find you.”

Mia tensed
at that and glanced up at Nate, who was also frowning.
                                                                                                                                                      

“What
man with glasses,” he asked.

Mikey
shrugged. “He said he works for you. But then when we couldn’t find you, I told
him Auntie might know where you went because I saw her but he wouldn’t go ask
her. Then he just disappeared,” Mikey said with another shrug. “So I came back
here.”

Mia
could see Nate’s mind working fast. His voice remained gentle but his eyes were
sharp. “Do you remember his name?”

Mikey
thought about it then shook his head. “No. I’m sorry, Daddy.”

“It’s
okay. But next time, if me, Mommy, or your aunt Leah isn’t with you, I don’t
want you talking or going anywhere with
anybody
.
You understand?”

Mikey
nodded, laying his head back on Nate’s shoulders. “Is Mommy still mad at me?”
he whispered despite Mia standing only a foot away from them.

Nate
looked at her then put Mikey down. “Why don’t you ask her?”

Mia
pulled her son to her when he drew near and held him tight. She ran her fingers
through his soft curls. “I’m not mad at you, baby. But you can’t scare me like that
again. Okay?”

He
nodded and the rest of the afternoon, Mia kept him close. Not long after, they
left the park with a promise to Cara that she would bring Mikey over to her
son’s birthday party next month. It would be the last thing she and Mikey did
before they left for Detroit. At the thought of leaving, an overwhelming sense
of depression washed over her.

And
thanks to her sister, her mood went from bad to wretched by the time they got
home.

The
problem with Leah, Mia was starting to realize, was that she didn’t know when
to stop. Despite Nate handing her a check for five thousand dollars, Leah made
a huge fuss about getting the entire amount. Nate, however, wouldn’t budge and
simply stood in his office as Mia tried to get her sister to back off.

Leah
wouldn’t be muzzled.

“You
think you can control me like you control my sister?” Leah spat. “Oh, you’ll
help us but only on
your
terms. It
doesn’t matter that we’re about to lose our house, you’ll help only when you’re
good and God damn ready.”