Mia stared out the window. The snow dusted the pavement and covered cars. People rushed down the muddy street, huddled in coats, grumpy from the weather. With Christmas only a few weeks away, the city took a deep, collective, irritated breath and just held on. Constant crowds, traffic, bad tempers, and unrelenting social schedules overruled heart and stomped all over the Christmas spirit.
She placed her palm flat against the cool pane and wondered what Ethan was doing.
Thanksgiving loomed, and she was trying to carve out a few days to spend at the farm. She hadn’t been able to see Ethan since election night over two weeks ago. They’d signed three big-name clients, and she’d spent the past weekend in crisis mode, trying to handle some big social appearances for a new boy band. She’d been to the hottest underground nightclub and hung out with some of the hottest boy bands in the business, then met with a potential up-and-coming senator who was as passionate as Jonathan about helping the working class. Gabby was working around the clock as they interviewed for additional staff. The company was growing so fast, her phone rang off the hook with clients begging for representation. She’d finally made the big time. Her dream had finally come true.
And Mia realized she wasn’t happy.
She went through the motions of work, but her heart wasn’t in it. The thrill she once had was gone. Instead, she had more fun on the phone with Fran and Brian and Tattoo Ted regarding their new marketing and social media strategies. They’d recommended her to a few more businesses, and though she had no time, she squeezed them in because they were her people. Who would’ve thought she’d spend more effort on recruiting crowds for a local comic convention than on the new client who wanted to play the role of Spider-Man in the brand-new television series?
Yeah. She was screwed up.
She just didn’t know what to do about it.
Her entire life had revolved around building a company and securing justice for her father. Now, she was on the brink of greatness, and suddenly she was doubting her whole path. When had things so drastically changed? And could she give up everything she’d worked so hard for?
What worried her the most was Ethan. She was terrified he was beginning to pull away. The morning after the gala, she’d caught him staring at her with a sadness in his eyes she’d never glimpsed before. Sure, he denied it and covered it up with a smile, but his goodbye shook something inside her. What if he wasn’t happy with a long-distance relationship anymore? What if he was beginning to wonder if the effort and frustration were worth it? What if each time he visited her, he was losing a piece of himself by being back in the city—in his old life? She couldn’t forgive herself if he sacrificed his happiness for hers. But more important, this life she thought she wanted so badly wasn’t what she expected. It didn’t fulfill her the way being on the farm with Ethan had. All she did lately was lie in bed, not sleeping, trying to figure out the right answer.
Her speaker buzzed. “Mia, Jonathan Lake is here to see you.”
Surprised, she clicked on. “Send him in.”
She greeted him with a smile when he walked in. He looked polished in a charcoal suit with a conservative tie. But his face showed evidence of tiredness, lines bracketing his eyes and mouth. He took a seat across from her desk. “I didn’t expect to see you this week,” she said, slipping into her chair. “Is everything okay? Problems? Anything I need to solve?”
“Work is good. Busy, but good. Prepping my successor and trying to figure out a million other details, but I’m solid, Mia. Thank you.”
“Of course, you know I’m always here for you.”
“I know. You’ve always proven that, which is why I needed to see you.” He paused, as if collecting his thoughts. “It’s Chloe.”
She leaned forward with concern. “What’s happening? School? Friends? She hasn’t gotten into any trouble, has she?”
He raised a hand in the air. “No, nothing like that. In fact, she’s been perfect. She’s getting all As this semester. She’s home in the evenings and hasn’t been spotted at any crazy parties or social functions that could cause problems. She meets me for lunch on a regular basis and takes all my calls.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
He stared at her, blue eyes glinting with regret. “She’s not . . . happy.”
Mia let out a breath. “How do you know?”
He smiled grimly. “I’m her father. I may not notice everything, but my daughter has lost a zest for life that made her who she was. Like my wife. God, she’s even lost her hostility and sometimes smart-ass demeanor, and I miss that. I think I made a big mistake, Mia. Forcing her to come back and attend NYU. She’s done everything I’ve asked to get me elected, and she put her own life on hold.”
Mia blinked back the sting of tears. “She loves you.”
“And I love her. I’m starting to realize I’ve been selfish. I was so focused on helping the people of New York, I forgot about my own daughter. You know who she constantly talks about nonstop? The farm. Ethan. You. Phoenix. Something happened this summer I’ve never seen before. It was like she found a second family, but I never saw it. Didn’t want to see it. I was blinded by wanting to win this election.”
“It’s understandable, Jonathan. It was important, and Chloe understands. But I think you’re right. I think she’d rather go back to SUNY New Paltz. Work for Ethan. Find her happiness, on her terms.”
He nodded. “I think so, too. It’s going to be hard losing both of you in one swoop. I’ve come to rely on you, Mia. But it’s time for me to move on, too.”
“I understand but—wait, what are you talking about? I’m not moving on.”
He blinked in confusion. “Oh. I figured you’d be moving upstate with Ethan.”
“I thought you assumed he’d move here with me. You’re the one who got me all those extra clients.”
He cocked his head and regarded her. “Well, that’s what I originally thought, but you’re miserable. You’ve been miserable since you left the farm, just like Chloe.”
“How do you know that?”
“It’s obvious every time I see you. Oh, sure, you go through the motions and do your job perfectly, but there’s a lack of zest, like Chloe. You used to be so excited and focused and energized. You lived for challenges. That’s why I thought you’d be thrilled when your business exploded, but now I realize it backfired. Because I don’t think you want to do this anymore. At least, not like this.” He got up from his seat, straightened his jacket, and headed toward the door. “I’m going to talk to Chloe and give her the news. It’ll be nice to know she has you and Ethan to look out for her.”
He shut the door behind him.
Jonathan’s words dove deep and unearthed the truth she’d been struggling with since the moment she came back to the city.
She didn’t want this any longer.
Jonathan saw what she had been trying to deny. She was living in a fog, only half-involved in her life because her heart was with Ethan. She didn’t want to live in the city and work nonstop and go to glossy, famous parties and solve celebrity problems. She didn’t want Ethan to travel to the city and lose a piece of himself just so she could add another client to her roster.
She wanted Ethan and Hei Hei and the inn and the farm.
She wanted that home.
Shaking slightly, her mind flashed through the endless tasks that needed to be accomplished to get her to the goal.
To get her back to Ethan.
She hit the “Speaker” button. “Gabby, get in here. And bring a bottle of wine. You’re going to need it.”
“Ah, fuck.” Gabby groaned over the speaker.
Mia smiled with anticipation.