Chapter Twenty-Two
The noise in the house had gone up exponentially once Nana came home with Uncle Rob, Aunt Leslie, and her two cousins in tow. Her cousins Mike and Jason, both teenage boys, commandeered the flat screen in the living room and attached their video game console. Ben loved them, and the three of them spent hours blowing things up and vanquishing bad guys. Her mother complained about the noise, her aunt rolled her eyes, and Mia was happy to have a big noisy family of her own.
Adam had been able to change the reservation to accommodate all the additions, and she was happy that her birthday celebration wouldn’t be quiet and dignified. With luck, someone would get nice and drunk.
She sat on the bed in her room and looked at her reflection. Her mother would tell her she looked plump, or busty, or one of the other words she substituted for fat.
Standing, Mia examined herself again, this time in the full-length mirror… and was okay with the person staring back at her. A first, to be sure. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Mia reached for a pair of dangly earrings, but instead pulled her hand back and grasped the box with her birthday present.
“What did you get from Tiffany?” Mia turned at the sound of Mom’s voice. She was standing in the doorway, looking polished and pulled together. And thin. As usual.
Mia took the velvet box and opened it, showing her the diamond earrings. Even her mother seemed impressed, and Ellen DeAngelis was never impressed. “From Adam?”
Mia nodded and took the studs from the box and carefully secured them in each ear. Her mother stepped into the room and walked to the window. “He’s very important to me, Mom. I don’t know where this is going, but I have a right to find out.”
“I don’t like it. After what happened to your sister…”
“I’m not Sara and he’s not the guy who left Sara.”
“But he’s… he’s a football coach, Mia.”
“He’s a good man, Mom, and he’s been so good for Ben and for me. Your obsession with the sports thing is not healthy. It’s extreme.”
Her mother sat in the armchair in the corner of the room and gazed out the big windows across the harbor. “I don’t like it.”
“I know, you said that, but it’s not your decision.”
There were several bottles of perfume, but Mia reached for the one she’d figured out was Adam’s favorite. Spritzing a little behind her ear and a little on her cleavage, she watched her mother cringe. “Something wrong, Mom?”
“The top is a little low cut, don’t you think?”
Mia examined the deep V-neck of the soft blue wrap sweater she wore. Her original thought was to layer a cami under it, but with the right bra, it didn’t need it, and the neckline flattered her. She loved how he looked at her, loved how his eyes darkened with desire, and never having been a woman who dressed for a man, she found herself doing it more and more often.
“I’m not going to work. This is fine.”
“It’s too much,” her mother said. Mia stopped for a moment and let the words sink in. As she fixed the clasp of her bracelet, and fluffed up her hair, she looked at her mother in the mirror. Her eyes were narrowed, her lips pursed. It was the same tight disapproving sneer Mia remembered from her childhood. Mom never had to raise her voice; she could scold someone with her face. It was something Mia never wanted to be.
Thinking carefully about her response, Mia gripped the edge of her dresser and steadied herself before she turned. This was the face-off she’d been trying to avoid, but if she had any hope of having a pleasant birthday dinner, her mother needed to understand her place. Mia was thirty years old and it was time she acted like it.
Her mother must have sensed that there was going to be a confrontation, because her back straightened and her hands came together neatly in her lap. This was her ‘I dare you’ pose.
“Too much?”
“Yes. I don’t think you need to flaunt yourself quite so much.” Mia looked down at the girls and then watched her mother’s body language. Slowly, her Mom crossed her arms over her very small bust line. Nana was right.
“Mom, do you sit around and think of the most absurdly mean things to say to me? How is this okay?”
Mia never saw her mother shoot up from a chair quite so fast. “I beg your pardon?”
“I’ve decided that I like the way I look. You’re the only one who seems to have a problem with it.”
“If I’m harsh, it’s only because I want you to be the best you can be. You have such a pretty face, but…”
“But nothing. My whole life you’ve made me feel second rate. Stop it.”
Her mother sat down and dropped her head. “I had no idea you were so angry with me.”
“Well, now you know.”
A long, tense silence stretched between them. Would her mother strike out at her, give her the silent treatment, or acknowledge the problem? It was none of those. Instead, she asked a question.
“So, is that why you’re with the football player? To get back at me? To dishonor your sister?”
“That’s a low blow and totally unfair—to me, and to Adam. I’m not with him to spite you. It has nothing to do with you.” She turned away because she felt the emotions welling up. Feelings her mother couldn’t, or wouldn’t understand. “All you need to know is that I’ve never been happier, and neither has Ben.”
Her mother rose and stepped beside her, making eye contact again in the mirror. “It won’t last. He’ll leave you.”
“You don’t know that. But I have to give it a chance. I can’t keep worrying about what might happen.”
“And Sara’s memory?”
“She’ll always be with me, Mom, but I can’t live my life for her anymore. I have to live for myself and for Ben.”
“You work on a college campus. I’m sure there are dozens of suitable men. I don’t understand,” she sniffed.
“You’re right, and how lucky that I found the man who’s best for me.” How could she possibly explain to her mother how Adam made her feel? How when he touched her everything else dropped away? How when he was nearby, whatever troubles she had seemed less burdensome?
There was another protracted silence, and finally Mia heard familiar footsteps on the stairs. Soon Adam appeared in the doorway, and all Mia’s anger melted away.
“Hey, birthday girl.” His kiss gently brushed her cheek, and the way he beamed at her melted the tension skittering around the room. Without missing a beat, or thinking about Mia’s happiness, her mother was scowling at the scene.
“Mrs. DeAngelis. Looking forward to the evening?”
It took a few seconds for the reaction, but Mia was sure Adam felt the chill as her mother swept out of the room without so much as a glance back.
“I’m sorry about that.”
He shook his head. “Eh, don’t worry about it.”
But she did worry. Her mother created drama. She wasn’t warm like Nana, or supportive like Adam’s family. No, Mom was all about conflict, and lots of it. Adam wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, his lips touching her forehead. “I just want you to have a good time tonight. I can handle your mother.”
“Really?”
“Really. Your Aunt Regina is a hoot, and I like your uncle and aunt and cousins. It’s going to be fine.”
She nodded. He was right. Her mother might never come around, and although she could intellectually come to grips with it, emotionally it hurt. Mia made a promise to herself that if she ever had a little girl of her own, she’d never heap that kind of baggage on her. Love would not come with conditions.
A little girl—her’s and Adam’s. God, what Mia wouldn’t do to make that dream a reality. He held her away and examined her eyes, looking for something that might tell him what she was thinking. If he only knew.
The thing was, Adam loved kids. She saw it in the way he interacted with Ben and with his nieces and his cousin’s kids. He was a born father, and the image of him holding a baby had her letting out a sigh.
“Are you going to tell me what’s running through your head?”
Mia grinned up at him. “Nothing to tell.”
He knew exactly how to get to her, of course; he leaned in and whispered in her ear. His warm breath caressed her skin as his fingers threaded through her hair.
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll get it out of you later.”
Another sigh. She had no control where he was concerned. Now, looking into the blue of his eyes, Mia could tell she’d gotten to him as well. He may not have said it, but it was all over his face.
Adam loved her. And that was the best birthday present of all.
He loved her with her big boobs and round butt. He loved her despite her crazy family. And he loved her son. He didn’t have to say it because right there, plain as day, the emotion was on his face.
“Hey,” he said. “You look a little dreamy. Are you okay?”
“It’s okay. It’s really okay.” She went up on her toes and kissed his cheek, lingering there for a second because she could. “It’s kind of perfect, actually.”
When his fingers brushed the hair away from her face and lingered on her cheek, Mia saw everything come to the surface. And when his breath caught, she knew for sure.
“Mia,” he whispered. His lips grazed her temple. “Mia, I—I…”
“Shhh.” Mia laid and index finger on his lips. “I know. We’ll talk later.”
He nodded before leaning in to kiss her. And as Adam nibbled her lips, Mia thought what a miracle this was. Three months ago, she was alone, wondering if she would ever feel this way about another person, and here he was loving her back.
There was such tenderness when he kissed her, Mia reached out and let her hands settle on his biceps. She could feel the hard muscle through the fabric of his dress shirt, feel the power he was holding back to be gentle with her. He always thought of her.
“We’d better go,” he said. “Or we’re going to miss our reservation.”
Mia nodded and as if on cue, they stepped back from each other. But Adam reached out and took her hand in his.
When they walked downstairs, hand in hand, Mia watched the different reactions. Her grandmother and her uncle smiled, and so did both her aunts. Her mother still looked irritated, but it was Ben’s reaction she most wanted to see—and what happened made her birthday perfect. Ben didn’t react at all. He didn’t flinch, didn’t think anything was the least bit out of the ordinary. In his eyes, she and Adam were together.
“Are we going? I’m starved.” Ben hobbled toward her and this, once again, confirmed for her that Adam was right for her.
He was right for both of them.
*
“Wow,” Mia said, scanning the packed parking lot. “It’s crowded tonight.”
Adam kept his smile in check because it was true. Sal’s was more crowded than usual, and the reason it was so busy was because he’d filled the place for her birthday.
And he was really hoping she liked surprises.
The Mercedes fit neatly in a nice, close spot, and once they got out of the car, they waited for everyone else to arrive. When the group gathered, Adam let her family move in front of them. He wanted Mia to have the full effect of the crowd when she walked in. There should be at a least forty people there, and he couldn’t wait to see her face.
In addition to that, he couldn’t wait to see her mother’s face.
The scenes he’d witnessed with her mother today showed Adam exactly what Mia was battling. And it sucked.
In his life, Adam had screwed up more times than he could count. He’d ruined his career, let down his teammates, and embarrassed his family. Never once did he doubt their love and support of him.
Here was Mia… smart, talented, and selfless, and her mother treated her like a disappointment. He had no idea how this was possible.
Over the past few months, Adam had learned a lot about the kind of person he wanted to be, and he attributed that to Mia and Ben. Because of them, he found the best part of himself, and his goal now was to make sure he didn’t screw it up.
Her hand was securely in his as they walked in the door behind her uncle and aunt and her two cousins. Mia’s family may not have been as unwieldy as his, but not counting her mother, she had some good people in her corner.
A few weeks ago, he talked to his grandmother about the DeAngelis and Lang families. They ran in different circles, but Mia’s grandparents were well liked in town. Her grandfather had run the Cove Community Bank for forty years and was a friend to many people. Janet, his grandmother and Lina Rinaldi had been friends for as long as he could remember.
Reaching back, Adam remembered going to the bank with his father and making a beeline for the lollypops that were kept in a decorative wooden box on the bank floor. He distinctly remembered one day when a tall man in a shirt and tie filled the box when he found it was empty.
Adam thought he might have been five at the time. The man squatted down, shook his hand, and let him take two lollipops from the box.
After that day, every time Adam went to the bank with his father, he walked to the big desk and said hello to the man who had given him the lollipops. Grandma told him last week the banker was more than likely Tom Lang, Mia’s grandfather.
It was like fate made the connections for them. He had her grandmother for history, and his family endowed the professorship that brought her to Compass Cove. She had family here, ties to the area, and she fit in. From the day she arrived, Mia wove herself into the fabric of the town, and that wasn’t going to change.
He held the door to Sal’s and Mia smiled. There was nothing better in his mind than to be on the receiving end of one of Mia’s smiles. She was still looking at him when they entered the restaurant, and it took a bit for her to respond to the cheers and calls of “Surprise!” But when she did, the shock on her face was worth every bit of planning.
“Oh, my God.” Her voice was barely audible as she looked in his eyes. “What did you do?”
“Are you surprised, Mom?” Ben was beaming at her, proud of what he and Adam had accomplished. She reached out an arm and pulled him close. The restaurant was packed, full of noisy people who were surrounding Mia with good wishes. True to form, she was tearing up.
Adam stepped back and let her enjoy the attention. It wasn’t something he craved or needed anymore. Lord knew, he’d had more than enough when he was playing pro to last a lifetime. Now he was content to let other people have the spotlight. Especially people who deserved it.
Mia’s excitement was so much fun to watch, it took a second to notice that Mrs. Lang and his own grandmother were standing next to him.
“I’ve never seen her so happy,” her grandmother said. “Thank you, Adam.”
“Don’t thank me. I like making her happy.”
His grandmother leaned in and kissed his cheek. “We know, and that’s what’s making Mia glow like she is. She knows too.”
Adam hoped she did.
*
Mia went from person to person and thanked them for coming. She was totally overwhelmed by the number of people there. These were her friends, and she’d only been there a short time. Compass Cove really was her place.
She caught sight of Adam talking to Ben, and something in the body language put her on alert. It looked serious for a second, and then Adam’s face broke into the wide smile she loved so much. Savory smells filled the air as people munched on appetizers and drank wine. Kids sat together and goofed around, and Mia went to the man who made it all possible for her.
“Hey,” he said. As if on cue, Adam looped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. Comfort and warmth. And love.
“If my mother’s looks could kill, you’d be a goner. What happened?”
“I, ah…” He looked at her mom and then back at her. “I kind of told your mother to back off.”
“You what?” He’d taken on the woman some former students called Dr. Evil.
“I want you to relax tonight. Have fun.”
She looped her arms around his neck. It was fun to be able to do that and watch his eyes smolder when she pressed into him. “So you told her to—”
“—to back off.” He finished the sentence and glanced at Mia’s mom, who looked to be in an uncomfortable conversation with Adam’s grandmother. Nice. Grandma would kill Ellen with kindness.
The kiss Mia dropped on his lips was soft and innocent. She didn’t need to do any more to let him know how grateful she was. “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” Adam nuzzled her hair, and Mia thought this had to be the best birthday present ever.
The moment didn’t last. “There’s the birthday girl!”
The voice was booming and Mia swore the whole room stopped when Greg Rhodes entered. He pulled her from Adam into a crushing hug. “How are you, darlin’? Have you missed me?”
Mia extracted herself from his grip and reached for Adam’s hand. “Greg! I had no idea you’d be here.”
“I wouldn’t have missed a chance to see you, beautiful.”
Adam’s grin seemed forced. He pulled Mia closer, and extended a hand to his friend. Some friend. “Weren’t you out west scouting a prospect? I didn’t think you were going to make it.”
“I flew back right after the game. I’ll be in town a few more days, and then I head back to Chicago.”
Mia suppressed a smile as Adam inched even closer. She loved when he was territorial. It was positively primitive, but she didn’t care; it made her feel wanted. She liked being his woman.
“Glad you could make it back. Grab a drink and some food. My family is in the other room.”
Greg winked and Mia let out a laugh as soon as he was out of earshot. Adam cocked his head to the side. “Are you enjoying this?”
“Oh, yes,” Mia said. “If he gets under your skin so much, why did you invite him?”
“Because while he may be an asshole, for a long time he was like a brother to me.”
“Okay. Stay close when he’s around, though. He gives me the creeps.”
“Will do.” He kissed her again. Mia felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up to see her Aunt Regina standing next to her. Her face was drawn, worried.
“Your mother isn’t feeling well. I’m taking her home.”
It was like being slapped, but she wasn’t surprised. She understood if her mother was uncomfortable. She even understood if her Mom was angry at Adam, but she couldn’t, for the life of her, understand how her mother could justify leaving. “Really?”
She put her hand on her shoulder, because Mia couldn’t cover up the hurt. “I know, honey. I’m sorry.”
“Alright, I guess I shouldn’t have expected any more from her.”
“Mia, for once it’s not what you think.”
“But it’s always something, and it’s always about her.”
Unexpectedly, her aunt hugged her. Aunt Reg was an engineer by profession, who had taught a generation of students. A steady, straightforward woman, overt displays of affection were not her style. She found herself softening as her aunt tightened her arms around her.
“I know this hurts,” she said.
Mia hugged her aunt, feeling her warmth and strength. The slights didn’t bring tears anymore, but the burn went straight to her heart. She sniffled and her aunt’s hand patted her on the back.
“You wear your heart on your sleeve, you always have.”
“Is that bad?”
“No, it’s who you are. This is who she is, and you’re very different.”
Mia stepped back, but Aunt Regina didn’t let go. She was a kind person. Lovely and sweet, as well as fiercely loyal. “She needs to leave, Mia. She’ll tell you why when you get home later.”
“Okay.” Mia kissed her cheek and as she turned to walk away, Aunt Reg stopped her.
“I know your mom won’t agree with me, but I think Adam is a good man.”
“Very good.” Mia took a step back toward her aunt. “I think Daddy would have liked him.”
“I think you’re right. Your dad would have admired that he stood up for you. That he didn’t care what your mom thought about him, that he only cared about protecting you.” At this point her aunt’s voice trembled—almost imperceptibly, but it was there.
“Auntie?”
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, sweet girl. Someone who would stand up for you. Be there for you and for Ben. I didn’t have that, and your mother never truly appreciated your dad. I’m glad you have someone, Mia.”
“Thank you.”
Her aunt nodded, kissed the top of her head. “You’ve done an amazing job with your life, Mia. Made good choices. I’m proud of you. So, so proud of you, and I know your father was proud of you, too.”
“Proud of me?”
“Yes, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I should have. We all should have. See you at home.”
It took her a few seconds to recover, because her words left her stunned.
Fiona stepped up beside her and looked at the door. “I saw your mother leave.”
“My aunt was just making my mother’s excuses.”
“What did she say?”
“That it’s not what I think.”
“It’s never what you think.”
Mia looked at her friend. Ever since Mia transferred to Maryland to finish her bachelor’s, Fiona had been part of her life. They’d gone through graduate school together, struggled to find jobs at the same time, and helped each other with more family issues than she could count. At times, it had felt like she and Fiona had the lock on crazy mothers. Hers was cold and distant, Fiona’s was overprotective and meddling. There was no happy medium. But Mia’s aunt had surprised her, and given her something to think about. Something she’d never expected.
“She told me that she’s proud of me. That she knew my dad would be too.”
Fiona’s face froze. “She did?”
Mia nodded. “That I’ve made good choices. She really likes Adam.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“So, what about Ellen?” Fiona had taken to calling Mia’s mother by her given name, while Mia’s name for Fiona’s was “Mother Gallagher”.
“Adam told her to stop dumping on me. I don’t think that went well.”
Fiona passed Mia the glass of wine she was holding and Mia accepted it, taking a drink of the ruby colored liquid.
“My boyfriend went to head-to-head with my mother. Stuck up for me.”
Fiona took the wine back and finished what was in the glass. “I think that sounds like a good day.”
Mia looked at her. “It does, doesn’t it?”
“Yup, I also think we need more wine to celebrate.” Fiona pointed Mia in the direction of the bar.
Mia agreed. “Let’s go find a bottle of Chianti and some chocolate.”
Fiona laughed and Mia felt the smile break across her own face. It was a good day.
*
“We are not making out in the car.” Mia smiled against Adam’s mouth as they sat in his car outside her house.
“Why not? It’s dark. No one will see.” He pulled her close and let his hand slip under her coat.
Mia made a little sound in her throat and wondered if he would ever stop having this effect on her. Did she want him to? He kissed her soft and slow and there was no way to resist him, no way to hold onto her control when he touched her. And she loved it.
She loved him.
Her heart was so full she didn’t know how it didn’t burst. Adam’s hand stroked her cheek and his eyes shone in the dim light from the house. Everyone she cared about had been with her tonight. They were there to celebrate her birthday, but for Mia it was more about celebrating a change in her life. About being happy.
“I’d better go inside. I do have to talk to my mother.”
“Want me to come with you?”
“No, I’ll be fine. I’ll call you before I go to bed.”
He kissed her again and nodded. “Okay. Probably better to let her calm down.”
“It doesn’t matter, she’s never going to forgive you.”
“I’m charming. Sure, she will.”
“She eats charming for lunch.”
Adam laughed and his strength sank into Mia, gave her all the courage she might need to face her mother.
He walked her to the door like a true gentleman and kissed her once more under the porch light. His kiss was strong, passionate, and had a little bit of desperation laced through it. If Mia understood anything, it was that he was just as scared as she was. Scared to try. Scared to fail. Scared of what this could mean.
But in the end, the risk was small compared to the payoff. To feel like this; to feel so content, so happy, was worth so much. And to have this man, who had given her this… there was no measure for that.