Mia laughed and then squealed as she walked out the door and downstairs to her room. When Matt heard her door slam, he made his way downstairs to his own room. She hadn’t protested about the kiss! Admittedly it wasn’t on the lips, but as a testing-out-how-she’d-react kiss, he felt it was well received. Matt wanted to do a hip wiggle but restrained himself to a cheesy grin instead.
Matt showered and dressed in casual jeans and a sweater, and grabbed a beanie as Mia came down the stairs. She’d wound a bright red scarf around her neck as she walked into the kitchen.
“Ready?” He put his cell in his back pocket, made sure he had his wallet and opened the back door for her.
“Sure am. I’ve worked up an appetite today, which is really unlike me.” She followed him out the door and around the back of the house. “Not used to so much exercise and fresh air.”
Matt took her hand as they crossed over and walked down the path to the wharf. “That’s the thing about living over here. The sea air makes you want to get out and do things. I think I’d be stifled in the city, always having to battle the traffic and fight for car space. Over here you don’t have the smog or the congestion. Such an easier way of life.”
Mia swung their hands but didn’t pull away from him. “It is. I’m actually liking it more and more. I didn’t realize how stressed out I was. Silly really, because I wasn’t living a good life.” She took a deep breath and laughed. “Out here I can actually feel the energy in the breeze instead of exhaust fumes.”
“You should think about spending more time on the island then. Nobody said you have to go back to the kind of work schedule you left behind, you know.”
She paused and stared at him, her eyes lighting up. “Are you saying I should spend more time with you, Matt?”
He slipped his arm around her back and pulled her close. “If that’s what you want, then yes, I am.”
Her eyes widened and her lips parted as a soft ‘oh’ escaped her mouth. A glimmer of hope rose in his chest. Should he risk a full-on kiss this soon? Was she ready to take things to the next level?
He dipped his head and gently took her lips with his. Mia’s eyes fluttered closed.
Matt allowed himself one sweep of his tongue over her lips before he pulled back. “But only if that’s what you want.”
“I’ll be sure to give it some thought.” Color flushed her cheeks. “Now how about dinner? I’m starving.” She pulled his hand and they started walking again.
Some thought? What the heck did that mean? But didn’t she just give him the impression she was into him? Mixed signals confused the crap out of him. How was he supposed to take that comment?
Chapter 9
On Saturday afternoon, a heavily pregnant woman welcomed Mia and Matt into the house. “Welcome. You must be the decorating whiz named Mia I’ve heard so much about.’
Mia winced. This family was keen to discuss her but she didn’t really mind. They were all so nice. “Not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but yes, that would be me.” She handed over the baby gift she’d made and stood back next to Matt, worried about how her offering would be received. She’d found some old toys in the boxes in the garage and asked Matt if she could use the antique teething ring, an old china and silver rattle, and a tin spinning top with dents that showed how well loved it once was. She’d put them in a cane basket she’d whitewashed and added some bright orange bunting to hang around the room. In between the toys, Mia had placed a couple of white washcloths, a bath towel, and a bottle of organic baby wash she’d found in the gift shop.
“Oh, you shouldn’t have.” April’s face lit up as she took the basket and carried it inside. Matt and Mia followed and the three were greeted by Gigi and Atticus. “Look what Mia made for me.”
Atticus glanced at the basket and came over for a closer look. “Hang on, I recognize some of those items. Isn’t that the teething ring that used to belong to Drew?”
Gigi had come to stand beside him. “That’s the rattle I sent for Aggie when she was born.” She smiled wistfully. “Where did you find them, Mia?”
Mia was having second thoughts about using them now and second guessing her instinct. What if everyone was annoyed that she’d helped herself to family heirlooms? Would they think she was overstepping the boundaries? “They were in the attic when Matt and I cleaned it out. He said it would be okay if I cleaned them up and used them in a gift basket for April’s baby.”
April wrapped her arms around Mia and held her tight. She sniffed and gave Mia an extra little squeeze before letting her go. “That is so sweet of you. You’re so clever to think of using something that belonged to the family. I’ll treasure them; I promise.” Gigi handed April a tissue and she dabbed her eyes and laughed. “Don’t mind me. I’m an emotional wreck right now. I can’t wait for this baby to make its appearance. Things might get back to normal.”
Drew snorted his disbelief. “I highly doubt that, my dear wife. Matt.” He came over and slapped his brother on the shoulder and looked at Mia. “So this is the woman you’ve been hiding out with?”
Matt frowned and gave his brother a fake punch to the arm. “Idiot. We’ve been working, if you must know. Mia, this is Drew, the oldest brother and biggest pain-in-the-butt. Drew, Mia.”
Just working? Interesting turn of phrase. Maybe that was the best way to keep things because she wasn’t here for the long haul.
Drew shook her hand. “What’s this I heard about you using
