Mia hadn’t been expecting that. “Your father invested in my company?” Had Matt mentioned that? She wasn’t sure he’d said more than her uncle and his father were friends. Mia hadn’t made the connection that Atticus was an investor.
“It’s what he does. Plays the stock market and invests in companies and properties he believes in. So I knew you’d have good taste even before I saw what you did at April and Drew’s.”
“Okay.” Not that it made any difference but she was glad she knew.
Arlo untangled himself from Hilary and went and poured himself a cup of coffee. “I like how you used most of our own stuff to decorate. Putting things in groups makes a heck of a lot of difference. So does decluttering the space.”
“It does, doesn’t it. It’s all about perspective for me.” That was how her mom had described it when Mia first started rearranging furnishings at a young age. “I like to see things that complement each other grouped together but at the same time, don’t look too staged.”
“You should stay on the island and start a shop. Sell some of the lovely things I know you can make. I mean, more of those picture frames would go over really well and you could include some ready-made stuff too. You’d do well here. Wouldn’t she, Hilary? Plenty of homes being renovated to keep you busy. And tourists galore.”
“The thought had crossed my mind but I have commitments I can’t walk away from. This break has been wonderful but I don’t know how I’d manage if I was away from the city full time.”
Hilary grinned. “I told you so, Arlo. Now we just have to convince her that this is the place to be.” She turned to Mia. “I was worried too, at first, but I spent weekends here for a few months before I gave up my apartment, just to make sure I could do it and I love it. Best move I’ve made.”
“It’s a bit different. You have Arlo.” She wished she had the time for a relationship but her work schedule didn’t allow for it no matter how much she tried to convince herself otherwise. Up until now, she hadn’t thought she was missing too much. Her life was full and she was content. Or was she?
Arlo offered them coffee. After he poured it, they all walked outside and sat at the table. “I really wish you would give it serious thought, Mia. Pretty sure you could make it work with the way the world does business these days. Commuting is easy with the ferry too. The island folk would love to have someone like you living here. You could open a shop and do contract work. People would gladly pay for your skills.”
“And you’d have a friend who understands the change from city to island life. I could help you adjust.” Hilary winked. “Not that I could help you as much as Matt could, but just saying.”
She’d thought about it too. Lying in bed listening to the crash of the waves on the shore, Mia had let her mind wander and imagined living on the island. Being around Matt had made her rethink her crazy lifestyle. But it wasn’t that simple. Not when she had so many people relying on her. No one starts a massive company like she had and walks away from it due to a case of the holiday bug. At least she didn’t, as tempting as it might be to investigate that idea further. “Matt’s a nice guy, but he’s serious about his business too.”
Arlo laughed. “You’re both too blind to see what’s in front of you.” He shook his head.
“You’re not being very delicate, Arlo.” Hilary shooed him away. Coffee mug in hand, he walked off down the jetty, leaving them alone. “Sorry. Guys have no idea about relationships sometimes.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and focused on Mia, making her feel as though she was under the spotlight.
“We don’t have a relationship. I’m a guest at his B&B. We’re both just getting along because we have no choice.” Although if she drilled down and thought about it, it was more than that. She didn’t believe for a moment that he walked hand in hand with guests, or kissed them. At least she hoped he didn’t.
“But don’t you want one? Especially with someone as cute and nice as Matt?”
She shrugged, hoping she could lie without blushing and giving herself away. Matt was special and she couldn’t ask for someone better to have a relationship with but Mia didn’t want to put herself out there because her life was crazy. She didn’t want to lead anyone on—certainly not someone as nice as Matt. It wasn’t her style. “Maybe. Yes. One day when I’m not so busy, probably.”
“Listen to you. I feel sorry for you, Mia Morgan, if that’s your way of thinking. Life is short. You never know when it will end. It’s like those people who save all their money so they can take a trip around the world when they retire and drop dead the day they leave work. Bam! Gone! Too late.”
“I think you’re being a little bit dramatic.”
Hilary leaned forward. “No, I’m not. I’ve been there. Lost everything, had to start again. I know how quickly things can get ripped away from you. Don’t wait for that to happen, Mia. If there’s even the tiniest spark between you and Matt, go for it. Fan that little sucker into a raging fire and make the most of it. Because we never know if we’re going to wake up tomorrow, and that’s a sad thought if you haven’t made the most of today.”
Chapter 11
Hilary’s words kept Mia awake most of the night. They were still ringing in her head the next morning when she pulled on her running shoes and met Matt outside the kitchen door for their morning run. They were also the words that rang through her head when Atticus Hope
