Mia smiled. “That’s good. I’m glad.”
“So, honey. Have you made a decision about your shop?”
Mia stared at Matt, who was busy crisping up the bacon for their breakfast. “Yes. I’m going to take Atticus’s offer and lease the shop on the back street if he approves of me doing some renovations. I’m not convinced about the television shows yet, although they’re very tempting. The offers are there, but I haven’t signed a contract. I’m still thinking about that. I don’t have to make a decision any time soon, though.”
Ryan threw his arms around her shoulders and hugged her. “I’m so happy to hear it. It’ll do you a world of good to get away from Seattle. Have a life for a change. You can stay with me when I find a place.”
Mia had the feeling that if she stayed with her uncle, she might be cramping his style. From what she’d seen, he was very taken with Gigi. The first time Mia had seen them together, the spark between them was apparent. “We’ll see. I think the shop has accommodations over it, although I’m not sure yet what it will take to fix it up. It’s under investigation.”
“I can’t wait to see it.” He rubbed his hands together. “It’ll be good to see you building something again.”
The more she thought about it, the more she agreed with him. “I’m looking forward to it. Matt’s going to go down and have a look at the building with me after breakfast, if you want to join us. That’s if you don’t already have plans for today?”
If she didn’t know better, she’d say her uncle’s cheeks turned pink. “Gigi is picking me up later. There are a few cottages I want to see and she’s offered to be my guide. It’s time I found myself a permanent home. Not that living here at the B&B has been a hardship; Matt has looked after me very well. But now that I’ve made the decision, I need to start making plans of my own.”
“So you’re really selling the condo? You don’t want to hold onto it for an investment?” Mia sat back as Matt put a plate in front of her. “Thanks, Matt.”
“Same for you, Ryan?” asked Matt.
Her uncle gave Matt the thumbs up. “I spoke to the realtor during the week. He has interested buyers on his books looking for an investment property like mine. It shouldn’t take long to sell in this market and to be honest, I have enough money set aside for my future. I want to be able to pay cash for a house on the island.”
“Wow, you really are going ahead full steam.”
Later that morning, Mia opened the door to the shop and walked inside with Matt close on her heels. She explained what she wanted to do and waited for him to reply.
He wandered around the shop. “I like it a lot. Honestly, if you set up a business here, I can guarantee you’ll be run off your feet. People love your style already. You have a huge following, even here on the island. You have the kind of knack for design that I’d kill for.”
“Thank you. It means a lot to me.”
He wandered around the space, peering out the back window and tapping on the brick wall with a smile on his face. “So, put a door or an archway in here to get to the next two shops?”
“Yep. That’s the idea.” Mia could see it already. If she kept the bricks how they were, added whitewashed shelves, and laid a new floor, the space would be perfect.
“Pretty sure Dad won’t mind.”
She was counting on it. The other available space on the island wasn’t as big or as appealing to Mia as this space. Plus the small attic apartment over the middle shop would do for her to live in. “I’ll make him an offer today and then I can sort out the finer details. I have merchandise to buy and an apartment to pack up. I’m still not sure whether I should sell my Seattle condo or lease it out. The family house is already leased, so I don’t have to worry about that one.” She walked over to the wall and leaned back against it, watching Matt. “The board is dealing with the sale of the business so I can walk away now if I want to. I just need to clear out my office and show the new people the ropes.”
The smile that curved his lips made her warm inside. It was going to be hard seeing Matt around and not being able to have him. But she’d chosen her path and it was up to her to follow it.
She pushed off the wall and spun around the dusty shop, taking it all in. “I don’t believe I’m actually doing it. I honestly didn’t ever think Ryan would retire and lead me to start again.”
Matt laughed as he watched her. “I think he’s realized that his health comes first. When he first mentioned it, I was worried about how you’d react.”
He’d known? She paused and stared at him, shocked. “But you never said anything to me about his plans.”
“No and I’d do the same again. It’s not my business and that’s what I told him. Ryan and my father were discussing it in my kitchen before he told you. I didn’t want to be involved because as far as I’m concerned, your business is just that: yours. I had no intention of trying to sway you either way.”
He really was different from anyone else she’d met. “Even if it meant I’d move here?”
“Of course I want you here, but I wasn’t about to be sneaky to get you. I want what you want, Mia.” He stepped closer. “I want you to be happy. Nothing more or less than that.”
She leaned against him, tears clogging her throat. She wanted him so much
