Matt shrugged. “I guess we weren’t meant to be, then.”
Drew shook his head. “Man, you’re so hung up on her. I don’t believe you’re saying this.” He turned his back on Matt and stared at the ocean. “Tell me why.”
“I just don’t think it’s fair to talk her into something she doesn’t want. It’ll come back and bite us in the end and we’ll end up with nothing.” Matt desperately wanted Mia, but if she didn’t come around of her own accord, what was the point? He wasn’t about to railroad her into what he wanted and watch it go badly, because it would. He just knew it.
“Sounds like you’re kidding yourself then. Anything worth having is worth fighting for.”
Matt stood and stretched his arms over his head. “And some things just happen for a reason.”
Drew turned to him. “You’re still caught up on mom dying, aren’t you?” He put the empty bottle down on the table. “Because you had no control over that, you think you don’t have control over any important issue in your life. I’ve watched you, Matt. If something was too hard, you walked away preaching que sera, sera or some such crap. And that is some kind of bullshit excuse for not getting off your lazy ass.”
What a load of rubbish. Drew didn’t know what he was talking about. “No. You’ve got it wrong.”
Drew walked over and poked a finger in his brother’s chest. “Yeah, it is. Think about it for a minute. This babble about things that are meant to be is just a poor excuse for not standing up and going for it. Leaving everything to chance is a dangerous game because you rarely win. Don’t you want her? Like really want her?”
Matt knocked his brother’s hand away. “Don’t be a dick. You know I do.”
“Well, prove it then. Give her the heartfelt speech and tell it like you mean it. The one where you swear you’ll do anything to win her over. Stop being the nice guy all the damned time. Nice guys come last.”
* * *
All the way home, all Matt could think about was what Drew had said. What if someone else came along and stole Mia from under his nose? How would he feel then with her on the island and with someone else? Gutted, that was how.
Mia reached over the center console and rested her hand on his shoulder. “Someone is lost in thought. What’s on your mind, Matt?”
He kept his eyes on the road and chose his words. “Is there someone else you’d like to be with? Someone I don’t know about?”
“How long has that been playing on your mind?”
He shrugged and didn’t answer.
“Matt, there isn’t anyone else. I promise. I just have a lot to deal with right now. Plus the shop is almost ready to open and I have heaps going on right now. I can’t offer more than what we already have. It’s not going to work. Believe me.”
He turned to look at her and then focused on the road again. “You won’t let it work. There’s a difference.”
“You’re wrong, Matt. You know why I can’t be with you and you have to accept it.”
“No, I don’t. I want you, Mia, and you can convince yourself all you want that you’re doing the right thing but you’ll never convince me. When you wake up and realize we should be together, I’ll be here. Waiting.”
She sighed and turned to look out the window, her chin held high. Matt had gotten to her. Now it was up to Mia to figure out how she was going to change her way of thinking.
Matt had all the time in the world to wait for her. But would it be time wasted?
Chapter 22
Mia pulled the tape off another box of homewares and stood, rubbing her lower back. She’d spent all day yesterday unpacking and sorting through her deliveries. Two more days and she was opening the shop to the public. She’d even organized a wine and cheese evening to let everyone see what she offered.
A tap on the front door got her attention. Gigi Hope stood with her nose to the glass, wiggling her fingers in greeting. This was the woman who had stolen her uncle’s heart from the moment he’d come to Hope Island.
“Hi, Gigi. Come in.” She held the door open.
Gigi strode in, planted a casual kiss on her cheek and kept on going. She made her way through the archway into the other side of the store before coming back to Mia with a smile on her face. “You have some wonderful stock here. I’m very impressed.”
“Thanks.” Mia dusted off her hands. “I was going to stop for a coffee. Care to join me?”
Gigi grinned and nodded. “Lead the way.”
They headed up the central staircase to the apartment upstairs. “Excuse the mess. I
haven’t really had much time to sort this out yet. I’ll get to it eventually.” She grabbed two mugs and the coffee pot off hot plate and poured each of them some coffee. “Downstairs is taking all my time right now. So much more to do before opening night.”
“This is a lovely space, Mia. So much light.” She moved around the small apartment, touching items that Mia had casually deposited around the room.
“Eventually I’ll use it as display area. That’s if the business takes off and I end up renting or buying a cottage.”
Gigi tilted her head and looked at her. “So you’re thinking long term?” She laughed. “I guess you must be since you’re setting up shop.”
She’d made the right decision and the more Mia got comfortable on the island, the more she knew it. “Ryan is the only family I have left. Of course I want to be where he is. So long as I don’t get in his way, that is.”
“You’re a sweet girl, Mia. Ryan is an interesting character and we get on well. He adores you and I can see why.”
“Thank you. It’s nice of
