22. Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Mia

I wake up in his bed and he is nowhere to be found. I think about how he touched me last night, how he kissed me, and bring the sheets up to my face as a smile spreads across my face.

I throw on my t-shirt and walk downstairs to grab a cup of coffee. I figured Eric got up early to work in his office, but much to my surprise, I walk into the kitchen and he is making breakfast…in his boxer briefs.

It’s quite the sight to behold.

“What’s happening in here?” I ask.

He turns around and breaks into a big grin. “Morning, beautiful. I thought I would cook you some breakfast then head into the barn and start working on your swing.”

“Wow. You’re making me breakfast?” I sit down and he pours me a cup of coffee then moves back to the skillet.

“Now, no judging. I can’t make fancy pancakes or anything special. It’s just eggs, bacon, and toast.”

I smile. “Sometimes the classics are the best.”

He gets the food on the plates and places them on the island.

“Thank you,” I tell him as I grab a fork. “I don’t think a man has ever cooked me breakfast before.”

“Really?” he asks as his forehead lifts in surprise.

I shrug. “I guess once you show someone that you know how to cook, you just get assigned that task from then on.”

“I don’t see how that’s fair. So, what time is Layla picking you up today?”

“She said nine.” I look over at the clock on the microwave. “I guess I don’t have much time.”

I wish I could spend more time eating breakfast with him, but I need to run upstairs and get ready. I lean in for a kiss and thank him again before darting upstairs.

On my way up, I realize I’m embarking into dangerous territory with Eric. Going to his parents for dinner, being vulnerable with him, and giving small kisses to each other. I’m setting myself up for heartbreak.

We get to the bridal shop and her mom is already there beaming with excitement.

She kisses me on the cheek. “Mia, I’m so happy you could join us. It’ll be such a fun girl’s day out.”

“I’m so happy you guys are letting me be a part of this.”

“Hello, is this the Williams group?” a blonde woman, who looks to be in her fifties, greets us in a black blazer and pants.

“It is. I’m Layla.”

“Ah, the beautiful bride. Congratulations. My name is Madelyn. We have your private area set up in the back. You all can follow me.”

She brings us to the back where there is a cream couch for me and Stella to sit. There is a fitting stand surrounded by mirrors with lights surrounding it as well as a private changing area off to the right.

“Okay, so the first thing I want to do is get an idea of what you like,” Madelyn says. “Then I will pull some dresses for you to try.”

Layla goes through what she thinks she wants in her dress while Stella and I listen. When Madelyn leaves to go pull some dresses, we are served champagne.

“Cheers,” I say as I raise my glass. “To Layla getting her happily-ever-after. No one deserves it more.”

“Aw, you’re too sweet. I’m so lucky. I can’t believe I’m marrying the first man I ever loved.”

“We’re thrilled that Josh will be part of the family,” Stella says as she pats Layla’s leg.

I take a sip of the cool champagne, the bubbles fizz and pop like soft fireworks in my mouth. For a moment, I picture what it would be like to be a part of their family, to marry Eric, and my heart flutters with excitement.

I don’t know where it comes from, but it stops me in my tracks. I’m perfectly happy living my life in Cleveland. That’s where my family is. Never once did I consider moving away. But would I do it for somebody I love? My brother Marcus did it to be with his wife Lexi. He now lives in Chicago with her. She needed to be close to her sick mother, and he moved to be with her without looking back.

This is crazy. Eric wants nothing to do with a relationship. He has been clear about that.

But things between us have changed. It feels like he’s changed. He smiles and laughs now. When I’m with him, it’s like his shoulders are relaxed, and he isn’t constantly on edge.

“So, how has living with Eric been?” Layla asks, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Oh, it’s been good. Not really much to report. Just kind of laying low.”

Layla looks at her mother and they both smile.

“What?” I ask suspiciously.

“I don’t know. Eric has been different. He smiled like ten times at dinner last night,” Layla says.

“And he is awfully protective of you. Installing all of those security cameras and motion detectors,” Stella adds before taking a sip of her champagne.

I can feel my cheeks heat at their words. I touch my face, wondering how obvious it is.

Stella smiles. “You don’t need to be embarrassed, honey. We think it’s great.”

“I don’t,” I start but get cut off.

“Okay. Here we go,” Madelyn says as she walks in holding up several dresses. “I’m going to hang these right here on this rack. You tell me which one you want to start with.”

Layla puts down her drink and nearly leaps off of her seat.

The rest of the afternoon we spend sipping on champagne while oohing and ahhing over how beautiful Layla looks in each dress. Being the decisive business owner that she is, she was able to nail it down and pick her favorite one with ease.

It was one of those moments when they dim the lights and add accessories like a veil and heels. All of a sudden, it’s real and emotions bubble up.

It was beautiful to watch Stella and Layla cry over the perfect dress. I feel honored to have been part of the moment.

But I can’t stop thinking about what they said to me earlier. How Eric seems happier and protective of me. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t noticed it myself, but it’s dangerous to live in those thoughts for too long. It will only lead to my heart being broken, which I’m pretty sure is something that is inevitable at this point.