6. Mia

CHAPTER 6

Mia

T he store is busy. Besides me and Ellis, we have a third employee here today, Paloma, a high school student who only works during her school breaks. Mom is even here running the register so I can handle the bike and rock-climbing equipment rentals.

I've forgotten how insane Base Camp can be to run. But as the day passes, I'm quickly reminded. Before I left town, I was the manager of the store. Back then we didn't have the rental portion of the business.

Years ago, Dad had explained it all to me and I'd told him I thought it was a good idea. I helped him choose the software and did some of the programming. But now that I'm here and have the responsibility of the store, it's a huge headache. There's gotta be an easier way.

Except my heavily distracted brain can't seem to come up with any ideas right now. Because all it can think about is that kiss Jones and I shared on the trail.

It never should've happened. I shouldn't have allowed it. But when his lips touched mine, a spark ignited and traveled all the way to my toes. It was like all those old feelings had been roused to life again. I spent the last eight years trying to get over Jones, and all it took to demolish it was a single kiss.

Now my head is so messed up. There's no undoing what was done. I can't take back the kiss. The only thing I can do is put distance between us. Besides planning Bikes and Beers, we can't be together. I'm not sure what I was thinking, once you've been lovers, there's no going back to friends.

Especially when our definition of lovers was more than that. We were one another's person. We were each other's forever. We were soul mates.

Now we're nothing.

"Mia? Mia? Shit, Mia?" Paloma calls, I'm not even sure how many times before I shake myself free from this hold my memories have on me.

"Hey, sorry. What's wrong?"

Paloma lifts one dark brow and purses her lips. "There's a group of rock climbers who have decided to buy their own equipment and cancel their rentals."

"Okay, great." Automatically, my brain signals that this will mean more of a profit for Base Camp. But Paloma is still standing here with her hand on her jutted hip staring me down. "What's the problem?"

"I don't know how to do that. Your dad never let me handle the reservations."

"Okay, what about Ellis?"

She shakes her head. "Your mom said to ask you to take care of it."

I release a long sigh. "Fine. But remind me to train you both. I'm only here for the summer."

"You might as well get that tattooed on your forehead," a growly voice sounds out behind me and a tingle spreads through me.

Pinching my eyes shut, I try to get my bearings before turning around. "Hey," I exhale, trying hard to not look at him.

"Sorry, this is my fault. The rock-climbing group is mine."

I finally do look at him. "Yours?"

"Yeah, I volunteer with this program in Denver for teen boys who are being raised by single moms." He rubs at the back of his neck. "We had the reservations. But after doing the math, I figured if I pay for their equipment it will pay for itself after one and a half times renting, so I might as well."

"That can't be right." I glance down at the tablet in my hand as a few boys approach. "This is for eight rentals."

He shrugs. "Close enough."

I tilt my head, and when he winks at me, goosebumps trickle across my arms.

One of the boys who looks to be about sixteen bumps his shoulder into Jones's. "Aren't ya gonna introduce us to your friend?"

Jones grins, shaking his head. "This is Mia Cappella. Her dad owns this place."

"It's nice to meet you," the boy says with a smile. He pushes onto his tiptoe and leans close to Jones to try whispering in his ear, "She's hot."

Hooking his arm around the boy's neck, Jones chuckles. "Hell yeah, she's hot. And much too old for you."

"Maybe she likes younger guys," the boy declares while he struggles to break free from Jones's hold.

"Sorry, buddy, but I prefer older guys." My eyes lock with Jones's without intention. But we don't hold contact long, my guess is, it's too painful for the both of us.

"We'll let you work your magic. Sorry for causing trouble," Jones says as he adjusts the ballcap on his head. "C'mon, guys, let's let the lady get this sorted out."

He walks away with his arm around the young boy and my heart leaps from my chest. It's sweet seeing this side of Jones. But it's also gutting me at the same time. It was easier to hear that Jones was a fuck-up. That made the image of Jones as a father less appealing. Like maybe, somehow, I wouldn't regret all that happened between us.

But I think there's no way this situation gets easier. Because not even eight years and two thousand miles can ease the pain. All it does is delay it.

The bell above the door rings when I push it open and step inside Martin's Hardware announcing me in a way I wish it hadn't. Cammie rushes from the back room holding two large boxes in her arms and peeking around them.

"Hey," she greets, a little breathless.

"Let me help you." I scramble to reach for a box before she drops both of them.

She blows out a breath and sets her on the front counter. "Thanks."

"You guys been busy today?" I ask, searching the inside of the store and too many feelings suddenly assault me.

I've been in this store more times than I can count. Regardless of the changes made over the years, it still feels the same. I imagine Mr. Martin will come bounding around the corner any second. Or Jones will be assisting an older gentleman with a tool they can't quite get the hang of.

"We were earlier. So now I'm just trying to restock the shelves." She takes the box from me and sets it alongside the other one. "But I know you didn't come here to talk about the store."

My attention shifts to the floor and I chew on my lip.

"You okay?" she asks, her voice softer now.

I nod but when I lift my gaze to hers, I can't help but allow the emotions to set free. My heart thunders in my chest and tears burn my eyes in the corners.

"Oh, sweetie," Cammie whispers and wastes no time bringing me in for a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"Me too," I sob, holding her tight.

She rubs my back. "You don't have anything to be sorry for."

"I should've told you. I should've told everyone." I finally pull back and wipe my tears off my cheeks.

But Cammie wills me to make eye contact with her. "Hey, no. That's not true. You don't owe anyone an explanation. That was your business. No one else's."

I shake my head and my chin wobbles.

"But I'm not gonna lie, I wish you would've told me. Or I wish Jones had told me. I feel like such a shitty sister and friend."

"Please don't."

"I could've been there for you both." Cammie purses her lips. "I would've been there for you." She reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze before letting go.

"I know." I give her a weak smile. "I wish I had been strong enough to tell you."

"Are you kidding?" She shakes her head. "What you went through, and how you handled it, and starting your life over, that was strong."

Her words are consoling and reassuring. Though my heart still hurts from the regret. My shoulders still ache from carrying the weight of my secret around for so many years.

"Thank you," I whisper. "I don't feel strong."

She looks at me with determination. "Then you've come to the right place. I'm going to work my damnest to make sure you believe you're strong. By the end of summer, you're gonna be a whole new girl." She smiles wide at me.

Camille and her sunny disposition. She sure hasn't changed over the years. It's a miracle losing her mom didn't make her jaded. I'm relieved she's the same.

Around the corner, an older version of Jones bobs his head out. The years have been good to Mr. Martin. Besides his hair is mostly grey, he still looks the same as I remember.

A wide goofy grin spreads on his face when he sees me, but there's something like unease that shadows the smile. "Mia." He rushes toward the front of the store where I'm standing and when he reaches me, he wraps me up in a big hug. "Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes."

"Hey, Mr. Martin," my words muffle into the softness of the flannel covering his chest. "It's good to see you."

"It's great to see you too, dear." He can't hide the sentiment in his voice.

He knows.

As much as I try to hold in my emotions, my eyes tear up once again. It all feels like too much. My loss. His.

I never expected to come into Martin's Hardware and not see Mrs. Martin and her bright smile.

I sniff. "I should get going."

He clears his throat when he pulls back. "Happy to have you home."

Home. The way he says it makes me believe it's true. Not only that Maple Ridge is home, but the hardware store, and the Martin family.

"Okay. But be sure to stop by and say hi once in a while. You're always welcome here." His smile is less pained this time.

I nod and take a few steps backward as the awareness of everything causes the room to feel stangnant. "Thank you." I wave to Cammie and mouth thanks .

"Let's go visit Rosie and get coffee this week," she suggests.

"I'd like that." I smile and push out the door, gulping in a deep breath of warm mountain air.