“Because you love her.”
I glance at Tori, and our gazes hold for a few seconds. “Yeah. I do. And you want to know the craziest part?”
“Of course I do. I’m here for all the drama.”
“Part of me doesn’t even care about all this stuff, because I just want to be with Mia. Which is insane. I’ve worked so hard to get to this point.”
“And yet you hate this point.”
Ididsay that, didn’t I?
“Look, Austin. I don’t know what you should do about Fusion. But Mia’s perfect for you. I’m no love expert, but evenjudging by how your voices blend, the two of you are meant to be. I think you should tell her your concerns about getting into business with Fusion, though.”
“How? I’ll sound salty and jealous. It’s how I sounded when I warned her against Noah. I don’t want to be the one to bring her down from the high she’s on.”
“Would you rather leave that honor to Fusion once she’s already locked into a contract like you are?”
I meet her gaze. She’s right.
“She deserves to go in with her eyes wide open, Aus.”
I sigh. “I know.”
Tori slips down from the statue. “Also, I think you should marry her.”
I chuckle. “Hey, Mia, I don’t think you should take that contract, but do you want to enter into a forever contract with me?”
Tori squints. “You’ve been practicing, haven’t you?” Her expression sobers up a bit. “It’ll all work out. I know it will.”
“I wish I knew that,” I mutter. “Thanks for the chat.”
“You can pay me later. I’m off to spot Will and Kate.” She waves, and I watch until I lose her in the crowd of tourists.
I wasn’t lying to her. I want to be with Mia. All the time. I left her at the hotel forhersake as much as mine. I didn’t want to overshadow her victory with my mood and my problems and my anger. But Tori’s right. Mia should have the full picture before making a choice about Fusion.
I siton the edge of the small fountain in the Italian Gardens, people watching. Only, I’m just watching for one person.
Kensington Gardens provide a much calmer atmosphere than Trafalgar Square. I should’ve come here from the get-go. Mia and I won’t have much time together before we have to head tothe venue, but I wanted to talk to her before the craziness of the rest of the day takes over.
I see overalls before I see Mia’s face, and my heart smiles. I feel better just seeing her. Not everything is wrong with life. I don’t relish this conversation, but I do relish any time with Mia.
As she nears, she smiles, but there’s hesitation in it, probably because of how I left things at the hotel.
“Hey,” she says, taking a seat beside me. “How’re you doing?”
“Better.”
“Good.” She reaches into her bag. “I brought you a Meal Deal.” She hands me a triangular box with a sandwich inside, a bag of chips, and a drink. “The first of many peace offerings.”
I set them next to me on the stone rim of the fountain and face her.
She grimaces. “You don’t like cheddar ploughman sandwiches.”
“I’ve never tried one. It looks delicious.”
Her eyes flit to the sandwich, sitting forgotten next to me. “You’re not hungry, then.”
“Starving.”
