“Maybe another day,” Mia said quietly. She shifted the bouquet in her arms, hugging it closer to her chest. “Even if I don’t like coming here, this is my big-girl job now. I have to be responsible and come every day for as long as I work here.”
Harold’s smile faded. He frowned slightly, studying her face.
“When are you going back home?” he asked gently. “Are you and Alexander done fighting yet?”
Mia didn’t answer.
Her fingers tightened slowly around the flower stems, the paper crinkling softly under her grip. Her gaze slid away, fixing on the pavement instead of his face. The air between them went still.
Harold noticed.
He released her shoulder and stepped in front of her, blocking her line of sight so she had no choice but to look at him. He took both of her hands in his, his touch warm.
“I don’t know what happened between you and Alexander,” he said softly. “But no matter what… I’ll always be your friend.”
His thumbs brushed lightly over her knuckles.
“If you need anything—anything at all—just tell me. I’ll help.” Then he leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “And if you want to do something without Alexander finding out…” He winked playfully. “I’m very good at keeping secrets.”
Mia let out a small laugh despite herself.
Seeing her smile, Harold relaxed. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. His hand patted her back gently.
“Don’t worry,” he murmured. “Everything’s going to be all right. Soon, you won’t have to worry at all.”
Mia’s shoulders finally loosened.
She rested her chin lightly against his shoulder and hugged him back, breathing in deeply. The exhaustion from the day—the tension, the unease—seemed to melt away inside his comforting hold.
“Thank you, Harold,” she whispered. “You’re a really good friend.”
Harold didn’t reply. He just kept patting her back in a calm, steady rhythm.
Neither of them noticed the car parked across the street.
Inside the driver’s seat, James sat motionless.
Chapter 10 The Wedding Arrangements
His eyes were locked on Mia.
Unblinking. Burning.
He watched Harold’s arm around her shoulders. Watched him pull her closer. Watched her relax—lean into him.
The moment Harold hugged her tighter, Alexander’s hand clenched violently around the steering wheel.
Pain exploded in his chest.
His breath caught sharply as a searing ache spread outward, tightening until it felt like something was crushing him from the inside. His other hand flew to his chest instinctively, fingers digging into his coat as his breathing turned uneven, ragged—rage tangling with something far worse.
He shut his eyes for a brief second.
The pain intensified.
When he opened them again, Mia was still there—still wrapped in another man’s arms.
The ache sharpened.
