“I see.”
Mia swallowed. “Who did you speak to?”
“I assumed it was you,” said the woman. “You identified yourself.”
The room seemed to contract around her. Her grip tightened on the phone. That detail landed like a punch.
“And…” Mia asked, though she already knew. Her voice sounded distant to her own ears.
“We moved forward with someone else,” the woman said. “Given the time, we couldn’t risk another change.”
Of course not.
“I understand,” Mia said, the words automatic.
“I’m sorry,” the woman continued. “Your food came highly recommended. Perhaps another time.”
“Of course,” Mia replied. “Thank you for letting me know.”
They disconnected.
Mia lowered the phone slowly and set it on the counter. Her heart was beating too fast. For a moment, she just stood there, staring at nothing. The kitchen felt too quiet. Too exposed.
She hadn’t canceled.
She hadn’t overbooked.
And she hadn’t made that call.
Which meant someone had spoken for her. Someone who knew her business well enough to sound believable.
A chill slid through her.
“This isn’t a coincidence,” she whispered.
The thought scared her. And just as quickly, she turned back to the counter. She couldn’t afford to stop now.
CHAPTER 37
When Joy calledand asked Mia if she had any plans Saturday night, she could honestly say no. Her event had been canceled, and Caleb was away for the night on Brotherhood business. Sure, she could stay home with her dad. But he usually watched TV and went to bed early. That would leave the night stretching longer than she liked.
“Well, we’ll pick you up at eight.”
“What?”
“Eight, don’t be late,” Joy teased. “And wear something snappy.”
Snappy? What the heck did that mean?
“Why?”
“Karaoke,” Joy said. “We’re letting our hair down. Forgetting about the world for an evening. You in?”
Mia hesitated. Was she? The week had been a series of highs and lows. Mostly lows. What she really wanted was to feel normal again. Connected. A night out with the girls sounded like fun. Something she’d been missing.
“Yeah,” she said finally. “I’m in.”
Not long after she hung up, a car pulled into the driveway. Mia peeked out. Autumn, with her camera bag slung over her shoulder and a smile on her face.
