It was late when she finally got into bed, but her floatplane didn’t leave until ten o’clock. This was her last night at the Bluebell Inn. It was bittersweet. She’d entered this room full of self-pity about the non-honeymoon. But after only a week she could honestly say she was glad Wesley had broken their engagement. Something had been missing.
She gave a wry laugh. Yeah, like love. He’d just been a user, riding on the coattails of her success. As soon as he’d scored a big role he hadn’t needed her anymore.
She waited for the ache of regret, but it never came. Hmm. She must be getting over him.
Mia rolled over in bed, thinking again of Levi and the good conversations they’d had tonight. It seemed easy, opening up to him. Maybe because he was a temporary fixture in her life. Someone she would say good-bye to tomorrow. Her throat went tight at the thought.
How had she gotten attached to him in only a week? She was usually slow to let her guard down. Maybe just knowing the relationship was temporary had led to her being less careful. It was probably best she was leaving now before any real damage could be done.
But the punch in her heart made her realize that she’d already done some real damage. Levi was an extraordinary guy. If he lived in LA she could see the relationship developing into so much more.
But he didn’t. He was determined to make a go of this inn, and when he was finished here, he had his life waiting for him in Denver. There was no future with Levi.
Yes, it was definitely best that she was leaving.
The vibration of her phone woke Mia some time later. She grabbed it and winced at the bright screen. Nolan was calling.
“Hello?” she croaked.
“Hey, Mia, did I catch you at a bad time?”
“It’s after midnight here. I’m in bed.”
“Sorry about that. But I thought you’d want to hear the latest.”
“I hope they didn’t make my injury into something more than it is. They probably already have me and Emma in a catfight over Jax.”
“Not at all. In fact, the narrative has completely changed, Mia. All they’re talking about now is the guy you were with tonight.”
Now she was awake. She sat up on her elbow. “You mean Levi?”
“There’s no name, just photos of you and him.”
“He’s the innkeeper here. He escorted me to the restaurant last night. What do you mean the narrative has changed?”
“Everybody’s wondering who your new boyfriend is. More importantly, they’re wondering how Jax’s statement can be true if you’re secretly seeing someone else.”
“But he’s just the innkeeper. For all they know he’s my bodyguard.”
“Uh-uh. Perception is everything, remember? Have you seen the photos?”
“Um, no. Because you always tell me not to look.”
He chuckled. “I’ll send you a couple.”
“What are you laughing about?”
“Just take a look at the photos. And Mia... you should probably stay put for a while. Let’s keep this narrative going as long as we can.”
“You think?”
“I know. Get some rest, kiddo. I’ll touch base with you again tomorrow.”
“Wait, what do you mean, ‘keep the narrative going’?”
But he was already gone.
Mia ended the call and lay back against the pillow. Was Nolan right? Were things swinging the other way just because of a few photos of her and Levi?
