Mia smiled. “Deal. Feel better, Dana.”
“Will do. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
She hung up. Stared at the phone.
Jax would be there. That was the important part.
She told herself it would be fine.
* * *
The taxi crunched up the gravel drive just as the sun dipped behind the hills. January in the South of France meant cool, crisp air and sharp evenings, the Mediterranean a deep, restless blue too cold for swimming. But the villa’s infinity pool was heated, steam rising faintly from its surface like a quiet invitation.
Mia stepped out with her small suitcase and breathed in lavender, citrus, and salt air.
Lucas was waiting on the terrace steps—dark sweater over a long-sleeve tee, jeans, bare feet despite the chill. He smiled—small, real—and came down to meet her.
“Hey,” he said, voice soft. “You made it.”
“I made it.” She let him take her bag, felt the brush of his fingers against hers. “Place looks even better in person.”
He glanced around. “Yeah. Quiet this time of year. Perfect for… decompressing.”
Mia nodded. “Where’s Jax?”
Lucas hesitated—just a fraction too long. “About that.”
He led her inside, set her bag by the stairs. Took a breath.
“Jax bailed,” he said. “Last minute. Said the waves are pumping on the Gold Coast and he ‘can’t drag himself away from paradise.’ His words. Sent me a photo of him on a board at sunrisewith a stupid grin and ‘Sorry mate—nature calls.’”
Mia stared at him. “So… it’s just us?”
The villa suddenly felt much larger. And much quieter.
“Just us,” he repeated.
He picked up her suitcase again. “Come on. I’ll show you to your room.”
He led her up the wide stone staircase, past framed black-and-white photos of old races and family holidays. The guest room was at the end of the hall—high ceilings, white linens, French doors opening to a small balcony overlooking the pool and sea. The air inside was cool, faintly scented with lavender from a small vase on the dresser.
Lucas set her bag down by the bed. “This one’s yours. Best view in the house. Bathroom’s through there—fresh towels, extra blankets if the nights get chilly. I put a heater in the wardrobe just in case.”
Mia looked around, then at him. “You thought of everything.”
He shrugged, a little sheepish. “Wanted you to feel comfortable.”
She gave a small smile. “Thank you.”
He lingered in the doorway for a second, then nodded. “I’ll be downstairs if you need anything. Take your time.”
When the door closed softly behind him, Mia sank onto the edge of the bed. She pulled out her phone and texted Dana.
Mia:Just got here. Jax cancelled. It’s just me and Lucas.
Dana: Well fuck. Now you two can just fuck each other’s brains out without interruptions. No Jax cockblocking, no me third-wheeling. Go wild.
