Saving Ever After (Ever After #4) by Stephanie Hoffman McManus

to hear me smiling.
    “You’re pathetic,” she
laughed. “I just called to tell you my flight made it and I checked into my
hotel.”
    I looked at my watch
doing the math and figuring that it was three in the afternoon in California.
“What do you have planned for the rest of the day?” I asked her.
    “I’m meeting the people
in charge of the shoot for dinner, so I’ll probably grab a shower and maybe a
quick nap before then, but I won’t be out late. I have an early morning, and
the shoot will likely go all day tomorrow and Sunday. I’ll try to call you when
I have breaks, but don’t worry if you don’t hear from me. Chances are, I’ll be
passed out in my room from exhaustion.”
    “Nice try, I know you’ll
spend the whole weekend lounging around in the sun by the pool. You’re not
fooling me,” I teased her.
    “I wish.”
    I laughed. “Well don’t
work too hard, get a little sunshine while you’re there and have fun trying to
keep a bunch of models in line,” I told her.
    She groaned, “Thanks.”
    “I’ll see you when you
get back on Monday, babe.”
    “I’m serious about the
video games, Chris.”
    “What was that? Couldn’t
hear you very well, are you going through a tunnel?”
    “Very funny. I’ll talk
to you tomorrow.”
    I ended the call
grinning, and picked my controller back up. This time when I had my target
lined up in my sights, I took the shot and the win.
    Two beers and three
victories later, I heard someone coming in the front door. Ivy immediately
bolted into the entryway, barking her greeting. I wondered if Spade had changed
his mind about joining me for the weekend. He still had his key from before he
moved out, and he was the only person I could think of who would just show up. I
watched the doorway of the living room, waiting for him to appear, and was
surprised when it was Mia’s much smaller frame that stepped into view. She saw
me and froze.
    “Oh, sorry for just
letting myself in, I didn’t realize anyone would be here,” she said.
    “I live here,” I
reminded her.
    “Sadie told me you live
with your girlfriend,” she said, almost defensively. I hadn’t seen Mia since
the night of the engagement party, and I could tell she wasn’t thrilled to see
me here.
    “I stay there
occasionally, but she’s out of town for the weekend and I’m taking care of Ivy
while Ace and your sister are gone. What about you? What are you doing here if
you thought everyone was going to be gone?” I eyed the small suitcase sitting
beside her. She obviously meant to stay, but why? What did she have planned,
and better question, did I even really want to know?
    “Sadie gave me a key a
while ago and said I was welcome whenever,” she explained, avoiding answering
my question.
    “I didn’t ask how you
got in, Mia. I have no doubt your sister gave you a key. I asked why you’re
here, instead of at your dorm.”
    “Oh, well I just wanted
to get away for the weekend. I have a couple tests coming up and thought this
would be a good, quiet place to study without distraction. If you want me to
go, I can.” I wasn’t sure if I bought her excuse, but she looked so crestfallen
at the idea of having to leave.
    “No, your sister said
you’re welcome here and you are. Make yourself at home,” I sighed, thinking
about the turn my weekend had just taken. Having Mia here meant no walking
around the house in my boxers, and I doubted she would appreciate me blasting
my music and monopolizing the Tv with my video games. I was also rethinking
stocking the fridge full of beer. The last thing she needed was any temptation
and I didn’t want to deal with another drunken Mia.
    “Okay, then I guess I’ll
go take my stuff to one of the guest rooms.” She moved toward the back of the
house and I noticed she only had the one small bag with her. It didn’t look
like it could hold much more than a few items of clothing, which meant it was
doubtful that she had any text books or even a computer in