Mia Found (Starting Fires Book 3) by Makenzie Smith Page A

It’s okay. Are you off now?”
    “ Yeah, just pulling out of the office. Can I see you?”
    “ Now?”
    He chuckled. “If that’s okay.”
    “ Yeah,” I said. “Yeah. That’s wonderful. Perfect.”
    “ Okay. Be there in a few.”
    Immediately, I jumped from the bed and began getting ready.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
     
    WHEN I HEARD THE knock on my front door, I bolted out of my room, smiling and racing to meet him. But Fontenot made it first. He held the door open, taking up the entire space and not letting Paul through.
    “ Uh, is Mia here?” I heard Paul ask.
    “ Who wants to know?”
    “ Oh, lay off,” I told Fontenot, pushing him out of the way. My scowl instantly melted when I looked at Paul. “Come in,” I said, grabbing his hand.
    He came, but eyed Fontenot warily. Fontenot wasn’t helping either, giving him a good go to hell look. “Sorry about him,” I told Paul, not caring that Fontenot heard me. “I don’t know why he’s here anyway.”
    It occurred to me then that this might look bad—a strange tattooed man and me all alone in my small apartment. “He’s dating Fiona,” I clarified.
    Fontenot laughed. “I ain’t dating shit.”
    “ Well you’re…you’re…”
    “ What?” He smiled. “Fuck buddies? Say it, Sweet Mia. Or is that pretty little mouth still too pure.”
    Wanting to grab my things and leave, I refused to respond and pulled Paul towards my room, but Paul hesitated.
    “ Have we met?” he asked Fontenot.
    “ Don’t think so,” Fontenot replied. “Wait…Yeah. I think we have. Sort of. You came up to the shop one day when I was visiting Mia.”
    Oh my God. He wasn’t visiting me! “An uninvited visitation,” I said. “Now come on, Paul. Let’s go.”
    He walked with me to my room, but kept looking over his shoulder, watching Fontenot. I’d have to explain him to Paul. Fontenot couldn’t help it, chaos and pain followed him everywhere he went.
    Once my bag was in hand, I led him back through the apartment and didn’t bother saying goodbye as we walked out the door.
    “ It was nice meeting you!” Fontenot yelled down from the landing.
    “ You, too,” Paul said.
    In his car, Paul looked over at me, a question hanging on his lips, but he wasn’t sure how to ask it, or if he even should. So he didn’t think I was hiding anything from him, I went for the truth. Unfiltered.
    “ Fontenot and I dated when I was eighteen. It lasted for a year, but he took my virginity and then left. Just like that.” I snapped my fingers. “One night I slept with him and then he disappeared. No reason. No excuse. He was just gone. A few months later he came back and tried to get me to date him again, but Lucas wouldn’t let him anywhere near me. I’m grateful for that. It was a long time ago, and I’m over it. I don’t look at him that way. I don’t want him. But I see him occasionally and now he’s dating Fiona.”
    Paul was still, his hand frozen on the ignition, the key not even turned. “Why are you telling me all this?” he asked.
    I shrugged. “People like to talk. I thought it might be better hearing it from me.”
    He nodded thoughtfully, and started the car. As he pulled out of the complex, he took a deep breath. “My ex-girlfriend, Marjorie, left me for my brother right after Valentine’s Day last year. Now they’re getting married. I was in love with her. I’d even bought her a ring, but hadn’t told anyone. I tried to pretend it didn’t bother me, but, in truth, it killed me.”
    So that was why he had her picture hidden away. Even though the mystery was solved, my heart still gave a jealous pump.
    “ Are you still in love with her?” I asked.
    His smile was small, but amused. “No,” he said. “I’m not. Not for a long time.”
    “ That’s good,” I said. “Really good.” My delight was obvious, and Paul chuckled as he took my hand.
    “ Work was awful,” he said. “It’s so good to be off.”
    “ Is there anything you wanna do? I’m okay