Page 80 of Not So Fast
“Aren’t you already in his world? Mia, I was there that dayfor the Monaco race. There were dozens of people attending, all because they value your opinion of the sport. You have a place in his world and, more importantly, you’ve earned it. All on your own. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t belong there.”
“What if I’m telling myself those things?”
Her mom arched both eyebrows and tilted her head to the side. “Then I think that means that you’re scared.”
“You’re right. I am scared.” It was such a relief to simply admit it.
“Sticking to one thing has always made you nervous, honey. And you’re always second-guessing yourself. But don’t let something silly stand between you and love and whatever you want to do.”
Mia would need some time to mull over that little bit of wisdom, but the timer buzzed in the kitchen.
Mia hopped up from her seat. “That should be the pork. Ready to eat?”
“I am. It smells wonderful. It smells like home.”
Mia turned to her mom. “Good. That’s exactly what I was going for.”
Sixteen
How do you express love? How do you prefer to receive it?
Honestly, I’m a dramatic gesture kind of guy. Today will be evidence of that. As for receiving it, if it’s coming from Mia, I’ll take whatever she has to give, however she wants to give it. (And no, I’m not going into any detail about that. At all.) Now that I’ve gotten comfortable writing in this journal, I realize giving it to me was an expression of love from her, even if she might not have known it at the time. She turned around my thinking. And my heart. And my whole life, really. Because of that, I only want the best for her. I have the sense she won’t be truly happy without a purpose that feeds her soul.
As soon as Xander got off the plane in Austin, he had a text from Freya.
Not that you want my advice, but if you mess things up with Mia, I will never forgive you. Dad told me everything.
Of course. His dad had never been good at keeping a secret.
Thanks for your input.
Not that I couldn’t figure it out after dinner at the house. And Silverstone. And The Daily Reflection.
Good job being perceptive.
I’m serious. You were different when you were home the last few times. You were nice again. We all love nice Xander.
I’ll do my best. Also, please tell me if I’m not being nice. Being in love shouldn’t be the only condition under which I behave.
In love???? (Dad didn’t mention that, but I had a feeling.)
Xander smiled at his phone. He knew there would be no denying it with Freya. She would dig and dig and dig until she got it out of him.
Yes. Don’t turn it into a whole thing.
It’s already a thing. For me at least.
Xander was about to tuck his phone into his pocket when he decided to check one thing. He scrolled down to his message chain with Mia and opened it. It wasn’t the first time he’d looked. He’d checked yesterday and he could’ve sworn he saw the three dots, but then they disappeared. Was she wanting to reach out? Trying to say something? He exited the message app and tucked his phone into his pocket. Despite the uncertainty of what was ahead, he was closer to an answer on that front. And he had to prepare himself for anything.
He picked up a rental car and made a quick stop at his hotel to drop his bag so he could move on to his surprise. The thing was, Mia didn’t know he was coming into Austin today. She thought he was comingtomorrow. He was nearly back across the lobby when Isabel strolled in through the automatic doors.
She swiped off her sunglasses. “Xander. What are you doing here? I thought you were flying in tomorrow.”
“Change of plans.” He knew it was time to come fully clean about Mia. “Do you have a minute to talk?”
Isabel glanced at her phone, then shrugged. “Sure.”
The pair walked off to the far side of the lobby, where chairs sat partially obscured by a potted palm. “I’m here a day early because I’m going to see Mia. She’s doing a meet-up with her listeners. And a live broadcast of her podcast. I’m planning on surprising her.”
