Page 38 of Bad Habit
Mia
Are you checking my location? I’m so proud of you!
AJ
Go inside.
Mia
You’re hot when you’re bossy.
AJ
Don’t be weird.
Mia
Love you!
My phone starts vibrating and I smile at the name on the screen. My favorite person is calling.
“Hey Gigi!” My grandmother is probably the brightest and kindest soul on the planet, making it impossible to not love her. Although my mother does her best to try, she fails. Gigi is radiant in everything shedoes and people feel honored to even walk on the same floor as her. I don’t know why my parents try so hard to discredit everything she built by building bigger.
“How’s my favorite granddaughter?” Her melodic voice always settles me.
“I’m your only granddaughter.”
“Accurate point, dear. How is my favorite girl?” I can feel the smile through her words.
“About to go work on a remodel project actually.” Gigi was the only one to ever encourage my chaotic hunger to create new things, until I started working at West Haven. Every person in my life has always quieted my ideas or dismissed them. Now I am surrounded by people who listen. Eddie never tells me no. I think because AJ never tells me no. And the guys, as much trouble as they like to pretend to cause, are always down to help me. I fit in here, more than I have anywhere else.
“How lovely! What are the plans?” Her interest is all genuine. She taught me how to do a lot of things. Remodeling being one of them. She also taught me which dress to wear to which event so I will always command attention but also respect. Gigi is the type of woman that defines walking the line in every situation.
“Today it is just a simple kitchen refresh. You should see the house though. It’s absolutely beautiful. The type of home you want to put in a capsule. You canfeelthe love in the walls.” I can’t stop my mind from going back to the night that Oliver brought me back here and how I drug my fingertips along the walls. There is something especially loud about a home that held so much love. This is his mom’s home and there was a weight residing in my chest about making any changes to it. I send him the remodeling ideas mainly just to see how long it takes for me to annoy him. I never thought he would actually want to do it.
“There are so many of those homes that just get forgotten.” She hums. “Is this one in your little hideaway town?” She sounds like she is working. I can hear papers being shuffled.
“I’m not hiding.” I remind her. “They know where I am.” I hate bringing up my parents. “I love it here though.” My eyes find the pictures of me and AJ and Maxwell on my dash. My storm cloud and sunshine.
“Your parents are the densest people I have the misfortune of being surrounded by. It’s exhausting.” A chuckle escapes me at her words. “How are your jobs going? I do wish you wouldn’t overwork yourself. Life is too precious to not enjoy it.” If it was up to my grandmother, I would be traveling the world and experiencing everything possible.
“Says the woman sitting in her office working as we speak. Shouldn’t you be retired?”
“Retiring would leave the assets to your father. I’m not ready to do that. I can still do good work.” I can hear her huff on the other end. “Don’t ignore my questions. I miss you, the least you can do is oblige my request for updates.” I can hear the squeak in her old leather chair that has sat in her office since I can remember. She refuses to replace it because she said that it’s seen her through every big moment in her career.
“Coffee shop is going great. I barely work there to be honest. I enjoy learning the latte art though and testing out new flavors.” Last week I learned how to make a group of flowers and I got so excited I spilled it over the rim of the cup.
“A rose chai latte would be wonderful right now…” She interrupts softly.
“I’ll make sure to bring you some of your favorite chai leaves the next time I come visit.” I promise her. She likes the tea leaves from this very small shop in town.
“Which will be soon, don’t you dare think about not coming to our birthday gala.” I can hear the warning in her voice. We have done a shared birthday event for the past few years and she always goes all out. Fullblack tie event, decorated with the most breathtaking art with all bids going to a charity of each of our choosing.
“What's the theme this year?”
“Bleeding heart.” She says proudly. “Imagine all the different shades of red and black.” Red has always been her favorite color. Naturally it became mine as well. “How is the marketing and management job you love so much? What’s the name of the place?”
“West Haven.” I smile just thinking about the West men and how easy it is for them to create a safe place for everyone who walks through that door. “It’s perfect. Eddie really gives me all the creative freedom I ask for. AJ never doubts me. And the triplets…” I squeeze my eyes shut to try and not give anything away to her. She would smell it a mile away that I had a crush on one of the brothers. She was the one that pointed out my crush on Adam growing up. I never told her why he and I split up, it would break her heart. “The triplets are sweet and supportive.”
