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My stomach dropped, knowing what this would look like to Ford, to his family.
Like I was running away.
I left my packed bags on the bed, going out to the living room to see my driver talking with Gray and Bryce.
The men turned to look at me, and I saw disappointment in Gray’s features. Surprise in Bryce’s.
“Mia, can I help with your bags?” Zeke offered.
I nodded. “I’ll bring them out to you.” Turning, I went to get my luggage, feeling the men’s eyes on my back. From the other room, I heard Ford calling, “Who’s here?”
Gray hesitated before answering, “It’s Mia’s driver.”
My heart stuttered as I raced to get my bags and bring them back to the living room. I thanked Zeke, who quietly took them out the front door. But once it closed behind him, I was alone with Gray and Bryce.
“I need to talk with Ford,” I said, brushing by them to the kitchen.
Ford looked hurt, and Fletcher looked like he wished he could fade into the pebbled wallpaper.
Ford was the first to speak. “Did you call the car before or after I got hurt?”
“It’s not...” I began to defend myself. But midsentence, I realized it didn’t really matter. He’d hardly spoken a word to me since he got injured, cast me aside when all I wanted was to help. I lifted my chin. “I have work matters to attend to in Dallas.”
He pressed his lips together, nodding slowly. “I wanted you to leave anyway. Just go.”
I heard Bryce suck in a breath. He and Gray must have followed me around the corner.
And even with Ford’s family watching, I wanted to yell and tell him that he already dismissed me. But there was no use arguing or defending myself.Iknew the truth.
So I turned away from Ford and spoke to his dad, fighting to keep my voice from trembling. “Gray, thank you so much foryour hospitality. It meant a lot to be welcomed so warmly by you and your family.”
His gaze was troubled as he dipped his head in acknowledgement.
Then I nodded to Fletcher and Bryce, avoiding eye contact with Ford, and turned to leave this family. This home.
I’d felt so comfortable here just hours before. And now?
The way Ford had treated me tore at my chest, at the fragile petals of love blooming between us. I knew he was going through a tragedy, but I also knew my worth. How someone treated you at their lowest said more than how they treated you at their best. And even if it hurt like hell to hold a boundary with my heart, I also knew I deserved better.
I was halfway down the sidewalk to the car when the front door banged open.
Even knowing Ford was hurt, I couldn’t help but hope it was him chasing after me. Instead, I saw Bryce coming down the sidewalk. “Mia, wait up,” he called.
I paused on the sidewalk, disappointment mingling with worry at what he was going to say, what he must think of me.
He cast my driver a nervous look before facing me. Then he lowered his voice and said, “Don’t let Ford hurt your feelings. He’s just upset. He’ll cool down.”
“I know,” I said. What more was there to say?
Bryce patted my arm gently. “He cares about you. He’s just not good at showing it yet.”
My heart was shattering at each of his words, breaking, because Bryce wanted so badly for his brother to be happy, but I knew I needed more from a partner. I lifted a corner of my lips. “If I had a little brother, you’re the one I’d want.”
He smiled slightly. “You make me sound like a little kid.”
I chuckled. “No, you’re a good man,” I told him. “You’ll apply for an internship one day, right?”
“I will.”