Page 66 of Making It Up

I hit send and wait for her reply.

Two minutes later, the sad-faced emoji she sends me actually makes my heart squeeze.

I roll my eyes at myself and type in,

it’s a fucking mess out here. Maybe next weekend.

*crying emoji*

Dammit. I know she’s being dramatic on purpose. She probably had already guessed that the party would have to be postponed, but I don’t like the idea that she’s even a little sad.

Which is why I already have an alternate plan for tonight. For her.

Just her.

No one else is invited.

And I want it to be a surprise.

It’s not safe. You can’t light a fire in that muddy mess anyway. And the four-wheelers would get stuck.

But that’s GREAT.

I frown.

What?

There’s this hot game and parks guy who would have to come to my rescue and pull me out if I got stuck. *fire emoji*

I feel my smile even as I shake my head.

I do plan to come to her rescue by saving this night from being a total let-down. But I don’t want to pull her out of the mud.

Game and parks guys can be kind of hardasses about people doing unsafe things.

Right? That protectiveness is so hot. *sweaty face emoji*

I study the message even as I grin. I like flirty Mia. But does she mean that? A little? Does she like my protective side?

That could be a very good thing, considering how big that side is.

Plus, all that growliness is just covering up a soft side.

My brows arch. Is that what she thinks?

Well…she’s right. Where she’s concerned, anyway.

I don’t feel soft for most of the people I’m reprimanding about their conduct, but judging by the setup in my backyard at this very moment, Mia is an exception to that rule.

Maybe he’s being soft on you hoping that will make you more likely to listen to him and follow the rules.

I know that is not at all the case. For one thing, I did not intentionally set out to be soft on her. It just happened. Despite knowing that being soft on Mia and being involved with Mia, getting closer to Mia, liking Mia is complicated.

For another, I don’t think there’s any tricking or even convincing Mia Hansen to do anything. She knows what she’s doing and why at any point. I know that no matter what she’s doing, she’s fully researched everything about it and has resources for the various possible outcomes. My protective instincts toward her have nothing to do with her or how capable she is and have everything to do with me.

Hmm…maybe that’s what it is. I have to admit that I do like listening to him. I hope to have lots more chances.

And that’s not flirty. That’s just sweet.