Page 107 of Devious Love

My heart thuds against my sternum. “Is it true that Mia’s failing her classes?”

Cup in hand, he leans back. “She’d kill me if she knew I was talking to you about this.”

I angle closer, hands braced on the table. “Is it true?”

Slowly, he nods. Fucking hell. My stomach drops, and my chest gets so tight, it’s hard to breathe.

“Mia’s one of the strongest people I know,” he says. “She’s doing her best, but she’s drowning, and she’s too stubborn to ask for help. She doesn’t want anyone to know she’s struggling, and her mom constantly breathing down her neck doesn’t help.” He scratches his cheek. “For some reason, she thinks she has to prove something to her, to us—hell, maybe to herself. Like she needs us all to believe she can do it all on her own. But it’s breaking her.”

I take my cup from the table, press it to my lips, and lower it again. “Do you think it’s because of me?”

He tilts his head, assessing me in silence, his expression even. “No,” he finally says, “but I think you’re her biggest weakness. She’ll do anything for you…because she loves you.”

Her biggest weakness. My heart cracks right down the middle, and the thoughts that plagued me after my disastrous birthday dinner resurface.

If not for me, Monica would leave her alone.

If not for me, Mia wouldn’t need to draw designs for the shop.

If not for me, she’d have more time to focus on her grades.

Her words about the internship come to mind, hitting me like a punch to the gut. She turned it down, citing several reasons—one of which was me.

I’ve tried and tried, but no matter what I do, I can’t convince her to slow down. That leaves only one way…

“Dominic?”

I shoo away my troubling thoughts and focus on Jeff.

Frowning, he searches my face. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for talking to me.” I stand.

“If you think pushing her away will improve her grades, think again,” he tells me. “She won’t give up on you.”

I know. That’s why I have to betray her in a way she won’t forgive.

I toss a few bills onto the table and meet his gaze. “She will.”

I continue driving aimlessly,wishing I hadn’t read her text.

Mia:

Miss you so much I’ll be at your place at 8

What I’m about to do will guarantee she never misses me again. I’m disgusted with myself, but it’s the only way. The weight on my chest presses deeper, making it hard to breathe as I stop the car in front of the familiar building. When the door opens and Remi steps outside, I worry I’ll be sick.

Fuck. I’m right on time.

I climb out of the car and round the hood. “Hey.”

She hasn’t changed in the months since she took that photo of me and Mia in the shop. She’s dressed to impress, like always, wearing jeans, a red sweater, a black leather jacket, and black ankle boots. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen each other since she came to the shop to apologize, but it’s the first time I don’t look away.

“Hi.” Eyebrows knitted together, she bites her bottom lip. “I was surprised to get your text, and honestly, I didn’t think you’d actually show up.”

“And yet, here I am.” I put on a smile I don’t feel at all. “You look great.”

She tucks her red curls behind her ear, smiling seductively. “Thanks.” She looks me over and steps closer. “Decided to grow your hair out?”