Page 20 of Midnight Ash

It's dark and cold out, but I'm so angry, I can't feel anything else. Fortunately, there are plenty of logs that need chopping in the barn. A couple of hours of that, and I should feel a little less murderous toward my stepmother.

8

XANDER

"Mia,can I see you for a moment?" I call out to her desk just outside my office.

She comes in and sits on the chair in front of my desk, holding her notebook.

"How can I help? Are we going through this week's manuscripts?"

"Not quite. You don't happen to know why Mark keeps sending me messages to wish me well, and now he's saying he's going to drop by my apartment with soup tonight?"

She bites her lip, and I swear her pink hair just got a little pinker. I sit back on my chair and play with my pen.

"Um, no, I...um...no idea, why?"

"You really have no idea?"

I know she knows because Mark complained about her gatekeeping in one of his messages, and she knows she's been caught because she's looking at her nails, which is her tell.

"Well, there's a chance I may know..."

"Okay...so,hypotheticallyspeaking...why would my ex think I'm not feeling well?

"Hypotheticallyspeaking? He may think you have the flu."

"And why would he think I have the flu?"

"Because I may have told him."

"I see."

She groans and slides down a little on her chair.

"He's been trying to get me to clear your schedule so he can take you out to lunch. He's been quite relentless, so I told him you have the flu. But since he's bypassing me now, I think I need to upgrade your illness."

I laugh. "Upgrade my illness..."

"Yes, I fear your flu has led to an unusual case of excessive flatulence and diarrhea."

I snort. "Well, knowing Mark, he'll stay well clear."

"That's the whole point," she says, raising her arms. "Anyway, why is he so desperate to get some time in with you?"

"Our parents seem to be under the impression we should get back together."

"Oh, hell no, not even over my cold, dead body," she says, and I love that she's so fiercely loyal to me.

"Trust me, I'm even less keen on it. Besides, I’d rather see Ash again."

Her teasing smile is contagious, and I find myself smiling back.

"Between wrapping up work and my parents wanting to see me every other night, I haven't had any free time, but I'd like to take him out." I sigh. "God knows I don't even have time to date right now, but I feel so drawn to him."

"Work has never stopped you from dating before," she says.

"Can you imagine my parents' reaction if they found out? I can only take one battle at a time, Mia."