Page 51 of Most Likely to Deny Love (Yearbook #2)

JACK

I kissed Mia softly, then lowered her feet gently to the floor. Once we were both dressed, I brushed my thumb across her flushed cheek.

“Hungry?”

Mia hesitated, her eyes still slumberous but a hint of tension creeping back into her shoulders. “I’m not sure. I feel a little sick, actually.”

“How about I make something, and you can decide if you want it?”

“Okay,” she agreed softly.

I led her through the house to the kitchen, where she slid onto one of the high stools at the counter and dropped her purse and phone on top. Pickles immediately got up from his bed, moving to her side and resting his head onto her lap.

“So, what’s on the menu?” she asked, gently pulling on Pickles’ ears.

I could tell she was trying to keep it light, but the tight set of her jaw gave her away.

Her phone vibrated and she glanced at the screen, her eyes widening a little as it flashed “Mom.” She let it ring out, dragging in a breath of relief when it stopped.

Wanting to give her a little space, I opened the refrigerator, scanning its contents. “How does an omelet sound? I’ve got cheese, mushrooms, bell peppers.”

“Perfect.”

I pulled out ingredients, keeping one eye on Mia as I cracked eggs into a bowl. Her phone buzzed again and she stared at it like it might explode, but made no move to answer.

Another buzz. A text this time. Then another.

Mia’s face grew paler with each notification, her fingers twisting together in her lap. Pickles whined softly, pressing closer to her.

I stopped mixing the eggs to look at her directly. “You okay?”

“Fine,” she said automatically, though her voice wavered. The phone lit up again, “Aunt Monica” flashing across the screen this time.

I turned the burner on, pouring oil into the pan before starting to chop vegetables. Mia’s phone continued bleeping relentlessly, and I watched her grow more agitated with each notification. Her teeth worried at her lower lip, her breathing becoming shallower.

“They’re not going to stop, are they?” she finally whispered, as a text from her stepfather appeared.

“Probably not.” I sprinkled cheese into the pan, watching it begin to melt. “Not until they wear you down.”

Her shoulders slumped. “Maybe I overreacted. I mean, it’s Megan’s wedding. It’s supposed to be her special day, and I just?—”

“You just what?” I interrupted, turning to face her fully. “Refused to be emotionally abused for the next four months? Chose to value yourself more than her ‘perfect pictures’?”

Mia blinked at my vehemence, and I realized I was gripping the spatula with unnecessary force. I moderated my tone. “What exactly do you think you did wrong here, Mia?”

She didn’t answer, but her eyes dropped to her phone as it buzzed again. This time, tears welled up, though she fought them back.

That was it. I reached across the counter, holding out my hand. “Give me that.”

“What?” She looked up, confused.

“Your phone. Give it to me.”

She hesitated, then slid it across the counter just as her mother’s name appeared on the screen again. Without hesitation, I swiped to answer, putting it on speaker.

“Hello, Helen.” My voice was calm but steely.

A moment of startled silence, then: “Jack? Why are you answering Mia’s phone? Where is she?”

“Mia’s with me.” I kept my eyes on Mia’s face as I spoke.

“Well, thank goodness she’s with you and not off somewhere alone.” Her tone immediately shifted, becoming syrupy sweet. “Can I speak to her, please?”

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Given the events of this afternoon, I think it’s best that Mia has some time to process everything.”

“She told you?” Was that a little panic creeping in?

“She did.”

“I’m sure you can understand this is a difficult family situation. Mia’s just a bit emotional right now, and we’re only trying to help her.” First panic and now frustration. And maybe a little confusion.

“By telling her she needs to lose weight to be in her sister’s wedding?” I kept my voice level, though my jaw clenched.

“You misunderstand.” Helen’s voice took on a wounded quality. “We all want what’s best for Mia. The wedding photos are forever, and we just want her to look her best. Surely you can understand that? We’re only thinking of her.”

Mia’s eyes clouded with doubt, and I could see Helen’s manipulation beginning to work its familiar magic. Not today.

“What’s best for Mia?” I repeated, letting a hint of ice creep into my tone. “Is it best for her to spend months being told she’s not good enough? To have her own family making her feel like she needs to change who she is?”

“Now that’s not fair,” Helen protested. “We love Mia. We’re just trying to help her be the best version of herself. I’m sure you want that for her too.”

“The best version of herself is exactly who she is right now.” I held Mia’s gaze as I continued. “And she’s made her decision about the wedding. It’s final.”

“Jack, I understand you’re trying to be supportive, but this is really a family matter?—”

“Let me be clear, Helen,” I cut her off.

“I’m the man who respects your daughter exactly as she is.

The one who sees her strength, her intelligence, her beauty, without conditions or qualifications.

And right now, I’m the one making sure she gets the space she needs from people who don’t seem capable of offering her the same basic respect. ”

Helen’s voice hardened slightly. “You don’t know anything about our family?—”

“I know enough.” I kept my voice level despite the anger simmering beneath the surface.

“Now listen?—”

“No, you listen. Mia’s staying with me this weekend. Her phone will be turned off. On Monday, if she chooses to speak with you, that’s her decision. Until then, you and everyone else will give her space.”

“You can’t just?—”

“I can, and I am. Goodbye, Helen.” I ended the call before she could respond, then immediately turned the phone off completely.

Mia stared at me, her expression a complicated mix of shock, gratitude, and something else I couldn’t quite name.

She shook her head slowly, a smile breaking through the tears that had finally spilled over.

She slid off the stool and walked around the counter, right into my arms. I wrapped her in a tight hug, one hand cradling the back of her head as she pressed her face against my chest. “No one’s ever stood up for me like that. ”

“For the record, I meant every word.” I murmured into her hair

She melted against me, her arms winding around my waist as we stood there in the middle of my kitchen. The scent of burning eggs finally registered, and I glanced over to see smoke rising from the neglected pan.

“Shit,” I muttered, reluctantly loosening my hold on Mia to deal with the mess.

I dumped the blackened disaster straight into the trash and dropped the smoking pan into the sink with a clatter, turning back to her with a wry smile.

“So much for that idea. How about we get out of here instead? We could drive down to that café by the lake, get some fresh air. Or I can order something in if you’d rather stay. ”

Mia wiped at her eyes, looking lighter somehow, as if a weight had been lifted. “The lake sounds perfect, actually. I could use some space to breathe.”

I reached for her hand, interlacing our fingers. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”