“Hello, Hank. I’m Mia.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mia.”
“So Jenny was right about you.”
“What did she say?”
I know this is going to come off flirtatious even though it’s not my intent, but Mal’s going to want details, and what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t get them? “That you were handsome and large. Are you single?”
“Why the fuck do you care?” a snarl comes from the back where Mark comes out with the old man. My mouth slams shut as I work out what I’m going to say. “I’ve asked you a question, Mia. Explain to me why you’re asking this asshole if he’s single.”
“It’s none of your business. Why don’t you go back to that woman you were with?” I turn on my heel and walk out of the shop, but I don’t get more than a foot before he has his hand on my bicep, flipping me over his shoulder. “Put me down, you asshole.”
“Not going to happen until we get something straight.” He walks me back into the shop. “Office is available, but don’t go christening shit.”
“We won’t,” I hiss. He slams the door and then flips me right side up, setting me on the desk, but then thinks better of it.
“I don’t want your ass on his desk. Now, care to explain yourself?”
“Nicki. I heard she’s back in town and I saw you two talking.”
“Did you hear what I was saying to her?”
“No. It doesn’t matter. I’ve already been compared to her more than once, and I won’t play second fiddle to a brokenhearted man looking for a replacement.”
“First, you’re not second fiddle to anyone. Second, I replaced that woman a long time ago in my heart with my stepmother. Nicki isn’t an ex-girlfriend. She’s my birth giver. I’d call her my mother, but that title is only given to the best of women, and she’s nothing of the sort.”
“Wait, I thought…”
“She’s my stepmother. My father met her after Nicki left, and they had Jenny shortly after becoming a couple. I’d been a mistake that Nicki regretted, but my father has reminded me that I could never have been a mistake to him.”
“I don’t understand it all.”
“When Susie compared you to Nicki, it was a way to remind me that you weren’t from here and that we’d never have a chance together because you’d leave when life got boring. I know I can’t compare to your friends in NYC and your extravagant lifestyle.”
“Extravagant? I live in Rochester, which isn’t anything like the metropolis that the city is. I don’t know what makes you think I’m extravagant. Yes, I dress nice, but no nicer than your sister.”
“Derek told me about your luggage.”
“Snitch. It was a gift from my boss.” His brow furrows in anger. “My boss is my cousin.”
“Shit, I forgot.”
“Anyway, we used to travel a lot for business. It was a Christmas present because he was tired of my old luggage.”
“Oh. Used to travel? You don’t anymore?”
“Not since his accident. I normally work at his home office or in the downtown office.”
“Oh.”
“Look, let’s start over.”
“I have one question…about that single shit…” I press my hand to his lips.
“As much as I wanted to return the jealousy feeling your way, it has nothing to do with me. My besties and I have an addiction to Hallmark Christmas movies, and Mal asked me if there was a hardware store owner here with a small child needing a woman like her.”
“Oh. Yeah.”
“I only met the older man.” I show him the texts, and he laughs hard as hell. “So why don’t you show me why this festival is wonderful and then you take me back to your place, defile me again, tie me up, and make sure I can’t run away.”
“I can ask Hank where the ropes are, but I do have some cuffs.”
“I didn’t mean that way. I recall you mentioning a family of your own.”
“Woman, you can’t say shit like that and expect me to enjoy this festival.”
“Why not?” He takes my hand and presses it firmly against his thick, stiff length. “Okay.”
“Well, you’re just going to have to suffer through it, Sheriff Stone, because I want to rub it in Susie’s face how happy I am to be here.”
“Let’s do it, Mia. By the way, where are your parents and brother?”
“I don’t know, but they’re roaming around here somewhere. My cousins are coming with their families, so we’re going to have a bunch of strangers invading your small town.”
“The more the merrier, as long as you’re here.”
“It’s where I want to be.”
“Thank fuck because I’m serious about keeping you tied to the bed.”
“What the hell?” We nearly collide with Soren. “Keep that shit inside somewhere.”
“What brings you into the hardware store?”
“Looking for you. Franco’s here with the family.”
“Oh. Good. Come on.” We walk out of the hardware store, and Mark gives Hank another glare before leaving. “You know I’m not interested in him.”