“You know what, Wyatt?” Mia stopped, her eyes glued to her feet as if she couldn’t meet his stare. “I’m done.”
Wyatt’s breath whooshed out of him all at once when he realized what was about to happen.
“No. Don’t do it, Mia.” he rushed to her and cradled her face in his palms, lifting her gaze to his. “I’m so sorry, please, I’ll do anything, but please...”
Conflicting emotions zapped through her eyes, and for a fleeting few seconds Wyatt allowed himself to believe she had changed her mind, but then she turned her face away, lip trembling.
“Agastopia,” Mia whispered in a shaky voice, and the world around him came crashing down.
Tenderness
Mia
The momentthe word left her mouth Mia was flooded with regret. The silence was so loud she could hear both their hearts breaking in the void that stupid word had created, but she couldn’t take it back.
They stood there, unable to move from the intensity of the emotions between them, when suddenly there was pounding at the door followed by insistent ringing. Wyatt ignored it at first, but whoever was on the other side was adamant that he let them in.
With a single swear word, Wyatt stomped to the door and threw it open.
“Kylie?” He managed to ask right before a chocolate-haired girl stumbled into his arms with heart-wrenching sobs. “Ky, what happened?”
Wyatt wrapped his arms around his sister with such tenderness and fierce protectiveness it caused Mia’s chest to squeeze.
No one ever held her like that, cared for her so intensely, and she’d accepted the simple fact that no one ever would. Every time she allowed herself to believe otherwise the universe proved her a fool.
As quietly as she could, Mia went to the door and picked up her bag, fully intending to slip out unnoticed.
“Wy…” Kylie kept crying into Wyatt’s chest, unable to continue the sentence through her tears.
“Ky, tell me what happened,” Wyatt ordered, panic lacing his voice. “I can’t help if you don’t tell me.”
Kylie’s sobs just increased and, despite herself, Mia turned to look at them, meeting Wyatt’s gaze. It was full of pain and pleading with her to stay, but Mia was determined to leave before Wyatt could convince her otherwise.
“Don’t.” Wyatt took an abrupt step, releasing Kylie and reaching out to Mia.
Kylie jumped with a start and spun to face Mia, her bloodshot cornflower blues widening in horror.
“You weren’t alone,” she turned back to Wyatt. “I’m sorry, Wy, I’ll leave.”
“What? No, nobody is leaving.” Wyatt was practically scolding her, and Kylie’s lips started quivering at his harsh tone.
Mia struggled with her decision for a few seconds before resigning to the fact that Wyatt wouldn’t let her leave so easily and poor, distraught Kylie was going to get caught in the middle.
“It’s okay, you weren’t interrupting.” Mia dropped her bag to the floor and placed a hand on Kylie’s arm. “Wyatt, make some tea.”
“What?” Wyatt stared at Mia with a dumbfounded expression as she herded Kylie to the couch.
“Make. Some. Tea.” Mia repeated slowly.
“Oh.” Wyatt seemed torn between following them or following Mia’s instructions, but in the end, he turned and went to the kitchen.
“Are you okay?” Mia asked when they sat down. “It’s alright if you need to cry some more.”
Kylie sniffled and shook her head, examining Mia with increasing curiosity. “Thank you, but I don’t even know your name.”
“I’m Mia,” Mia answered just as Wyatt walked in with a tray holding three mugs and a kettle, his gaze jumping between Kylie and Mia.
“Kylie.” Kylie offered her hand and Mia shook it, mostly out of politeness.