"I don't know Zoey, it's a bit more, or less I suppose, than my usual style." Mia stared at the dress in the small boutique, as if she could burn it off the mannequin with her eyes. It was truly stunning but being provocative is not what she was used to.
"It's perfect! Tell her Marie. The sage green will make your eyes pop, and with your curves, you would look, killer!" Zoey appeared as if she could jump out of her skin, clapping and smiling with enthusiasm. She reminded her so much of Lilly, Mia couldn't help but feel the same adoration for Zoe.
"I think I'm with Zoey on this one. Darlin' if I was 20-something again, with
that
body, you better believe I'd rock the hell out of that dress." Mia couldn't help but laugh a little at Marie's admission. Getting the feeling she wasn't going to win this battle, Mia gave in a bit easier than she should have.
"Ok you guys win, I'll get the dress."
"You're going to look so hot dancing in this, Jax won't know what to do with himself!" Zoey exclaimed, a little overjoyed at Mia's dismay.
Mia had spent a lot of time with Zoey and Marie over the last few days, to her dismay, Jax had been occupied with work. Nonetheless, it was nice to spend time with other people, she'd come to adore them, they both felt so comforting for her to be around.
"I'm sure he'll have a few ideas." Marie smiled at Mia, causing her cheeks to turn a crimson red.
After picking out a new pair of shoes and some earrings to go with Mia's new dress, the girls headed to get some food. The small sandwich shop was busy with customers for its lunchtime rush, but they were able to snag a seat by the window.
"So, what's it like back in south Florida? Russ never takes me on any of his business trips." Zoe rolled her eyes at her brother's expense. "Says he can't look after me
and
do business, as if I'm some petulant child."
"It's really beautiful, a bit crowded, but the people there can be so amazing. The culture is phenomenal, and the scenery is breathtaking." Mia gushed about her home. "Compared to here it's a whole other world."
"The food there must be incredible. And the shopping? I can't even imagine!" Zoey said.
"Do you think about anything other than shopping girl?" Marie chimed, giving her friend a playful wink.
"Of course I do! Like the beaches, I would wear all my new bikinis too!" Zoe shot back.
"I could spend forever on the beach, just lost in the sand and the waves. I get the same feeling sitting out behind the cabin looking at the mountains though. It truly is a stunning sight."
"I think all forms of nature call to the soul. And if you look close enough you can see the secrets it holds." Marie winked at Mia, as if hinting at some unspoken knowledge.
"Wait until you get to explore the woods. It's like something out of a fairytale." Zoey's eyes blazed and glowed with adoration, the experience of witnessing it for herself was thrilling for Mia.
"I love being in those natural, untouched places of the world. Sometimes, when I'm alone on the shore watching the waves, I feel like something is calling to me." Mia stated.
"Mother nature is a mysterious wonder, she has many gifts to offer those who treat her well." The serious undertone in Marie's voice made it seem as if she had experienced it firsthand.
"That is a wonderful thought Marie, one I wouldn't be surprised were it true." Mia felt like she was trying to tell her something, but she didn't put much thought into it. To her, Marie seemed to be wiser beyond her years.
Whilst in the middle of their conversation, Mia noticed Russ walk past the front of the shop and enter, making his way over to their booth.
"Well don't you three make quite the trio." Russ said with a smile, he then grabbed an empty chair from a nearby table to join the young women.
"Shouldn't you be at the compound? You don't usually leave work until the sun's already gone down." Zoe rolled her eyes with a slight smirk on her face, while teasing her brother.
Russ shrugged his shoulders in mock resignation. "A man does need to eat. Thought a sandwich was in order. Plus, it's inventory day, figured Danny could take the lead on that one."
"How thoughtful," Zoe quipped, laughing at her brother.
"So Mia, how are things up at the cabin?" Russ inquired. Mia glanced at her hands, feeling the strain of the nerves. Even though she could feel Russ was a good guy, she felt relatively comfortable with him, still her anxiety was rearing its ugly head.
"It's great, it's a beautiful home, and the location is amazing." She managed a slight smile.
"Vic built that place for Clara, never seen a woman make such a hard man go soft the way she did him." Russ said.
"You know big brother, if you would stop wasting your time on those drooling airheads, you might be able to find yourself a woman like that with actual substance." Zoe chirped in, giving a playful shove on his shoulder.
"Thanks for the words of wisdom, sis," he said. "I'll take that into consideration." He gave her a shove in return.
"Well, probably time for me to grab my lunch and head back to watch over Danny and them while I enjoy my sandwich." Russ stood from his seat and placed the chair back at the table.
"You're such a jerk." Zoey said.
"Love you too sis! Nice seeing you Mia. Ms. Marie." Russ gave a nod and made his way to the line that had dwindled down to only a handful of people.
Mia turned her attention back to her friends, Zoey was shaking her head at her brother as he walked away.
"I love my brother," she stated, "but I swear he's such an idiot."
"Sometimes we have to love people for who they are hunny." Marie added with a giggle.
"He seems like a good guy." Mia said.
"I said he was an idiot, not an asshole. Though sometimes his choice in women makes me wonder." Zoey was able to pull a laugh from her and Mia.
Mia's phone rang with Lilly's custom ringtone, one that Lilly of course chose herself. Answering the phone trying to stifle her laughter, it came to a stop when she heard Lilly's voice. She was almost certain what this call was going to entail.
"Mia, Marco stopped by again." Lilly's tone was solemn, filled with apologies that weren't hers to make.
The first month was hell after she moved out. Marco was relentless, but at first careful. After he realized Mia wasn't going to answer his calls he started sending texts from different numbers, shifting between begging, and bribing.
He only showed up when Lilly wasn't around, letting her know he was there without causing a scene. Except for the one time Mia foolishly opened the door to try to reason with him to leave her alone. He grabbed her almost instantly and would have pushed her inside had Lilly's neighbor, Derek, not subtly intervened. After the incident, Derek suggested she involve the cops, but Mia insisted it wasn't necessary. Not only did she still harbor a great deal of fear of Marco, but she couldn't fathom putting her aunt through any kind of pain, or taking away what she believed was a perfect life. Marco might have been a monster to her, but he treated Mia's aunt very well. She was such a happy and loving woman, it would completely destroy her. Mia couldn't bear the thought.
"Did you stick to the plan?" Mia tried to say impassive, not wanting to alert Marie and Zoey. She already had a cover story at the ready if they asked any questions.
"I did, I think he's starting to call our bluff. Mia, I know you're not ready to tell me what happened when you finally got out of there, and I'm ok with that, but I do know whatever he did this time, it was bad. I know he's always hurting you, and I know you don't want to hurt your aunt, but what about you? I really think you should get a restraining order." Lilly pleaded.
"That sounds good Lilly, but I'm not sure it will work. Can we discuss the details later? I'm at lunch right now." Mia was desperately trying not to sound distressed, hoping Lilly would understand.
"Fine, sounds like you're caught up right now, but we
are
going to talk about this later. I love you super much." The phone conversation allowed Mia to hear Lilly's concerns.
"Great, love you super much too!" Mia tried hiding her fear, hoping her voice mimicked the smile she had plastered on her face. Placing her phone down, she began to devise her exit plan. She needed to get away before her false show of happiness began to break away.
"I think it's time I should get back," she said. "I need to prepare for tonight. I'm still not sure about letting Jax talk me into dancing." Trying not to leave room for questions regarding her call. Mia shoved the phone in her purse and quickly rose from her chair.
"You'll do great dear, just try not to think too hard." Marie assured her.
"Yeah, just try not to trip!"
"Zoey!" Marie scolded.
"I'm just joking! You'll be amazing, girl." Zoey said genuinely.
"Thanks, guys, I'll catch up with you tomorrow."
"We want all the details." Marie insisted as Mia stood from her seat.
"Of course. See yah'." Mia turned and walked out of the restaurant leaving Zoey and Marie to themselves.
"Marie, what do we do?" Zoey said giving Marie a worrisome glance.
"We continue to be her friends, and then be there for her when she is ready to tell us," Marie advised.
"And what about what she is? You need to tell Jax. He can help her when she figures it out."
"No, we don't tell anyone, it is not ours to tell. It's going to be hard enough for her when she finds out. She doesn't need to feel lied to by everyone around her too."
"They already know something is up."
"And that's all they need to know for now Zoey," Marie declared," we need to be her friends. She's going to need us when things get messy."
"OK, but when Jax and Russ find out I was hiding this, I'm blaming you!" Zoey exclaimed, there was a trace of laughter in her voice.
