Rush (Breathless #1)(69)

“I don’t know,” Mia hedged. She had no idea what Gabe’s plans for her were.

Caroline’s gaze sharpened. “Tell me you’re not pondering asking his permission to go out with your girls. He doesn’t own you, Mia.”

Mia barely controlled the guilty flinch. Gabe did own her. He had contractual rights to her body, her time, her everything. Not that she wanted to share that particular bit of knowledge with Caroline. Her friends would never understand.

She sighed, knowing the best thing to do would be to go and spend the evening with them. She didn’t want to shut herself off from her friends because when Gabe moved on, she’d need them. They were going to be the ones who stuck by her through thick and thin, and if she didn’t take care, there would be no one left for her down the road.

She’d simply have to tell Gabe that she had plans Friday night, and hope to hell he was reasonable about it.

“Okay. Friday night,” Mia relented.

Caroline’s face lit up and she danced around Mia. “We are going to have so much fun! I’ve missed you, Mia. It’s not the same without you around.”

Mia felt another surge of guilt. It had been her idea for Caroline to move in. Aside from the fact that Caroline needed a place to stay, Mia had wanted the company. And now she was spending very little time in her apartment or with Caroline.

“I’m going to go call the girls so they don’t make other plans. Will I see you after your dinner tonight?”

Mia nodded. “Yep. I’m spending tonight here.”

“Awesome. Tell you what. Don’t eat dessert. I’ll make fudge and get a movie. We’ll veg on the couch when you get home.”

Mia grinned. “Perfect!”

Caroline made a shooing motion. “Okay, go get ready. I’ll get out of your hair.”

Mia ducked into her room and pulled out her favorite pair of jeans. Holes in the legs, sequined pockets and low-slung hip-hugging. They were her favorite comfort item, and she’d worked diligently to make sure they still fit even after three years of owning them. No better incentive to keep her weight down than to be able to remain in her jeans, right?

She snagged a cami and an off-the shoulder top, and then went into the bathroom to repair her hair and makeup.

She was looking forward to her night out with Jace and Ash. They made her comfortable, and they enjoyed an easy relationship. Instead of one older brother, it was like having two, even if Ash flirted endlessly with her. He was perfectly harmless—to her at least. He was lethal to other women, but he was too firmly entrenched in her mind as a family member. Gabe was a whole different matter…

And the more she thought about it, the more she looked forward to her night out with the girls. Caroline had it right when she’d said that Mia hadn’t been around since she’d taken the job with Gabe. Gabe was…Well, he was an obsession that was all consuming. And there was the matter of the contract she’d signed giving up her time to him to do with as he wished.

If the girls knew of that particular caveat, they’d be checking her into an institution.

She brushed on another layer of mascara and touched up her lipstick, a shiny pink that matched her toes, and then she pulled her hair up into a messy bun and secured a large clip to hold it in place.

By the time she made it back into the living room, the decadent smell of chocolate filled the air.

“Oh my God, Caro, that smells divine,” Mia groaned.

Caroline looked up from the stove and grinned. “I’m even sacrificing the nuts just for you.”

“You are too good to me.”

Mia perched on the bar stool across the island from where Caroline was cooking, and rested her arms on the countertop.

“So how is work going?”

Caroline stopped stirring a moment and then reset the temperature before laying the spoon to the side. She wrinkled her nose and made a face.

“Boss is still a dickhead. He spends more time trying to get into my pants than he does actually working. As soon as I have enough money saved up, I’m going to start looking for another job.”

Caroline took a deep breath and glanced up at Mia.

“I met this guy…”

Mia leaned forward. “Oh do tell. Is this someone I should know about?”

“Well, maybe. I’m not sure yet. We’re just talking. Texting. God, I feel like I’m in high school or something. And I’m paranoid. You know, after Ted.”

Mia sighed. Caroline’s last relationship had been a disaster. She’d met Ted, fell instantly in lust and love only to find out after six months of strange meeting times and dates that he was married with two kids. It had made her question herself in a huge way.

“So you think he’s married or something?” Mia asked.

Caroline’s lips turned downward. “I don’t know. Something’s off. Or maybe I’m just screwed up after what happened with Ted. Part of me wants to just walk away before we become involved, but the other part of me wonders if I’m being stupid and if I should give him a chance.”

Mia pursed her lips and looked thoughtfully at Caroline. “You know, Jace runs background checks on every man I’ve ever seen. I could always have him do a little checking on your guy. Wouldn’t hurt to have some info before you take the plunge.”

Caroline gave her a look of incredulity. “Are you serious?”