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To my surprise, Mia is already there, nervously sipping champagne at a table.
“How are you?” I greet her and take a seat across from her.
“I’m just trying to keep it together,” she admits, making me chuckle.
“Why?” I notice a second glass on the table and pour myself a drink. “I just thought it would be a good idea for us to talk.”
“People don’t usually want to talk to me…” she says, avoiding my gaze.
I shake my head sympathetically. She seems a bit tipsy, so I need to tread carefully here.
“What did my brother do to you?” I ask, serious.
“Nothing,” she shrugs. “That’s exactly the problem. Ryan was always the same, except when he compared himself to you.”
She lightly jabs a finger at my chest, taking me by surprise. “Really? Ryan, one of the youngest billionaire CEO’s, comparing himself to me?”
“You’re his idol, Ethan,” she murmurs into her glass. “I wouldn't know, being an only child, but I guess that’s how it is with siblings, huh?”
I slowly take in her words, savoring the aroma of the champagne before taking another sip. “Too bad he never compared our relationships.”
I want her to admit they broke up because he never proposed, but I doubt it’ll be that simple.
“He was content with the way things were,” Mia sighs. “He thought he could always have me. I wasn't upset then, but I’m starting to be now. God, what a waste of time.”
She buries her face in her arms. Instinctively, I reach out to comfort her and surprise myself by running my fingers through her hair.
She freezes. “Please, don’t do that,” she whispers.
I lift my hand but don’t pull it away completely. “Why shouldn’t I?” I ask.
“Because you’re making me feel things…” she murmurs in a strained tone.
“Good things or bad things?” I ask, amused, but move my hand away to make her more comfortable.
“I…” Mia raises her beautiful eyes to me. “I don’t know. You’re my ex’s brother. How am I supposed to feel?”
We look at each other for a long time. After much contemplation, I respond, “You know what I feel? I feel like I’m with someone who left a long relationship feeling very lonely, just like me. And I feel she needs time to acclimate to this new stage in life, to take it easy, be more open and not worry about taking things too seriously.”
She takes in my words and blinks at me. Straightening herself in her chair, she pushes her champagne glass away.
“I’m surprised to hear you say that,” Mia says thoughtfully.
“Even though I was once called ‘Hulk on Ice,’ the truth is I’m really a softie. Just don’t tell anyone else.” I tip my glass to her.
She chokes on her own giggles. “I’d hate to see you mad.”
“Nah…” I finish my glass and pour another. “My marriage was a farce for a long time, and I just lived with that, Mia. At least we got Senna out of it.”
“How’s Senna dealing with the divorce?” When she asks about him, it warms my heart.
“He seems fine,” I answer truthfully. “He gets to travel most weekends, has two bedrooms, twice the toys, and probably double the attention. It’s a good deal for him, at least for now.”
“I’m glad,” Mia says, reaching for the bottle to pour herself the last of the champagne. “I miss him like he was my actual nephew. I need Amanda’s address to send him birthday and Christmas gifts.”
“I’ll give it to you.” Without thinking, I reach out and touch her hand. When I look at her face, she bears the same shocked expression as before.
“You don’t want me to do that?” I ask, pointing at her hand.
