“I know. I still cringe when I think of what I did to my own aunt,” Miah admits, sipping his tea with a sigh. “I was hard and ruthless and I got things done, but I had other options I purposely overlooked because of my anger.”
“I think that in some ways, we’ll all be affected by this for a long time. It’s normal to look back and dissect every move and decision and have a lot of regrets. My only real regret was not telling Daddy I loved him more. I was upset and resentful that I had Roman, and yet Daddy had more of him so…”
Miah nods his head. “Me, I regret letting Roman do this stuff at all, even knowing that he planned it all before I came on the scene. I saw you two that night at the fisherman’s shack, Mellie. I could have stepped in and changed a lot of things I knew weren’t right, but I was too wrapped up in Clari and my own personal stuff.”
Oh Lord, I think Miah Lane is trying to apologize to me for something that he had no part in. I always would have fallen for Roman. Heck, I’ve been half in love with the man for years already. And I always would have had to let him go.
“Don’t. None of it was going to change a darn thing and I know it. It’s done. We need to move forward, as a family, and let it all go because I, for one, am not willing to let it shape me anymore,” I say determinedly.
Miah smiles again and I feel my chest tighten before he nods and sets his cup aside.
“Don’t let him seduce you and take another piece of your heart if he’s not willing to give you all of his. I know Roman, and as much as I don’t want to say it, the man is a charmer who’ll do anything to get his way. He wants you and the baby and I want to say that it will make him change a lot of shit that’s wrong with the way he thinks and feels, but I can’t honestly tell you that. I’d rather you two were apart than watch you hurt when he leaves for the next op.”
“Miah, are you standing in my corner over Roman’s?” I ask steadily, not quite believing what I’m hearing right now.
“Yes. You’re not just his girl. You’re my little sister, and I’m as responsible for you as I am for him. I want you to have a good pregnancy and a good life here with us, but if that won’t happen with Roman, then I say you let him go and just move on. You’re too great to pine for a man and I won’t have it.”
The words make my chest ache and I freaking tear up again before launching myself at him and hugging him to death.
“I love you too, Miah, and I am so grateful and honored that you and the others decided to make me one of yours. Thank you.”
He pats me awkwardly and I pull away with a chuckle, resuming my seat with a laugh that makes him grin and hand me what’s left of the chocolate.
“He’s been working really hard to heal so he can be strong for you and I’m so proud of the way he’s stepped back entirely from the Lynn situation. Just…give him a chance, but keep your heart safe.”
“I will. I, we actually have a date tomorrow night.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. He’s coming over to talk and he even said we should be friends…or something. I wasn’t really listening since I was still in shock that he actually came to Will’s bar without decking the poor guy.”
Miah laughs and throws me a wink.
“Yeah, he really hates poor Will and I do not see that changing anytime soon. You know he still tried to lunge at the guy and stake his territory even when he was half dead?”
I chuckle at that image because Will has a totally different version of the story that involves long flowing blond locks, a hero-like figure of great moral stature, and a victim who was tame as a lamb.
“Will and I are just friends and Roman knows it.”
“Ah, but you and Roman are also just friends now and he knows that, too,” Miah points out prosaically. “Remember what I said. Do what’s best for you and my little nephew/niece over there and don’t apologize to anyone for feeling what you’re feeling. Now, I gotta go. My wife’s pregnant and moody and I have the need to spoil her a little.” He laughs, coming over to kiss my cheek and pull me up so we can walk out together.
“Thanks, Miah.”
“Anytime, little sister. See you tomorrow maybe?”
“Sure. Tell Clari I said hi and thanks for those books she sent me. I’m keeping the coffee table pretty with them.”
He laughs again and I watch as he starts jogging the distance from the small cottage that has become mine to the large home off in the distance.
Chapter Eleven
Roman
My palms are sweating as I button up the last button on my shirt and splash on a dash of cologne while I try to convince myself that I’m not more nervous than a green boy having a go at his first girl.