Chapter 45 - 45

"Oh, come on, Mia, that shade is perfect for you," Lizzie said as I walked out of the dressing room in a sexy blue halter top and mini skirt combo that she insisted made my skin glow.

"I'm not sure that this is exactly what they mean by work clothes," I said walking over to the mirror.

It did look amazing on me and with my red hair, the blue complimenting it so well that it seemed to glow like a fire.

"Who cares? This is exactly what you need to remind Reed what he's missing out on when he runs home to Madam Witch," Lizzie said, the disgust in her voice evident.

I had shared my pet name and Lizzie had quickly picked up on it. I had even heard Jordan was using it. I hadn't heard yet what Reed thought of it, but I didn't particularly care right now.

I looked myself up and down and found I was quite pleased with the woman in the mirror. Lizzie was right, I needed to up my action if I was going to get Reed to realize that I could not wait forever. I wasn't even sure why I was waiting. All I knew is that with him I felt as if the world was easy and now that he was gone it was like it was one big empty void that held nothing but a bleak gray future ahead.

With that disturbing thought on my mind, I turned back to Lizzie who was sitting comfortably in a chair wearing a pale pink teddy that made her look like a fragile doll. The exact look, I was sure she was looking for.

"Okay, I'll buy it. But we have to come back here soon. Because no matter what Reed's plans are I'm absolutely going next weekend. I need to get out of the house," I declared assertively.

Feeling exhausted, I flopped into the chair next to her and grabbing a glass of champagne. They really did go all out on the VIP service here.

"Good for you. How much longer are you going to let him lump you in the category of 'the other woman'? Not that I want to see you unhappy and hurting, but I have to tell you I'm afraid of what's going to happen in the long run if this continues," she said handing me one of the appetizers.

I sighed; I knew that. I could feel the end pulling closer and it was so hard to avoid. Although, right now, I could pretend all was well, and when he called me this weekend, I could pretend I wasn't waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I just wasn't ready to let it end just yet.

After a day of trying to find something to occupy my time I decided it was time to be a good daughter and call my parents.

"So, what's going on?" My mom Maggie said almost immediately after the greeting.

I put my head in my hands and silently cursed myself for being dumb enough to call my mother when I wasn't a hundred percent happy. She always had a knack for reading my emotions within moments of talking to me. Then again, so did my father. Growing up, it was awful to have my parents so attuned to me. To be honest it wasn't that great being an adult either.

"Nothing, Mom, everything's going great. Just having a slow day so I figured I'd check in with you guys and see how things were going on your end?" I said trying to sound as light as I could and hoping fervently that she would believe me.

"Don't make me put your father on the phone, kid," Mom said sternly.

My father Tomas was a powerful and respected lawyer. People in his circle always said my father could spot a lie before a person opened their mouth, and I believe them. Wholeheartedly.

I made a noise of frustration.

"Alright, I'm having man problems. I just didn't want you to run off and tell dad. He would charge down here and pull one of his 'That's my baby girl you're messing with and I'm a lawyer, so I know how to stage your murder and get away with it' routines," I complained in a whiny voice that came straight from my childhood.

Mom laughed. "Honey, he's your father. That is the only luxury he's got where you girls are concerned. So let him have his fun every once and a while."

"Yes, but the problem isn't that this man is treating me badly. The problem is he is keeping something from me. He's making it hard for me to make educated choices on where he stands and I'm never sure if I'm coming or going. If we're together or... I need to know so I have an idea what to expect and I just-" I slumped into the couch with a hard sigh, "I just don't."

My mother was quiet for a while on the other end. It left me feeling as if she were about to start a giant lecture on how I needed to conduct myself.

"Date someone else," she finally said blowing me away.

"Mom!" I gasped out.

"What?" she said defensively.

"I don't want to date anyone else. What if this man was the love of my life? You would have me walk away so I can grow old all alone with just a bunch of cats for company?" I cried horrified.

"Goodness, Mia, don't be so dramatic! What I mean to say is that you should tell him you have plans to see someone else," she said with amusement in her voice.

"What good will that do?" I asked.

"It'll kick him into gear. He will either propose, dump you, or not do anything. It will help you decide or put the ball into his court and make him decide. Trust me if a man's dragging his feet this is the best way to fix it.”

"Mom, honestly I don't want him to propose," I said softly.

"Still, you are missing the point. The point is if he thinks he's about to lose you he'll either man up or shut up."

"Wow, Mom. I didn't think you knew that term," I said unable to think of anything else.

"Just trust me on this, Mia. Your mother knows what she is talking about, dad had the same problem with commitment, and I had to do something."

Her words sent a shock wave through me.

"Wait, what?"

I was quite hoping she would finish up her story so I could figure out what she was talking about, but she was already off onto something else that was going to blow my mind.

"Anyway, dearest, I've gotta go, dad will be ready soon and it's date night. Tell Lizzie to call me some time. I want to know if she used that cream that I told her about. It really is best to help sore bottoms afterward. I love you, baby girl. Bye," her mother said.

It sounded like she didn't have a care in the world and hung up without waiting for my reply.

In a state of shock, I didn't move for a long while, still holding the phone unable to hear anything over the roaring in my ears. When I was finally able to draw breath the only words out of my mouth were "Oh my god!"