She stood and opened the front gate, ushered Carla through. Carla trudged up the path and collapsed on to the step, and Mia’s heart clenched at the sight of her friend’s red-rimmed eyes.
Then she noted the faint blue bruise on Carla’s right cheekbone and a hot pit of anger burned in her belly.
She brushed her fingers beneath it, unable to stop her eyes from filling. ‘Not Thierry?’
Carla’s eyes filled too. ‘No. He’s a jerk, but not that much of a jerk.’
‘Not Dylan.’
It was a statement rather than a question. Dylan would never strike a woman.
Carla gave a short laugh. ‘I think he’d rather throw himself off a cliff than hurt a woman.’ She glanced at Mia and rolled her eyes. ‘I mean physically hurt a woman. From what I can tell he’s broken his fair share of hearts. The fact you’re up so early leads me to believe he’s given you a sleepless night.’
Mia felt her lips twist. ‘In this instance I believe it’s safe to say I’ve returned the favour.’
Carla’s attempt at a smile almost broke Mia’s heart. She sat down and put her arm around Carla’s shoulders. ‘Your uncle?’
Carla rested her head against Mia’s. ‘Yes...’ she whispered.
The swine!
They sat like that for a while, letting the early-morning peace seep into their souls.
A sigh eventually shuddered out of Mia. ‘He hit you because of me, didn’t he? Because you refused to end our friendship. I’m sorry I’ve caused trouble for you, Carla. You don’t deserve it.’
Carla lifted her head. ‘He hit me because I refused to obey him—because I’m choosing to live my life the way I see fit. And it’s not the first time it’s happened.’
Mia called him one of the worst names she could think of.
A giggle shot out of Carla, but she nodded in agreement.
‘C’mon.’ Mia hauled her to her feet. ‘Have you had an ounce of sleep?’
Carla shook her head.
She led her inside and pushed her in the direction of the bathroom. ‘Go wash your face.’ She pulled a soft cotton nightie from a drawer and ordered her to put it on, then pulled the covers back from her bed. ‘In.’
‘Oh, but...’
‘We’ll make a game plan after you’ve had some sleep.’
Carla glanced at the bed. ‘A couple of hours would be good.’ She glanced back at Mia, biting her lip. ‘I really, really don’t want to see either Thierry or Dylan at the moment. I know it’s asking a lot of you, Mia, but I just...’
‘You want to sort through things at your own pace. That’s understandable.’
‘I’m tired of men thinking they know what’s best for me, telling me what to do.’
‘I’ll take care of Thierry and Dylan if they show up.’
Carla climbed into the bed.
Mia pulled the covers up to her chin, squeezed her hand briefly. ‘Sleep well.’
She fortified herself with more coffee and went to sit back out on the front step to keep guard.
* * *
Dylan showed up at nine o’clock.
He looked tired and haggard and her heart went out to him. She forgave him—a little—for her own sleepless night.
He collapsed onto the step beside her. ‘I’ve been looking for her for a couple of hours.’ He gestured to Carla’s car. ‘Thierry rang at seven. I thought she was with him. That’s when I realised she was missing. I’m glad she’s here.’
Thierry chose that moment to pull up behind Dylan’s car.
‘She’s a grown woman, Dylan. If she chooses to spend the night elsewhere, surely that’s her business? Not to mention her prerogative. I’m sure you wouldn’t appreciate it if she sent out a search party whenever you didn’t come home.’
He thrust out his jaw. ‘She’s not answering her phone.’
‘Likewise.’
She said it as gently as she could, but Dylan’s eyes narrowed, the irises going a deep sapphire.
Thierry charged up the path. ‘I want to see her!’
‘I’m sure you do.’ She kept her voice calm. ‘But the fact of the matter is she doesn’t want to see either of you at the moment.’
‘Me?’ Dylan shot to his feet. ‘Why doesn’t she want to see me?’
‘I believe the phrase was, “I’m tired of men thinking they know what’s best for me.”’
Both men’s jaws dropped.
Dylan paced.
Thierry just stood there with his hands clenched. He glanced at the door.
‘It’s locked,’ Mia said. ‘And if either one of you has the slightest interest in her well-being you won’t start banging on the door. She’s asleep.’
Dylan halted his pacing. ‘You put her to bed?’
‘I did.’
Thierry rested his hands on his knees, his face grey. ‘I don’t know what to do. I’ve been such an idiot.’
Dylan leapt forward and grabbed him by his shirtfront and shook him. ‘What the hell have you done to her?’
‘If I have to get the hose out to cool the pair of you off, I will.’
Those blue eyes swung to her. She read the anger in them—and the indecision.
‘Let him go, Dylan. Carla is perfectly aware that the two of you have her best interests at heart, but she’s entitled to a time out whenever she needs one. She doesn’t have to consult with either of you beforehand.’
Dylan stared into her eyes so intently it felt as if he was scouring her soul. Finally, with a nod, he released Thierry. ‘Sorry.’
Thierry straightened his shirt. ‘No problem.’
She glanced back at Thierry. ‘I don’t know what your argument was about last night, but if you’re truly sorry—’
‘I am!’
‘Then I suggest you come up with an honest explanation for why you behaved the way you did, promise to do better in the future, and have a heartfelt and grovelling apology ready.’
His fists opened and closed several times. He nodded hard. ‘Right.’
His earnestness almost made her smile. ‘Flowers might help too.’
His chin lifted. ‘I can come back?’
She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep him away indefinitely.
‘You can come back at four. I’m not making any promises. It’s up to Carla to decide if she wants to see you or not.’
‘Right.’ He swung away and made for the gate. He halted when he reached it and turned back. ‘Thanks.’
With a nod, he was gone.
Had Thierry just thanked her? Wow!
Both she and Dylan watched him drive away—Mia from her spot on the step, Dylan from where he stood in wide-legged masculine magnificence on her pocket of front lawn.
As soon as Thierry’s car had disappeared, he swung back to face her. ‘Okay, you can let me see her now.’
‘I’m