A Million Dreams (Wish 3)

22 - Magical unicorn

In the aftermath of Sage and Aidan's party, Mia was concerned about others finding out the woman Edward defended and the one making cookies for his son were the same. It took more than a week before Taylor approached her.

"What game are you playing?" She snapped at Mia one morning.

Mia looked up for her spreadsheet. As always Mia was hard at work and Taylor was just arriving. She lacked the work ethic Mia had, since she needed her salary to live. Celia was not in the office, so Mia knew Taylor wasn't concerned about being polite. Mia saw her friend Rosie lingering outside her office. Rosie had never trusted Taylor while Mia didn't have an issue with her — at least not until Mia had moved.

"Excuse me?" She suspected it was the moment she had been dreading. She only hoped she had learned a few tips from Edward about hiding her emotions.

"You are the one giving Elaine's kid cookies!"

"I'm sorry but I wasn't aware it was a crime. I bring cookies for all of you."

"How long did you plan your manipulation?"

"You think I stayed up at night calculating ways to get a four-year-old boy to like me? Giving him cookies, which I am known for making took some scheming? Taylor, listen to yourself."

"Not the kid! Ted! Don't pretend you didn't plan your move to get close to him."

"I absolutely didn't. First the circumstances causing my move caught me by surprise. I had been watching the beautiful old home go through a transformation every day on my way to work. When I called the number on the for rent sign, it was a leasing agent. I didn't know who my neighbor slash landlord was. How would I know Edward Calhoun lived there? Any glimpses of him, he was in work clothes and climbing into a pickup truck. Edward Calhoun never crossed my mind."

"I don't believe you."

"Fine, but I tried to help you in your quest to be the next Mrs. Calhoun, but you weren't interested. The most important thing in his life is his son."

Taylor laughed. "Wrong! It's power and money."

"Even now you refuse to listen to me. I would never have chosen to live next to Edward, because I deal with enough self centered wealthy people in this job. I find most of your people unkind and selfish."

"Ted isn't selfish."

Mia agreed. "Edward is cold and calculating." She had no problem saying it, because she had said something similar to his face — Tori had too.

"He's a successful businessman."

"Yes, and at his request, I kept the identity of my landlord private. His reasons had everything to do with him and nothing to do with me. I can tell you he is well aware of your interest in him. Seeing as he has yet to act is an excellent indication he is not interested, but how am I to know? I was clueless when my boyfriend of two years broke up with me. Maybe Walter Leonard has a brother or a friend for you."

"I still don't believe you. I know you want him for yourself."

Luckily, Taylor left her office without waiting for a response, because Mia would have to lie.

Taylor continued to be professional with Mia, but the two would never be friends. The stress of the last month before the ball caused tensions with everyone, but they weren't prepared when the venue for the ball had a fire and closed for repairs. A lack of location had Celia stressed out and Mia did her best to keep her head low.

She had enough going on in her own life, so she wanted nothing to do with Edward Calhoun or the ball. She was almost certain Sage was pregnant and while Mia was excited she felt left out. Every time she spoke to Sage, she mentioned Brenna and Brenna spent a lot of time with Sage. Brenna had recently announced her second pregnancy and neither of them were working, so they had plenty of time while Mia did not.