Mikey looked over at Mira feeling the happiest he'd ever been. He should've been more focused on making it look like he was at least trying to beat her while totally letting her win. What he'd done to deserve her he had no idea. She was shy, something he wasn't, but as she was warming up to him. He'd learned she had a snarky sense of humor and the best smile.
Mira tossed the remote onto the coffee table startling Mikey from his thoughts. "You're letting me win."
"Wh-What? No, I'm not," Mikey stuttered.
Mira raised a brow knowing that her father was a terrible liar. She let it go and rested against Mikey's arm. "When's Mom gonna be home?"
Mikey shifted to wrap his arm around Mira, "I think she said she gets off of work at 8." That was still two hours away and her stomach growled. Mikey smiled softly, "How about I make something?"
Mira looked up at him with a small nod, the two of them going to the kitchen. Mikey scavenged the cabinets looking for ingredients to make tacos.
He gave Mira a knife and a couple tomato's while he started frying up the meat.
By the time Amber got home the apartment smelled of spice and Mikey was dancing while Mira begged him to stop neither noticed her enter. She set her purse and coat on a chair finally getting their attention.
"I thought you didn't get home till 8?"
Before Amber could respond to Mira, Mikey took her by the hand and spun her around adding a dip for flare. "Mikey!" she gasped when he took the spatula between his teeth with a suggestive grin, dragging her as he danced. Amber tripped over her feet still laughing glad that Mikey caught her. "Michelangelo, quit it!" she smacked her hand against his chest.
Mira covered her face in mock embarrassment peeking through her fingers.
"You know you can't resist these sick moves, babe."
Amber rolled her eyes and playfully shoved him away. "I got off at 6, I told Mikey that. Did you forget?"
Mikey smiled sheepishly and shrugged. "Well, good news is you're here for dinner."
"Thanks, I'm going to go change." She kissed Mira on the forehead and snagged one last look at Mikey with his long sleeves rolled up to his elbows air guitaring next to the stove.
The table was set by the time she got back, and she took a seat next to her daughter.
"This came for you." Mira handed her a thick envelope and Amber knew immediately what it was.
"Sweet!" She pulled the paper out with a grin happy that it was official.
"What it is?" Mikey asked taking a bite of his taco.
"Divorce papers," Amber said while reading the first paragraph cut off by Mikey choking.
Mikey finally cleared his windpipe and looked at Amber, "You were married?"
"I was once upon a time," she explained a bit wistful. "But we've been separated since Mira. We just now got around to making it official."
"Yep, it's my fault." Her grin sobered a bit, "He's actually how I got the scar on my cheek."
Mikey's face hardened, "What's his name? I just wanna talk."
"Easy, killer," Amber smiled preparing another taco touched by his defensiveness. "He's gone for good."
Amber set the last plate back in the cabinet its clatter signaling that it was time for Mikey to leave.
"Thank you for staying with her and cooking dinner," she said softly wiping off the counter for a third time. A sorry attempt to make it last longer.
"Of course. I love spending time with her," Mikey replied looking at Amber from the side of his eyes. There was something there, he was sure of it.
Amber hung the rag over the faucet and turned to Mikey standing a safe distance away. "I have tomorrow off. Maybe we could come to the lair?"
Mikey wiped his hands off on his jeans with a small smile deciding to play along. "Sounds good. I can pick you up. Just let me know when."
"Great!" Amber said a little too enthusiastically. "I'm sure Mira will be happy to see Nikki and Andrea again."
"Uh huh," Mikey trailed more focused on her lips.
Amber felt her heart rate shoot up when his bright blue eyes drifted down from her eyes and felt heat rushing up her neck. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow then!" She forced herself to walk to the front door to unlock it.
Mikey followed not sure what game Amber was playing but knew he hadn't imagined her blushing. He watched her fumble with the locks debating with himself. Finally, he decided to let this play out. No need to rush things. He could wait for her.
But her lopsided smile made that hard.
Amber shut the door behind him pressing her back to the wood muttering curses. Her self-deprecation came to halt when she saw Mikey's hoodie on the sofa. She snatched it up in her arms wondering if she should take it to him. Maybe he'd be back for it. Maybe she could just give it to him tomorrow.
She slipped it on trying to feel guilty, but no such feeling came. Tomorrow it was.
Pray for Mira. Next chapter already posted cuz they short.