Hayes Hughes held the tie clip, frozen in place.
He was getting a promotion next week, and Mia Grant, who knew about it, was even happier than he was.
She had said she would get him a gift to congratulate him when she came back.
That was from a late-night phone call they had two weeks ago, just before bed.
She had been so sleepy then, her words were slurred and indistinct.
He had chuckled and agreed, but he hadn't really expected her to remember.
Seeing him standing motionless, Mia Grant blinked. "You don't like it?"
"No." He snapped out of his daze and smiled at her. "Thank you, Mia. I love it."
It was too late that night, so Mia Grant didn't return to her own home, staying instead at her place near Hayes Hughes.
Mia Grant rested for a week after returning to the country before she started her job.
She wasn't idle during that week; she spent her time exploring Jynsia.
Hayes Hughes also took a few days off to accompany her.
