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“So will I,” Isla said seriously.
When they left, Jeannie put down the cloth she’d been cleaning the tables with and gave Meghan an interested stare. “So what’s going on this weekend?”
Meghan blinked. “What do you mean? I’m working. You know that.”
Jeannie shook her head. “Nah, you’re edgy. You keep checking your watch. And when you said goodbye to Isla there was this weird guilty expression on your face.”
Exhaling heavily, Meghan leaned on the counter. “I’m meeting my neighbor for a date.”
A smile slowly lifted Jeannie’s mouth. “The hot doc?”
Meghan nodded.
“Oh boy. No wonder you’re all flustered.”
Well that was an understatement. “I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I?” she asked Jeannie.
“Of course you are. Why wouldn’t you be?”
“I’m a single mom. I don’t want to cause any problems for Isla.”
Jeannie sighed. “Look, I’m fifteen years older than you, so you can take this as a little bit of life experience from me. You’re not just a mom or a business owner or a daughter. You’re a woman. You have needs and desires and deserve to be happy. That doesn’t take away from the other parts in your life. You can still be a great mom and a great businesswoman and have passion in your life, too. So don’t feel guilty because you’re planning a weekend of love with the doc next door.”
Her words made Meghan grin. She was right. For so long she’d felt guilty about wanting things she thought she shouldn’t have. It was practically ingrained in her as a child. And then, when she’d thrown off the shackles of her upbringing, she’d paid the price in the biggest of ways.
Not that she regretted a moment of being Isla’s mom. But getting pregnant after her first fling had proved her parents right. And maybe she’d internalized that feeling for too long.
It felt good to be desired by Rich. It made her feel warm and beautiful and all the things he kept telling her she was. This weekend was for her and him, and nobody else. Either she let the guilt consume her, or she enjoyed it.
She chose enjoyment.
“It’s getting quieter in here,” Jeannie said, nodding her head at the half-empty tables. “Why don’t I close up tonight? You go home and start your weekend.”
“Are you sure?”
Jeannie grinned. “I’m sure. And the next time I have a hot date you can return the favor.”
Meghan hugged her tightly. “Thank you. And I definitely will.”
He was waiting for her when she pulled into the parking lot, leaning on the white wall of their building, his arms crossed, biceps pushed out, a half smile on his face.
Her stomach lurched because he looked so good. He was wearing a pair of light jeans and a black t-shirt that molded to his chest. His hair was slicked back and he had a pair of dark sunglasses covering his eyes. As soon as he saw her car he lifted them up and walked toward her, his eyes intent on hers as he strode across the blacktop.
He’d swapped shifts this weekend so he could spend it with her, even though she had to work tomorrow. When she’d tried to apologize for not finding a stand in at the ice cream parlor he’d told her he was looking forward to helping her there. He was so sweet she was afraid her teeth might break.
“Hey.” He pulled open her door. “How was your day, darling?”
She grinned. “Better now.”
He held her hand as she climbed out, then pulled her into his arms, pressing his lips to hers. She could smell the warm, deep notes of his cologne. It made her feel heady.
“So we’re kissing in public now?” she asked him.
“It definitely feels like it to me.” He slid his hand into hers, closing the door to her car as she slid her purse over her shoulder.
“I thought I was coming over to yours at seven,” she said as they walked into the lobby. “Isn’t that the plan?”
“It is. But then you texted and said you were leaving early, so I thought I’d say hi.” He pushed the button for the elevator.
