AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That sounds like a solid plan. I can’t believe you left without shoes.”
“I was fine. My feet where the last thing I was worried about,” I answer honestly.
“I’m sure. You were more concerned about the blood gushing from your nose and lip,” she says sheepishly.
“No, I was more concerned about Meghan, who was in desperate need of a friend at that moment.”
Her eyes soften and lips curl upward. “Meghan did need a friend, and she’s very grateful to Nick for being there for her.”
“There is no place that Nick would have rather been.”
“I’m not sure about that,” she replies with a laugh. “I didn’t know crying, emotional women were Nick’s thing.”
And again, before I can stop myself, I reply, “I think Meghan is Nick’s thing.”
She looks up at me with wonder, excitement, and maybe even uncertainty in her eyes, but she smiles nonetheless. She doesn’t run screaming from the room, nor gently remind me that I’m her friend and only her friend. I’ll chalk that one up in the win category.
No, I’m not entirely sure where this is going, or what the future may hold for her and I, but the door to finding out feels cracked open. I just have to be careful to enter slowly, and not kick the door and bust in the way I want to.
Slow and steady is the key.
* * *
After a quick stop at my house, in which I run through the shower in record time and throw on the first pair of Dockers and dress shirt I can find, we’re off to the café for breakfast. Having Meghan sitting in the passenger seat seems almost too natural. Like she was meant to be there. I try not to let my mind go there, but it does.
And now I can’t unthink it.
The café is fairly busy with both families and individuals heading into work. We’re able to find an open booth, but before we can sit down, our attention is drawn to the opposite side of the room. “Youuwhooooo, Meggy Pie!”
“Crap,” Meghan mumbles as we both turn to the couple waiving their hands. “We should go say hello.”
“We should,” I reply, following behind as Meghan makes her way toward her grandparents.
“Well, look at this! What a wonderful surprise,” Emma says, her entire face lighting up with excitement. “Join us,” she adds, motioning with her hand to the booth opposite of where Orval and she sit together.
“Oh, we don’t have much time. We just stopped in for a bite before heading to work,” Meghan replies.
“You’ll get food just as quickly here that you would on the other side of the room,” Orval contradicts. It’s the first time I notice that his hand is holding hers on top of the table.
“Unless, you know, you two would like to be alone for a bit. Then, by all means, please go sit over in that quiet, private little booth in the corner,” Emma adds, an ornery glint in her sparkling eyes.
“No, no. No privacy needed. We can sit,” Meghan quickly replies, sliding into the empty booth.
I follow suit, the outside of my thigh gently touching hers beneath the table. She doesn’t move over farther, so neither do I.
“So, what brings you two out? Together.” Oh, that mischievous ol’ woman is definitely up to something. She’s like a dog with a new bone.
“We just ran into each other and decided to have a quick bite before heading into the office.” I notice Meghan doesn’t mention anything about the sleepover, not that I blame her.
“Sure, sure. Everyone’s gotta eat, right?” she says, that look still in her eyes. “Besides, I’m sure it was easy running into each other.” Emma shrugs casually before taking a sip of her black coffee.
I can feel Meghan tense in the seat next to me. “Why do you say that?”
“Well, since his car was at your house all night, I imagine you probably ran into each other a few times. You know, in the hallway, the kitchen…the bedroom.” Emma’s smile turns victorious as she gazes at her granddaughter from across the table.
Meghan gasps next to me. “You were spying on me?”
“Of course not, dear. I sent Orvie out for ice cream, and he happened to mention seeing Nick’s car.”
