Page 111 of The Me I Left Behind

“Right.”

“Blame it on the glitter.”

“Definitely.”

Stepping back, she studied him for a moment. “Thanks for your help with the supplies. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem.” He toed some gravel on the parking lot. “I hope to see you in one of my classes soon?”

It was a question and also a statement. Maggie wasn’t sure how to take it. “I would love to but honestly, the timing is not good right now. Maybe in a couple of months.”

He nodded. “I understand.” He glanced at his watch. “Speaking of timing, I have about an hour before opening the shop. Are you up for a cup of coffee? We can talk art and easelsand stuff. Glitter, too. Us second-grade selfie parents should stick together.”

“I suppose so.” She shouldn’t. And yet, she wanted to, somehow. “Oh, I don’t know.”

“My treat.”

Shit. Did he know about the credit card fiasco? About leaving most of her purchases behind—the ones she never went back to get? Surely not. She was reading into things that weren’t there.

She was unexpectedly embarrassed.

“That’s unnecessary,” she quipped. “I have money.”

He blinked, stepping back. “I didn’t mean to imply—”

“Sorry. And I didn’t mean to be rude.” She touched his arm. “You know what? I could use a coffee about right now, but I want to make sure we’re on the same page first.”

A corner of his mouth turned up in a half-grin. “I get it. You’re not emotionally ready to jump into a relationship.” He leaned closer, his voice lowered. “Love at first sight is overrated, anyway.”

Maggie snorted a laugh. “Ha. I didn’t expect that.”

“I’m glad I could make you laugh.”

“But it’s kind of true, you know?” She slanted her head, watching him. “I just don’t want to get off on the wrong foot—avoid any misunderstandings. Coffee as friends would be great. I’d actually like to hear more about your studio and classes. Plus, we second-grade parentsdoneed to stick together, as you said. But anything else is….”

“Bad timing.” He caught her gaze. Simultaneously, his right eyebrow shot up in question.

She nodded. “Exactly. Sorry to say.”

He took a deep breath and looked down the street. “I get that, too. Hey. There’s a little coffee shop called Ma Malone’s on the next corner. Hole-in-the-wall but super-strong java. Meet you there in five minutes?”

She grinned. “Alright. Who can resist super-strong java?”

But when she parked in front of the coffee shop a few minutes later, anxiety gripped her. She sat there, staring at the lettering on the door.

This was not the time to start something she couldn’t finish. There was too much going on in her life—not fair to her or to anyone else. She couldn’t focus on pleasing another person—she had kids to focus on. Because she’s a people pleaser, right? That’s what the old therapist had said years ago.

Was that still the case? Honestly, she didn’t know.

Have I finally learned my lesson?

She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel. “I should just go,” she whispered.

Why in the hell did I even agree to this?While it seemed safe at the time—Andy had made it feel safe—the idea sounded extremely ridiculous and a little risky.

She liked him, true, and would also like to get to know him better—but she was not on the hunt for a new man in her life. Didn’t know if she’d ever want to be attached to another man, again. She’d sort of grown numb to the idea of it, to be honest.

Take care of yourself, so you can take care of the others.

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