Page 62 of Love, Morgan

She twisted her monitor for me to see. “Private, candlelit dinner. We take you out to a private beach location, a private chef creates a meal just for the two of you. It’s romantic as hell.”

Never in my life had I wanted to do something like that. I knew it was a thing people did, but I hadn’t wanted it, hadn’t felt like I was missing out on anything by not having it.

Until now. Until Iona.

Suddenly, my mind was filled with the vision of her sitting across from me, in our own private, perfect moment. Candles glowing around us, the view of the stars uninterrupted. Just the two of us and nothing else that mattered in the world.

“Can we do this tonight?” I asked, ignoring the way Thalia was looking at me.

“Of course, Ms. Franklin.”

I scoffed. “That’s what you’re calling me? After you just called me over to talk about my relationship like we’re friends?”

“Of course, Ms. Franklin,” she said again, this time with significantly more smugness.

“It’s annoying that Iona is friends with you.”

She laughed. “I think she has a type.”

I scowled at her. Iona had said the two of us were alike in some ways, and I knew she wasn’t interested in Thalia romantically, but I didn’t like the implication. Or the fact that she was muscling in on my niche. “Do you talk to all the guests like this?”

“Most definitely not,” she said, laughing. “But this is so much more fun.”

“You sent me a mango. A mango.”

“Iona likes weirdos. What can I say?”

There was no denying that.

I rolled my eyes. “Just make sure you watch her videos. Sending it in a gift bag. Good lord. If you’re going to be her friend and try to help her, at least get the wrapping right.”

She smiled at me, softer than I was expecting from her. “You’re good for her, you know? And I think she’s good for you too.”

“You barely even know me.”

“I see a lot of people coming through here. You get good at reading them.”

“I wouldn’t know.”

She smirked. “Just, think about it. Maybe over your private, candlelit dinner. This doesn’t have to be the end, you know? She and I are going to stay friends, and that’s a lot further than opposite sides of the country.”

I didn’t have time to think about that. I didn’t have time to think about Iona calling Thalia, the two staying friends while I went about my life without her. I didn’t have time to waste being sad that I didn’t have her in the few hours I did.

I sighed. “Thank you for your unsolicited input. We’ll get to your feedback when we have time.”

She laughed and raised her hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. You win. Do what you want. Your dinner is all booked for tonight. Be back here at eight o’clock and your personal team will escort you to dinner.”

I nodded in thanks, turning to walk away. I paused. “I’m glad she has you.”

Without waiting for a reply, I started walking away, but that didn’t prevent me from hearing her, “I’m glad she has you too. For however long she does.”

???

“Where are we going?” Iona asked, giggling, as I led her towards the main building.

“You’ll see,” I told her for the millionth time.

I knew I shouldn’t, but I reached out to lace my fingers with hers. I barely even registered when people did that with their partners in public. It wasn’t something I’d ever paid attention to, or missed out on, or wanted. But, with her beside me, dressed in that long, floaty, black dress, I couldn’t help but need her hand in mine.

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