Page 75 of The Beach Shack
"I miss my espresso machine," Meg added with a crooked smile. "And decent Thai takeout. And not having to explain what I do."
"But?"
"But..." Meg let her voice trail off for a beat. "I don't miss who I had to be to keep it all afloat. The person who was always 'on,' always fixing. I didn't realize how much of myself I'd left out of that version."
"Maybe that part is still you," Anna said gently. "Just not the whole story anymore."
"Yeah," Meg said, voice softening. "Maybe that's it."
Anna didn't say anything for a long moment, and Meg could hear her smile through the silence.
"Actually," Meg continued, "Luke came with me to the presentation today."
"Wait, Luke went with you? How was that?"
Meg felt heat creep up her cheeks. "He offered to come for moral support. Said it had been a while since I'd done anything that important without backup."
"And?"
"And... it was nice. Having someone there who wasn't invested in the outcome but cared about me doing well." Meg twisted a strand of hair around her finger. "He cleaned up surprisingly well. Actual shoes and everything."
Anna laughed. "Meg Walsh, are you falling for your surf instructor?"
"He's not just a surf instructor," Meg said, maybe a little too quickly. "He runs marine conservation programs. And he's... I don't know. Different than I thought."
"Different how?"
"Smarter. More serious about things that matter. But still..." Meg trailed off, not sure how to finish.
"Still what?"
"Still him, I guess. Still the person who remembers my pineapple rash guard and thinks citizen science is a perfectly good idea."
Anna was quiet for a beat. "That sounds nice, Meg.”
"We're going to do more First Thursdays," Meg said, changing the subject before Anna could probe further. "Natalie, Paige, and me. They're planning some kind of girls' night when you get back. Apparently I need to see their extensive collection of embarrassing photos from senior beach week."
"Oh god, those photos," Anna groaned. "Please tell me they don't have the one where you?—"
"Where I what?"
"Never mind. You'll find out."
Meg laughed. "Great. Something to look forward to. But seriously, it felt good. Having plans that aren't work-related. Having people who want to make plans with me."
"Bea's going to flip when she hears you're making friends," Anna said warmly. "She's been worried you were lonely."
"She's been worried about me?"
"Kids notice things. She asked me once why you always sounded tired on the phone." Anna's voice grew thoughtful. "But you don't sound tired anymore."
Meg closed her eyes. "When you come home, can we go to the Saturday market? I want to make every single pasta dish you've had in Florence. But with you and Bea."
"I'll bring the recipes," Anna said, a little choked up. "And the good olive oil."
“Perfect,” Meg said quietly.
"I'm really glad you called."
