Page 85 of Afternoon Delight
I should have said I missed her too. I could sense her trying to pull those words from me.
The truth was, our ability to cohabit peacefully was as much about the fact that we’d had demanding jobs than about our compatibility as people. We hadn’t weathered much in the way of life’s inevitable storms, but the minute the waves had picked up, we’d fallen apart.
If I had missed her, I would have been texting her all this time. I would have been happy to see her. Instead, I was surprised and a little dismayed. I felt guilty for buying her a coffee, like this was a date when I was promised elsewhere.
“I’m not sure what to say, Ric. If you want to move here—if you like the island and the job—then do it. But things are all-consuming with Dad. I don’t have the bandwidth for a relationship.”
“Here’s your coffee.” Ali set them down. “I assume this is for Meg?” She set the bag with the muffin on the edge of the table. “I gave her extra butter.”
Erica stiffened. “Who’s Meg?”
Chapter 46
Meg
I positioned myself so I was hidden by the shelf but could still see out the window. My phone pinged.
Rod:
She came for a job interview.
They’re going for coffee.
Zak walked across the street with a pretty woman in her early thirties. At least, she looked pretty from behind—tall and slim, wearing a puffy white vest over a dark green pullover. She used her sunglasses to push her long dark hair off her face as Zak held the door to the coffee shop for her.
I heard a whimper and realized it was me.
Gross.
I put on Aretha Franklin and checked the online orders, only to find that Georgia had already filled the ones that could be shipped directly from our suppliers. She’d also written a few posts thanking everyone for their support while she was off work and promised to be back soon.
I wasn’t mad or even disappointed, but I did feel superfluous.
Thankfully, a couple came in with questions about one of the upcoming workshops, which distracted me.
I didn’t see Zak and Erica come back, but the door jangled, and Zak stepped in far enough to say, “Roddie said you were hungry. They only had cranberry muffins.” He offered the bag.
“Oh.” I came forward. “Thanks.” I looked past him, but didn’t see anyone else.
“Erica’s on her way to the ferry. I have to get back to Dad. You got time later? I’ll see if I can find someone to sit with him. Buy you dinner?”
“I thought you just did,” I said lamely, lifting the bag.
My stomach felt as though I’d swallowed curdled milk. There was no way I’d be able to choke down this muffin. I wanted to ask if we were going on a date or breaking up, but we weren’t really together so all I said was, “Text me.”
He nodded without smiling and went into the antique shop.
Chapter 47
Meg
We met at a high-end bistro downtown near the water, one with comfortable chairs and a date-night ambiance. The tables held candles and fresh flowers, and the menus came in leather folders. Zak held my chair.
My hands were cold and clammy. My pulse pounded in my ears.
“Who’s with your dad?” I asked, trying to break the ice.
“Zara,” he said in a clipped tone. His movements were stiff as he sat across from me. He wasn’t his usual flippant self. When the server asked if we wanted drinks, he looked at me like it was one decision too many.
