Page 26 of Second Chances
Megan couldn’t lie to him. She had allowed him to think she owned the house, and when he assumed that she owned the business, she didn’t correct him either. But she knew that it would all unravel around her, like an old worn sweater. When she thought that she would never see Josh again, it seemed okay to pretend to be someone else. Now, it just seemed like lying – because well, it was.
“This isn’t my—-”
“She’s scared of heights,” Charlotte interrupted. “That’s why she doesn’t ski.”
Shit.
Megan felt backed into a corner, her eyes darted between Josh and Charlotte, trying to figure out how to delicately get out of the situation without losing face with either of them.
“Good powder days can be few and far between, so when we get a good dumping, you don’t wait on your friends. You’ve gotta get out there and get ‘the goods’ before it gets all tracked out.”
Megan felt like Josh had just spoken another language but was still trying to figure out how to tell him the truth without betraying Charlotte, so she just nodded.
Charlotte set down her crusty garlic bread on her side plate. “How’s the snowpack up there right now?”
“Truthfully, I’ve got no idea,” Josh replied.
“Now, there’s something that doesn’t make sense either. A Rapidian who doesn’t know the depth of the snow this close to the season?”
“I don’t have much time for skiing these days,” Josh said, sopping up the sauce on his plate with his bread. “Where did you say you’re from?” he asked.
“Same place as Megan,” Charlotte replied without missing a beat.
“Haven’t heard one of us locals referred to as a Rapidian by an outsider before.”
“Outsider?” Charlotte scoffed.
“No offense, Miss. It’s just that the people on this side of the bridge don’t really mix with the year-round folks.”
“When did you move here?” Charlotte asked.
“How do you know I’m not a born and raised Rapidian?” Josh replied.
“Just a hunch,” Charlotte leaned in, challenging Josh.
“You’re right. I moved here when I was twenty.”
Charlotte sat back in her chair, Megan could tell that she was enjoying her interrogation. “Twenty. Why the hell does someone move here when they’re twenty?”
“My college girlfriend grew up here. I followed her here.”
“Who is she?” Charlotte grilled him.
“She’s gone,” Josh replied quietly.
“Oh. Well, that’s young love for you – and you were left here?”
“I like it here.”
Megan saw the sadness in Josh’s eyes and felt her chest constricting, she wanted to reach out and comfort the man, but instead cleared her throat. “Who’s ready for dessert?”
All three seemed to welcome the distraction and change in subject. “Only if it’s your signature brownies,” Charlotte yelled as Meg slid into the kitchen.
The brownies had come out of the oven only minutes before Josh’s arrival and were still warm inside. She cut them into small squares and topped them with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. She sprinkled the dish with fresh grated dark chocolate and confectioner’s sugar.
She set the plates down on the table and caught Josh’s eyes quickly glance away from her chest. She felt her ears burn and her hands started to shake.
“Megan, I don’t want to talk business at the table, but I want you to know that the guys worked overtime today, and we are back on schedule. We should have all of the heating, plumbing, and electrical work done by Friday and the drywallers have agreed to come in on the weekend.”
