Page 58 of Morning Glory Girl
A giddy, bubbly feeling filled me, and I tilted my head to grin at him. He was so sweet. I didn’t feel like I deserved it.
How’d you know?I wanted to ask.You didn’t know anything about me yet…But I left those questions unspoken. Instead, I pulled his face down to mine and kissed his lips. He’d shaved that morning, and it always made his lips feel super soft.
“I’m having a great summer, too,” I whispered.
On our way back to the Edgartown side of the island from the beach, I knew the moment I got service back because my phone vibrated several times in my bag. I took it out to check.
Luke
Hey Val, I’m sorry to ask, but any chance you’re free this evening? My parents are leaving in a few hours and Jeremiah and I got a last-minute opportunity for a dinner meeting with a potential new client. No worries if not, I know it’s a Saturday and I’m sure you have plans.
I rolled my lips through my teeth. Two of Max’s friends from business school were on the island this weekend, and he’d invited me to join them for dinner tonight. I felt torn. What would Luke do if he couldn’t find someone to watch Luna? Luke had mentioned that Jeremiah’s wife Francesca watched Luna sometimes, but she was probably working an event tonight. He’d likely just have Jeremiah take the meeting. Jeremiah would do a great job, I had no doubt, but I had enough experience with client interactions to know it would be infinitely better if they were both there.
Hopefully Max wouldn’t mind if his dinner with his friends was just a guys’ night.
Val
What time should I come over?
Luke responded immediately.
Luke
6:30? Reservation is at 7. Thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver.
Val
I just hope Luna didn’t get too far ahead of me in Magic Tree House. I wanna know what happens.
He replied with a bunch of laughing emojis. My stomach filled with excitement. Luna and I could eat dinner on the deck, watch a show, do some reading, and then I’d probably have an hour to write before Luke got home.
When we got back to Max’s apartment, I said, “I actually can’t make it to dinner tonight. Luke needs someone to watch Luna last minute.”
Irritation flashed across his face. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, he has a client dinner.”
Max’s lips pressed into a thin line.
I felt the need to justify it further. “He usually pays me time and a half when I work off-hours. I thought you wouldn’t mind because now tonight can just be a guys’ thing with your friends?”
Max blew a breath out through his teeth. “Okay,” he said, resigned. “I still don’t understand why you took that job this summer. Aren’t you still getting a check from the firm?”
For now.
“I am, but I guess I didn’t want to be dependent on it. I wanted to have the option to extend the leave, even if it was unpaid, or…” My body urged me to hold back.
“Or what?”
I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “Or…if I quit altogether, I’ll need money for health insurance and living costs. I don’t want to plow through my savings.”
Max nodded, brow furrowed somewhere between surprise and concern. “I didn’t know you were considering quitting altogether.”
“I know. I’m still not sure what I want to do.” Even as I said it, it felt like a lie. “I just wanted to have options, if that makes sense.”
“It does.” His lip quirked up and his eyes softened. “I just wish it didn’t mean I got to spend less time with you. I’m greedy when it comes to you.” As he said it, he reached for me.
I closed the gap between us and let him wrap his arms around my waist.Does this mean he’d be cool with it if I quit?I decided not to ask.
