Page 36 of Meant to Be

“Well. We were wrong about him…. He’s amazing…and doing really exciting things,” she said.

It felt like a dig, especially when she launched into this whole spiel about his PhD in molecular biology and his dream of finding a cure for cancer.

“Well. I guess we were right aboutonething,” I quipped, doing my damnedest to be a good sport.

“What’s that?” she said.

“That dude reallyissmarter than me,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound bitter.

She didn’t refute my statement, which made me feel worse—and even more stupid. I also couldn’t help feeling that I’d been duped into thinking that Margaret loved me more than she really had.

“Are you okay?” she said.

“Oh yeah,” I said. “Totally. This is great news. Congratulations, Mags.”

“Thank you, Joe.”

“Give Toby my best as well. He’s a very lucky guy.”

“Don’t, Joe—”

“What? It’s true. Good for him.”

“Okay, Joe,” she said with a sigh. “I just wanted you to know—and hear it from me—”

“Yeah. Yeah. Thanks, Margaret. I appreciate it….”

“You’re welcome.”

“So, have you set a wedding date? Will I be invited?” I said with a nervous laugh.

“No date yet. And I don’t know about the invite….” she said. “Toby wants us all to be friends…but I’m not sure I can do that—”

“Yeah. Well. Either way. This is great news. Really great. I’m glad you’re happy.”

“Do you mean that, Joe?” she said.

“Of course,” I said, my tone softening.

“How about you? Areyouhappy?” she asked.

“Oh, you know me,” I said with a laugh. “Happy enough.”

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