“He’s relentless.” It was impressive, really, but she couldn’t figure out why he was so adamant she stay.
Gideon leaned against the edge of the booth and played with the lid of his soda cup. His hair fell over his forehead, and Megs thought about how it had done that right before he kissed her in the parking lot.
“He’s always been that way. It’s good and bad, I guess.” Gideon seemed to disappear for a moment, lost in thought. Then he glanced at her tray. “You didn’t quite finish half this time.”
Megs feigned offense. “It’s only been three hours since I had lunch.”
“Then why did you come?” His eyes locked onto hers as a slow smile started at the corner of his mouth.
Megs swallowed hard and stood, taking her trash to the receptacle. “I told you, I like the food.” She took one more napkin and wiped off her fingers, then took a final drink of her shake and dropped it in the bin.
"Off the record?” Gideon’s voice was low, and Megs looked up as her heart raced. Gideon pushed off the bench and straightened. “You didn’t seem nervous last night. I think you made a good impression.”
Megs’ lips twitched. “Off the record . . . thanks.”
The afternoon sunpeeked through the curtains. Megs stood there in her childhood bedroom, still dressed in her coffee-stained apron and worn-out sneakers. Her shift at the coffee shop had been busier than usual. It was only two o’clock and already exhaustion seeped into her muscles. She wanted to drop onto the bed and close her eyes, but she’d been trying to line up apartment tours for a few days, and this was the best option.
Kicking off her sneakers, she reached for a pair of comfortable leggings and a cozy sweater to change into. It still wasn’t freezing out, but there was a nip in the air that required something more than a t-shirt.
Megs finished dressing, grabbed her keys and waist bag, and emerged from her room. Her mom was hunched over, rifling through her purse in the living room with her coat slung over the end of the couch.
"You okay?" Megs asked as she searched for her black flats.
“Mmhmm, I’m almost ready.” Sylvia adjusted her glasses on her nose.
Megs paused. “Ready for what?” She couldn’t remember why her mom was home this early on a weekday in the first place. Auditions were over, and she hadn’t mentioned any other changes to her regular schedule.
“For the apartment tours.” Sylvia held out her hands, looking at her as if Megs was the crazy one.
Megs bit her lip. She’d told her mom that she was going, but had she invited her? "I was actually planning on going by myself."
"Really?" Her mother’s face fell. Megs couldn't help but notice the hurt flickering there.
“Mom, I’m sorry, I didn’t think you’d want to come along—”
“Why wouldn’t I want to come along? It’s your first time—”
“No, it’s not my first time.” Megs bent over and pulled her flats from the low shelf beside the door. “I found my own apartment in Chicago.”
“We looked online together.”
“I know, Mom. I’m not saying you didn’t help, I’m just saying I’m capable of finding a place.”
Sylvia pulled her coat off the couch and shook it out. “I wasn’t saying you weren’t capable.”
Megs stood and sighed. “Mom. I’m twenty-five, and I know I haven’t done much to inspire confidence in my ability to adult, but—”
“Megs, it’s not about that! You’re my only daughter at home, and I just wanted to help.”
Megs pursed her lips. “Fine. Let’s go.”
“Megs—”
“Just get in the car please!” Megs opened the door and stalked out onto the landing.
Megs descended the steps and crossed the driveway, then slid into the driver’s seat and turned on the car. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of sun-warmed leather upholstery mixed with the faint smell of coffee that still clung to her from her morning shift.
Sylvia followed a few seconds later and climbed into the passenger seat. “Well. That was a new experience.”
