When Megs swiped up on her phone, she paused. It was open to her last texts with Haley earlier in the week. She swiped back to her messages and found one from Bobbi, two from her soon-to-be-roommate Neely, and one from her mom.
How was the train? Text when you’re finished with your test - break a leg!
Megs openedthe passenger door of her car and set her bag on the floor, then placed her certificate on the seat.
I passed! Train was lovely until it broke down. Soooo much to fill you in on. Heading home now
Megs closed the door,rounded the car and got it behind the wheel. She’d barely started the car when her phone buzzed. This time with a message from Haley.
Hey! Can you stop by Juicy real quick on your way home? I need your help with something.
Megs sighed,her eyes already starting to droop.
I'm beat, Hales. Can it wait ‘til tomorrow?
She hadher last shift at Green Mountain, and then she could pop over.
Pleaseeee, just for a second! It's important. Promise! ??
Megs groaned and typed.
Fiiiiine. See you in twenty-five
Megs'pumped the music to keep her from dozing as she drove toward Sammy’s.Had that day really happened?It felt like a week had passed since she’d woken up that morning. Or she’d dreamt all of it and she wasaboutto wake up. She wouldn’t put that past her.
At ten o’clock that morning she’d gotten on the Rambler, and after that? She recalled Gideon finding her in the trees and offering to walk down with her, then hailing a tractor like it was a taxi cab and holding her on his lap the two miles into town.
She couldn’t stop thinking of his hands around her waist. Of his chest tightening against her back. They’d spent hours talking, and it hadn’t been enough. She still had a thousand questions for him, and when she pulled up to Sammy’s to get her milkshake on her way home, she scanned the diner no less than five times hoping she’d catch him sitting in a booth.
When she hopped back into the car, she thought of Oscar and the other contestants. She considered texting Gideon to ask if they’d gotten down safely. Justifiable since she didn’t have any of the other’s contact information. But she knew in her heart the only reason she’d be texting was to talk to him.I’m trying to keep things professional.
She had to stop. She couldn’t keep pushing the boundaries or she’d ruin any chance she had of something happening after this semester. If she even still had a chance.
The shake gave her a much-needed sugar boost, and by the time she finally pulled up and parked in front of Juicy, her head didn’t feel like an inflated balloon. Megs frowned as she got out of the car. The lights were off in the front of the shop. She pulled out her phone and texted Haley.
I’m here, did I miss you?
In the back. Front door’s open
Megs sighed.Very trusting of her. Yes, it was Sugar Creek, but anyone could’ve walked in and she wouldn’t have been the wiser. Unless she installed cameras recently? Megs scanned the front entrance for any security equipment, but didn’t find any.
Megs pulled open the door and stepped inside, then jumped out of her skin as the room erupted.
“Surprise!”
Her insides felt like a shaken bottle of champagne and she momentarily forgot to breathe as her mind raced to make sense of what she was seeing. There was her mom and Haley, along with a sea of smiling faces. Colleen from the hair salon, Frank, and friends from karaoke. This was—
“A surprise party?” Megs’ eyes landed on her mom. “You threw me a surprise party?” She scanned the room and saw gold balloons, looped streamers, and a table piled with appetizers and a three-tiered cupcake stand.
Tears filled her eyes and made everything swim as Haley ran forward and pulled her into a hug. “Congrats!”
Sylvia shooed Haley out of the way and cupped Megs’ face between her hands. “I know this wasn’t your first choice, and I’m so proud of you.”
Megs hugged her, still too overwhelmed to speak. She’d seen pictures of Bobbi’s graduation party from film school even though she hadn’t been able to attend because of COVID. She’d been to Haley’s grand opening, her mother’s engagement party, weddings and bachelorette parties for friends, even one baby shower already, but in the last seven years, she hadn’t been celebrated.
Not that she felt she’d accomplished anything celebration worthy, she hadn’t. She’d dropped out of everything she’d started, and the only jobs she’d gotten were because of people she’d grown up with. Truth be told, the job she was about to start was because of her mom’s efforts, not hers. But she had sacrificed for this certification. She’d been willing to give up the audiobook competition for it,and that was a step she’d never taken before.
Maybe three weekends of her life wasn’t the grandest accomplishment, but being willing to do it when it hadn’t felt exciting? She didn’t want to admit to anyone normal how much grit that had taken.
