“Oh isn’t that precious,” Jenna coos. “I hear he takes them out for pizza afterward.”
Lainey stands to toss her empty bottle in the recycling bin, pushing out her bottom lip in a pout. “That’s so adorable.”
“Shut up you two, we’re just friends.” I think.
“Poor, poor, Meg. A handsome, thoughtful, successful doctor is spending every free second with you.”
“Did you know Meg got a flat tire on the way to work the other morning? Stranded on the side of the road in rush hour traffic. Could have called AAA, could have called me, but guess who came to her rescue?”
I shove Jenna’s shoulder roughly. “Like either of you assholes know how to change a tire.”
“Why do you think the man decided on switching to twenty-four hour shifts? The suffering is worth it when he can be available for Meg’s every beck and call.”
My head spins at Lainey’s comment. “What?”
Jenna reaches for my arm, swiveling in her seat as she turns to face Lainey. “Is that true?”
Lainey shrugs. “Well, that’s what Ryan said. He did it the week of Jackson’s first T-ball game, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to make many of them. I thought you knew?”
I didn’t know. I most definitely didn’t know.
Jenna claps her hands together, tucking them under her chin as she grins. “He’s in looooove.”
“Shut up,” I hiss.
“Alright, gut check time.” Lainey leans over Jenna’s lap, grabbing my forearm and tugging it to her. “How does that make you feel? Are you panicked and ready to run, or does that make you all warm and happy inside?”
The vibration of my phone steals my attention, and I quickly pull it up and swipe, seeing Jim’s response.
Jim: I’d love to have dinner with you guys. What night were you thinking?
My fingers fly across the screen.
Me: Are you free tomorrow? My mom makes this amazing baked ziti, I’ll ask her for the recipe.
His response is immediate.
Jim: Sounds perfect. I’ll bring the wine. Looking forward to seeing you, Megan.
I’m unable to stop the butterflies in my belly, or the smile that crosses my face.
“If I didn’t know any better,” Jenna says, elbowing me in the side. “I think our Meg is in love.”
Chapter Thirteen
Ishould have found a reason to cancel dinner plans for tonight.
Peeking over my shoulder at the microwave clock, I curse under my breath at the time. Jim will be here any moment, and I wanted him to arrive at the same time I pulled dinner out of the oven. I want him to come home to a hot meal and be able to relax, not have to wait an hour with a growling stomach.
I intended to leave work early. My bags were packed, ready to throw over my shoulder to leave the office when a last-minute call rang through on my desk phone. Leaving late meant I picked up Jackson late, and we ran to the grocery store fifteen minutes later than I had planned, which made us hit rush hour traffic and put us home so much later than I had anticipated.
“Jim’s here!” Jackson squeals just as a knock comes through the door. He jumps up from his spot on the floor by his Lego tower, running across the living room so fast his cotton socks slip with each excited step. He fumbles the doorknob with both hands, swinging it open so wide the door slams against the wall with a thud, the sound making my shoulders flinch.
“Jim!” Jackson shouts, and I don’t even need to turn around to know how it will play out. I can tell by his screeches that Jim has him up in the air, tickling his sides before setting him downand pretending to lay him out in a full body tackle. For the first time since we arrived home, a smile crosses my face and I push out a puff of laughter through my nose.
“Do you want to come see my Lego tower?”
“One second, buddy,” Jim grunts as he stands, the crumple of a paper bag sounding as he comes closer to the kitchen. “Let me go talk to your mom for a minute then you can show me what you’re working on, deal?”
