“I do like him.” Meredith leaned into him, joyous in a way Jonah hadn’t seen for a long time. It looked great on her. “He’s obviously very wise, too, and discerning. Also cute. And…” She looked at Connor. “He’s the best secretary I ever had.”
“Shut it, boss.” He leaned in and gave her a light kiss.
“Do you mind?” Jonah demanded. “My heart’s broken here.”
“Only because, once again, you’re an idiot,” Meredith said blithely. “Blind, clueless, and dumb.”
“Thank you, sweet sister. Care to enlighten me?”
She put the green beans down and leaned closer to him. “Shelovesyou.”
Jonah’s mouth dropped just like Atlas, who wanted food.
“I mean it!” Meredith insisted. “She sacrificed a great guy, a true love, and an adorable child foryourhappiness.”
Jonah considered that, but…why would she? “That doesn’t make sense. Why not just take the package and be happy?”
“Because shelovesyou,” Meredith said again. “She wantsyouto be happy. She wantsyouto have a full life. She wantsyouto win the lottery of love. And she’s willing to walk away so you have a chance for that. Sorry, but that’s love.”
A chill danced up Jonah’s spine. “You really think so?”
“I know so,” she said with that annoying confidence she had when they were both studying math at the kitchen table and she was doing calculus rings around him.
“What should I do?”
Connor airplaned another bite into Atlas’s mouth. “Go get your girl,” he said quietly.
“Go get…”
“Oh, yes!” Meredith practically cooed. “You need a good ‘run to the gate at the airport’ scene. You know, when they’re going two different ways on those moving things, admitting they were wrong?—”
“And he has to jump over security and throw himself on the mercy of some nasty flight attendant and win the day?” Connor added. “That’s the best.”
“And everyone cheers!” Meredith looked at Connor with unabashed adoration. “Doesn’t it just make you want to watch a rom-com right this minute?”
“Would you two hold up for a second?” Jonah stood. “How do I know when she’s going to the airport?”
They looked at each other and started laughing.
“I told you,” she whispered. “He’s not smart but he can cook.”
“Meredith!” Jonah hit the counter loud enough to startle Atlas. “I’m sorry, bud, but I’m dying here.”
Connor held up a hand in apology. “You’re right, man. We’re kidding. Go get your girl.”
“Now?”
“Don’t wait,” Meredith said. “Go drive to her house?—”
“She’s not there.” He straightened as the idea hit, the place, the moment, the very possibility. “But I know where she is.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” Meredith asked. “And don’t forget a good speech. You got to bring the audience to their feet and the girl to her knees.”
“A speech?” He stared at Atlas. “I don’t need a speech. I need my wingman. Come on, Atlas. We’re going to Sunset Shores.”
“What’s that?” Meredith asked.
“An old age home with a built-in audience, a dance floor, and music where she teaches cute old people to waltz.” Heunsnapped Atlas’s belt. “Put that in your rom-com pipe and smoke it.”
