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She smiled. “Best decision I’ve made in a long time.”
Handing my ticket to the valet, I watched her until she turned the corner. This was only our first date, and I’d see her again in two nights, but I felt the loss of her when she was no longer in sight.
10
CELIA
Megan called before I’d even had my first cup of coffee, which was surprising since she wasn’t a morning person. “Everything okay?”
“No, everything is not okay. All I got was a measly text last night saying the date was good,” she complained. “Get dressed and meet me at Broad Street Coffee. I want the full story, face-to-face, so I’ll know if you’re leaving anything out.”
I put the empty mug back in the cabinet. “In the mood for a French toast latte?”
“Only if it comes with a big serving of gossip. I’m leaving in ten, so get your butt moving.”
I was laughing when she disconnected, which was a great way to start the day. Enjoying my favorite iced latte while having girl talk with my bestie would only make it better. Especially since I finally had something good to share after all the bad.
Glancing outside, I was tempted by the sunny sky to walk the mile down the road to the coffee shop. I quickly changed clothes, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and headed out so Megan didn’t need to wait too long for me.
The walk was great, with a breeze off the ocean. I felt reinvigorated when I walked inside.
Megan had a table and two lattes by the time I got there. She pointed at the chair across from her. “Sit. Talk.”
“I see I’m getting bossy bestie this morning,” I teased before taking a sip.
“No, I’m in nosy best friend mode because you made me wait all night for details.”
“That’s fair.” I grinned at her over the rim of my cup. “The strange part was that it was easy. The conversation flowed without the usual first-date awkwardness. He was charming but also really listened. Asked for my recommendation on the wine and food, then actually took it and thanked me after because he enjoyed it all. Ordered me dessert to take home since I was too full to eat it there.”
“The apple tarte tatin?”
I nodded.
“The hot lawyer has moves.”
“Except it didn’t feel like he was playing games,” I murmured, tightening my grip on my latte. “I told him it was one of my favorite desserts, and he wanted me to have it. Simple as that.”
“Even better.”
It really was. “He’s a good kisser, too.”
“Celia Gardner,” she gasped, eyes widening.
I took my maiden name back in the divorce, and I still enjoyed hearing it even when my best friend was full-on naming me to make a point.
“Should I have mentioned that in my text?”
“Absolutely.”
We dissolved into giggles, the same as we had gossiping about boys as teenagers. It felt nice, like proof that I’d finally found myself again after everything Harrison had put me through.
“The kiss was quick, almost over before it began,” I added, pressing my fingers to my lips. “But I can still feel it.”
“Wow,” she breathed. “Please tell me you’re going to see him again.”
“Thursday.”
She did a little dance in her seat. “Drink your latte. Then you can panic about what you’re wearing.”
