Page 19 of Toy Boy

We look at each other, and smile.

“Alright, I did.”

I scoop up a forkful of rice and beans and pop it into my mouth, the heat of the subtle spices filling it with the most incredible flavours. Dean really does do the best pub food.

“How’s the café doing?”

Laney’s quick change of subject is welcome, if not a little forced, because she knows how the café is doing. But I’m happy to talk about anything other than Scott, I don’t even want to think about him anymore.

“It’s doing fine. Better than fine, actually, thanks to this warm weather. The kids are doing a great job with the menu, we’ve got a steady stream of regulars… Yeah. It’s all good.”

“So, everything’s going great as far as your career’s concerned…”

She leaves another sentence unfinished, and I give her the side-eye, because I know she’s about to launch into yet another conversation I don’t want to have. I can feel it coming.

“Look, Megan, have you thought about…?” Again, she can’t finish a sentence, and I know why. She knows the reaction she’s going to get if she finishes that one.

“Have I thought about what?”

I know exactly what she’s going to say.

“About, maybe, you know? Dating again?”

“Dating?” Here we go. “No. I haven’t. I’m happy with things the way they are.”

“Do you not get lonely sometimes?”

“Without a man, you mean?”

“That’s not what I said…”

“It’s what you meant.”

“Alright then. Do you not miss having a man in your life?”

“No.”

“That’s it? No?”

“I have friends, Laney. I have a business that keeps me busy. I have Josh and Natalie, and an aggravating sister that nags continuously.”

“You’re hilarious.”

I smile at her as I take a sip of gin and tonic. “I’m not lonely.”

“Aren’t you?”

“Is it so hard to believe?”

“No, but…”

“But, what? Laney, seriously, I don’t need a man to make me happy, okay? My home, my business, Josh, even you – all ofthatmakes me happy.”

“I just worry that what happened with Scott… I worry that it’s made you too wary of men.”

“It’s made me less likely to trust someone, if that’s what you mean. But that isn’t exactly a bad thing, is it? It just means I won’t jump into another relationship quite so quickly.”

“There’s taking your time, and there’s stalling completely.”

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