Page 7 of Service Included

The eleventh bin contained extension cords, timers, and holiday lights, but she owned all the outdoor decorations she wanted. She hated hanging them in the dark rain of November, although if there was a man in her life, maybe he’d want to hang more lights than she owned. Holiday decorations sometimes made her think of an elaborate male plumage ritual, but that didn’t mean she didn’t appreciate a well-hung display.

Nico was probably well hung.

Stop right there.

She snapped the lid back on the bin. Maybe there were new or different dating websites that she hadn’t yet tried. She could sign up—

No. No online dating. Not even for help installing Christmas lights.

When she returned to Seattle, she’d beg her friend Aleesha to remind her exactly why she’d deleted the match sites. Living in adjacent town houses with daughters the same age, they’d become even closer during the pandemic, when they’d removed the fence that separated their tiny front patios to create one legit-sized front yard. Aleesha cared about decorations a lot more than Megan did.

Sorting the garage. There’s so much yard decor.

Want more Xmas lights? Inflatables?

Aleesha

Heck yeah.

There’s a huge Grinch. Sure?

Aleesha

I'll take it all.

Okay.

No idea where they were going to put this stuff, but at least it wouldn’t need bookshelf space. As she attached a sticky note with her name to the bins, a male voice on the other side of the house rumbled indistinctly.He’s not coming to the garage, so stay focused.

Her phone vibrated again. In the hierarchy of distractions, at least texting with Aleesha could happen while also checking box contents.

Aleesha

Crazy hot here. Like Texas. Ugh, my hair is wrecked. How’s Eugene?

Same, no A/C.

When she’d bought her town house three years ago, she hadn’t anticipated that the changing climate would make her so grateful for the measly window air conditioners that came with it.

The real sizzle is the movers.

Her friend sent a picture of a mostly forgotten actress putting her finger on her chin like she was asking a question.

Total setup. Son of my mom’s friend. Hot, Greek, and about 27 years old.

Aleesha

That woman defies description.

She does.

Aleesha

I aspire.

I don’t.

Maybe that second part was a bit of a lie, but Megan had no idea how she could ever be as outrageous or as focused or as partnered as her own mother and still be the mom Callie needed. Her own mother had nailed it, but she felt like she was tapping on a wall with a knuckle, looking for a stud, and completely unable to hear the difference between drywall and support.

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