Page 85 of Pierced Pages
“I haven’t been out much since the divorce. This feels like a nice baby step. In addition to reading some good books and getting to know you all better.”
“It’s been a baby step for me, too,” Danielle said. “Glad we can take it together.”
She’d been surprised by how much she really enjoyed meeting with these women every month. This was only their third meeting, but it felt so comfortable to be around them. And, like she’d told Jessica, it was a nice baby step for her to do more things for herself apart from Lila.
“Where did you get those earrings?” Jessica asked, peering at Danielle’s ears on display with her hair pulled back in a low ponytail. “They’re beautiful.”
“Thanks,” Danielle said. “Morgan made them for me.”
It was only her second time wearing them, and they paired perfectly with the brown T-shirt she bought specifically to wear with them.
“Wow, she’s talented.” Jessica slipped her purse over one shoulder. “Well, I guess I’ll see you at Lila’s lesson next week.”
Danielle grabbed her tote bag as Gerri walked up beside her.
“Ready?”
“Yup,” Danielle said. She’d ridden to the meeting with Gerri, since they’d taken turns carpooling each month. “Let me grab a coffee on the way out.”
When they exited the meeting room in the back of the bookshop, Danielle realized she didn’t need to place an order after all.
“What are you doing here?” she said in a tone that fully expressed her excitement. She pulled out the chair in front of her favorite coffee drink, a turtle-flavored concoction blended with ice, waiting for her on the table.
“Picking you up,” Morgan said. “Figured I’d surprise you.”
“If you’ve got this,” Gerri said with a hand on Morgan’s shoulder, “I’m going to head out.”
“Thanks, Gerri,” Danielle said as her friend left. Then she turned her attention back to Morgan. “Have I mentioned how much I love your surprises?”
“No, but I’m glad it’s not too much.”
It definitely wasn’t too much. Morgan was finding plenty of ways to fit her spontaneity into Danielle and Lila’s lives, and their lives were blending well so far. So well, in fact, that Danielle had a little surprise for Morgan.
“I’m actually extra glad you’re here,” Danielle said.
“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”
Danielle dug in her purse and pulled out a single silver key. “I wanted to give you this.” She slid the key across the table.
Morgan raised a brow inquisitively. “What’s that for?”
“I know we’ve talked about taking things slow, with Lila, and I still want to do that,” she said. “But I want you to have a key to my apartment. I want you to know you’re always welcome there.”
Morgan looked up from the key on the table to Danielle. Her eyes glistened with what looked like gratitude. “Danielle… are you sure?”
Danielle laughed. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
“And I’ve never been happier with a gift in my life.” Morgan held up the key and waved it in the air a bit. “I’ll have to give you one for my place, too. Reginald already likes you, so no problem there.”
Danielle fondly recalled her meetings with Morgan’s big, temperamental cat. He’d seemed unhappy with their first meeting and pouted across the room the whole time she was there. But since then, he’d actually hopped on the couch to sit with her a couple of times.
“This feels… I don’t know,” Danielle said. “Big?”
“It is big. I think?” Morgan put the key in her pocket. “Big, but still slow. I’m ready to go at whatever pace you are.”
“Well, I hope you use that key. I’m looking forward to seeing you around as much as possible.”
Morgan leaned over the table to give Danielle a quick kiss that made Danielle’s knees weak as she lifted from her chair to meet her girlfriend. She hoped she would never lose that feeling.
