Page 41 of Pierced Pages
“She’s not a date. I told you. I’m bringing a friend.”
Was she?
That kiss last Sunday said otherwise.
Although nothing had actually been said about it. Nothing had been said about anything, really. Morgan hadn’t spoken to Danielle since that afternoon last weekend. As far as she knew, that could have freaked Danielle out enough not to come to this wedding with her anymore. Which would be a shame for the glaring reason that Morgan would miss having her there, but also since she’d just made something she was looking forward to giving Danielle specifically for the occasion.
“A friend doesn’t make your cheeks turn pink like that,” Felicia said. “And you’re even paler than me, so don’t even think you can get away with hiding that.”
“I’m not hiding anything,” Morgan said. “We just have… an arrangement. That’s all. She’s coming to make a stressful situation more bearable, and I’ve promised her your high-class catering.”
“Morgan,” Felicia said in a firm voice. “She is not coming to my wedding for the food.”
“You sound like Jen.”
“Jen is a smart woman,” Felicia said. “Now tell me what’s really going on with you and this woman.”
Morgan took a deep breath. She couldn’t lie to her sister. Never could. They’d had their differences over the years, mostly where their mom was concerned, but they’d always been honest with each other.
“Morgan! You’re up!”
Saved by a shouting sorority sister.
“Can’t talk, gotta bowl,” she said in a singsong voice as she walked away from the table.
“Fine,” Felicia said. “But I’ll still be here when you get back!”
Morgan found her bright orange ball with the finger holes spaced too far from the thumb hole for her liking. She lifted the ball and lined up on the lane. With her eyes aimed at the arrow she wanted, she took three steps and slid on the fourth. Then, she watched as the ball rolled down the lane and just missed the head pin.
“Awww,” the gathered women said in unison.
“I thought you had that!”
“Almost!”
Morgan smiled and nodded at them as she waited for her ball to return. During the next shot, she lined up in the same spot and purposely missed the head pin again.
She passed through the gauntlet of encouragement and walked back to her table. Felicia was still sitting there, as promised.
Felicia poured herself another beer while Morgan sat across from her. “So. Back to business. Tell me all about this woman who makes you blush.”
Morgan decided against arguing that Danielle didn’t make her blush. That would be an obvious lie at this point.
“She’s a teacher. Kind and sweet. I met her when she came over to keep me company at Kim’s recommitment ceremony,” Morgan said. “And yes, she’s pretty. But, like I said, we’re friends. Nothing else.”
“Why? She’s kind and sweet and pretty. Why aren’t you dating her?”
“My stance on relationships still stands.”
Felicia rolled her eyes. “You can’t let Mom ruin everything. This is about you.”
“It’s not just about Mom,” she argued. “It’s about everything. Mom, the money, commitment… all of it.”
“I still say you can overcome everything.” She shrugged. “I did.”
Morgan held back from reminding Felicia that their mother had never asked her to be something she wasn’t, so it was easier for her to ignore the crappiness and carry on with her life.
But she wasn’t wrong. Morgan had been thinking a lot that week. Ever since that kiss she couldn’t get out of her head. If she really wanted to, and if she found the right person who wouldn’t lose their mind over the money situation, she was pretty sure she could get past all of her relationship objections. Eventually.
