Page 88 of Kiss Me Forever

Chapter Twenty-Three

Megan

Our girlie get-togethertook place one week later. We were gathering at Reese's apartment.

On the way there, I kept calling Aunt Dana. We hadn’t caught up in a while. She called me back just as I arrived in front of Reese’s building, and I sat down on a bench next to the entrance to answer.

“Darling girl, I’m so sorry. I heard the phone but couldn’t find it. I’d left it in the bathroom. Tell me everything. How are the preparations for the competition going?”

“It’s taking up a lot of hours, but I do manage to have fun in between.”

“That’s good. It’s important to take breaks. What are you doing tonight?”

I took in a deep breath, preparing myself. I knew she’d disapprove.

“I’m meeting with two of Luke’s cousins and his brothers’ fiancées. We’re going to brainstorm for a bachelorette party.”

“You’re that close to your boss? Be careful, Megan.”

“Actually, Luke and I are dating.”

She inhaled sharply. “Oh, Megan. That’s not right, girl.”

“He’s a good man.”

“He’s your boss.” I knew what she was thinking, and normally I’d agree, but it wasn’t like that, and I didn’t know how to make her understand.

“Only until Christmas. My internship ends then.”

We hadn’t spoken about what would happen afterward, to my chagrin. I was planning to apply to jobs everywhere and see what panned out.

“Child, what did I always teach you?” Her voice was dripping with disappointment. “First build a career, then worry about a man.”

“I am building a career. I can do both at once.” I knew my aunt meant well, and I didn’t want to disrespect her, but I didn’t like being scolded like a child. “I only wanted to tell you because I don’t like keeping things from you.”

“I appreciate that. Be careful. I worry about you, you know.”

“I love you. I’ve got to go, Aunt Dana. They’re waiting for me.”

She didn’t even attempt to continue the conversation, which clearly meant she was very upset. My heart was heavy when I hung up. I hated to disappoint her, but I truly felt like I was doing the right thing, and I had to live my life the way I saw fit, even if I made mistakes. That was what it was all about, right?

I got up, heading inside the building. It reminded me of Luke’s—it was fancy, with black floors and metal accents on all the fixtures. This one even had postmodernist paintings hanging on the walls.

To my dismay, I was the last one to arrive. I wasn’t sure how we were going to brainstorm about the bachelorette party because Lexi was here as well. Currently we were all in the living room, which was decorated in an eclectic style. My favorite was an antique trunk that served as TV console, as well as an egg-shaped swing hanging from the ceiling. A huge, fluffy pink rug was in the center of the room between two couches. The dining area wasn’t big, but the kitchen and bar areas were enormous. It all looked warm and welcoming.

"This is a beautiful place," I told Reese, "and it's so big."

"It is. It has five rooms. I've got my bedroom, a guest room, and a workout room." Then her eyes clouded. "And one that’s still empty."

"Oh?"

"I bought this before, when I got engaged. I thought we were going to live here, and that was going to be the baby’s room. I hoped we were going to start trying after we married. But anyway, now it's empty, and I'm not entirely sure what to do with it." The hurt in her eyes was clear. I understood why Luke was so angry at her ex and the press that continued to hound her.

"Now, come on, girls," Reese said loudly, clearly wanting to move on from the topic. "What do you want to drink?"

Kendra and Liz got up from the couch. Lexi was sitting on the floor. Everyone hurried around the bar.

"I find it cool that everyone in the family has a bar," I remarked, "or at least Travis and Luke do."

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