Page 13 of Prelude To You

I fake-smiled. “As tempting as that sounds, I’ll pass. But thanks.”

It appeared as if Meg was trying to remember his name, but gave up. “Listen, babe, I’m kinda busy with my girlfriend here.She’s having some personal issues we need to address pronto. Whaddya say we call it a night? It’s been fun. Let’s not spoil the magic, hey?”

He shrugged his shoulders, mumbled “Your loss” and returned to the bedroom to grab his t-shirt and pants. A normal person would have stayed in the bedroom to get dressed, but not this guy.

He sauntered back into the cramped dining room area, getting dressed like he wanted to give Meg one last chance to change her mind. And I couldn’t help but notice Meg’s gaze traveling over his very fine body with a yearning sigh.

Finally he was dressed, and left with a hand wave. When the front door slammed shut, I shook my head and stared at Meg. “Every time you break up with Felix, you go on a sex binge like it’s not a risky thing to do.”

“Oh relax,” Meg said. “I have good instincts about people, and don’t forget I have bear spray.”

“Where did you meet Prince Charming?” I asked, happy to talk about anything but that kiss in the bookshop.

”Maybe on Tinder. Or in Starbucks. I forget.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “One day I’m going to come home and find you tied to the bed and the TV gone.”

“Get off my case,” Meg grumbled. “He’s hot, he doesn’t cling and he’s available on demand.”

I laughed. “How romantic.”

“Well at least I have sex,” she insisted. “Which is more than I can say for you. What’s it been, more than a year? We gotta fix that.”

For the most part Meg respected my reluctance to engage in any romantic ventures, but she was still adamant that I would one day meet my dream man. And now that I’d actually met him, he turned out to be just some random guy who kissed strange girls, bought them expensive books and then disappeared.

“So let’s get back to your day,” Meg pressed, “and see what we can do to improve your sex life.”

Meg’s determination was slightly annoying but it was all done out of love, and I understood that. So I continued to make my case. “Maybe you weren’t listening to what I said. There’s nothing in this entire scenario to indicate my love life improving in any way, shape, or form.”

“He’s got your number, right?” Meg asked hopefully.

“No, that didn’t quite come up.”

“What do you mean!? You said time stood still!”

“It all happened so fast, and then he was gone.”

“No problem, you get hold of him.”

“I can’t, Meg.”

“Yes, you can. You go on Facebook or Insta and look him up. It’s easy, I’ll be right here to help.”

I sipped on the potent cocktail, trying not to gag at the taste and playing for time.

But Meg knew me well. Too well. “Oh my God,” she groaned. “Have you learned nothing? A name, a number, a lock of hair, something…anything?”

I had to defend myself. “Meg, the guy isn’t interested. Why would I even try to see him again?”

Meg’s eyes narrowed. Who knew what was brewing in her mind, but whatever it was, I knew it wasn’t good.

“Okay, let’s take this from the top,” she started. “So this guy saves you from potentially being kicked out and banned from your favorite store. He kisses you, with your all-too willing consent I might add, and buys you a five-thousand-dollar book. How is he the bad guy again?”

“I didn’t say he was the bad guy,” I whispered meekly. “You wouldn’t understand… Can we rather talk about me finding another job?”

“There’s always my dad’s pizza place,” Meg suggested. “At least until you find something else.”

“Sure, thanks, I appreciate—”

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