Page 22 of Fight for Forever
“Do you want-”
We both speak at the same time. I laugh and tell her to go ahead. She says I should, but I tell her to and then she says I should. It’s fucking ridiculous. And kinda cute.
“Meg, you go.”
“Oh… Okay. Well, I wanted to arrange a run. Maybe tomorrow? I’ve not had a chance to go the last few days, I feel awful about it.”
“Life sometimes gets in the way, don’t worry about it.”
What has she been doing?
“It’s not so much that I’ve been busy with other stuff,” she lets out a huge breath. “It’s because I didn’t want to go without you.”
A grin stretches across my face. I shouldn’t be smiling, it’s not like she just told me she wants to sit in my lap or anything. I mean, it could be because she just doesn’t want to run alone. I shake my head at myself.
“But, if you’re free tonight.”
“Tonight?” my brow creases.
“For… drinks or something to eat. I mean, if you want to. I’ll understand if you’re busy. Oh, you probably have something on.”
“Meg,” I cut her off gently. “Relax.”
“Sorry. Oh, sorry, shit, I keep apologizing for everything. I have to stop that.”
I chuckle, letting her know it’s fine. It’s actually endearing. She apologizes a lot for things she doesn’t need to apologize for.
“Dinner would be great, actually. I have nothing in.” I glance at the groceries behind me. Then I panic she’ll think I’m agreeing because it means I don’t have to cook. “And it will be nice to go out, to see you. Where are you thinking?” I add, to draw attention away from my fumble.
“I’m not sure. I mean, do you know anywhere you could recommend? I’ve not been out a lot lately.”
“Yeah, I know a place. And it’s over on your side of the bridge. So I can come over to you.”
“Great.”
“I’ll send you the details. Or I can pick you up at your place?”
“Um…”
“It’s a cab ride from your apartment, so if you’re good with it, I’ll pickyou up. No big deal.”
“Okay. Is seven okay?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
“Thanks. See you then.”
She hangs on for a minute, then the phone clicks off. I grin as the display goes back to the GPS screen. Did Megan just call up and ask me out?
Well, I’ll be damned. Why would she do this now? Especially after ghosting me for a few days. What’s changed? And am I reading more into this than there is? She specifically asked me out to eat or for drinks.
Jesus Christ, when did I become such an idiot that I can’t even think straight? Meg does that to me. And shit, I’m actually nervous. We’ve only interacted through training, and yeah, I’m a chatterbox when we’re not focused, but she still hasn’t opened up to me.
I’m not gonna look this gift horse in the mouth. If we’re going out on a date, which Ithinkthis is, then I’m going to make it the best date she’s been on.
Grabbing the groceries, I hurry to my apartment. It’s only two, I still have five hours before I need to go over to pick her up. First things first, I call the restaurant and book us a table. It’s one of the best, most authentic Italian restaurants in New York, popular and always busy, but they never turn me away.
“You finally bringing a date, Joey?”