CHAPTER NINETEEN

Maggie

 

Tammy and I were having lunch in the square outside the hotel. We’d gotten closer over the past few weeks, and it was nice to have a friend to hang out with. Spending that week with Liam around made me realize how lonely I’d been since moving to Mountain Valley. I was craving human companionship. As if reading my mind, Tammy looked up from her sandwich and considered me.

“What are you doing tonight? Writing?” she asked.

“Nope. Sent the manuscript off to publishers. Now it’s a waiting game,” I said.

“Perfect. Come out with me tonight. I’ve got a date, but I’m sure he can rustle up a friend.”

I thought about it for less than a minute. Why not? I’d spent enough time over the past few weeks doing nothing. Liam was out of my life, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t go in search of other research candidates, so to speak. I smiled.

“I’m in.”

 

 

 

*

Sure enough, Tammy’s date, Eric, found a willing friend. Shane was tall with curly blond hair and a slight frame. He was cute and had an amazing smile.

We met at the Mexican place on Highway 4. I’d never been before, but both their margaritas and their jukebox were legendary. I put on a summer dress for the occasion, blue with tiny white polka dots and spaghetti straps. I couldn’t bring myself to wear heels, but I did put on a little makeup.

We sat at a table for four and ordered pitchers of margaritas and a plate of tacos. It was noisy, but we were still able to carry on a decent conversation. Shane worked at the local bookstore, which explained why he’d looked familiar when we were introduced.

“I recognized you right away,” he said, smiling at me. “Romance section. Two to four books a week.”

I laughed, delighted. Tammy shot me a knowing look and then dragged Eric onto the makeshift dance floor. Shane and I sat silently for a few minutes, drinking and watching people dance.

“So what do you do?” he asked.

“Well, by day I work with Tammy at The Elway, but at night I have a secret identity as a romance writer.”

“Ah,” he said. “That explains all the novels. Research, huh?”

The smile dropped from my face at the word research. For the first time that evening, I thought of Liam. I closed my eyes and took a breath, but all I could see was his hand, moving up my thigh. My eyes flew open, only to find Shane studying me with an odd expression.

“You okay? I say something wrong?”

“Not at all,” I assured him.

I took a sip of my drink, trying to remember if this was my second or third. I was certainly feeling no pain, and I was proud of myself for going out, making friends, and finally letting loose. Joe Jackson’s A Slow Song came on the jukebox.

“I love this song,” I said.

Shane stood up and reached out his hand.

“Then let’s dance.”

I took his hand and followed him to the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I draped mine over his shoulders. My first thought was he was so much skinnier than Liam, and my second thought was he wasn’t Liam. It made me irrationally sad. Why was I even still thinking about him? I blamed it on the alcohol and closed my eyes. I leaned my head against his shoulder and as we swayed to the music, I tried to let myself enjoy the moment for what it was.

When the song ended, I pulled away and looked up at him to thank him for the dance. Before I could say anything, he leaned down to kiss me. It was a soft, gentle kiss. It was fine. But there was zero magic. I pulled away, running my thumb over my bottom lip.

“Thank you for the dance,” I said.

His expression fell.

“Just the dance.”

“Hey. I’m having a great time with you tonight. Really.”

He nodded, took my hand, and guided me back to the table. Tammy and Eric had ordered another pitcher and were pouring more drinks. I suddenly felt awkward and out of place. I’d had more to drink than I should’ve and for a few moments, I’d let myself believe I was someone I wasn’t.

I pulled out my phone and checked the black screen.

“Shit,” I murmured.

Tammy looked up.

“What’s up?” she asked.

“It’s Justin. Says it’s an emergency. Listen, I’ve got to run. He’s going to come pick me up. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

Tammy jumped up and gave me a quick hug. She pulled me close and whispered in my ear.

“I know exactly what you’re doing.”

I let go of her, told Eric it had been nice to meet him, then turned to Shane.

“Listen—” I started.

He held up his hand.

“If you want, get my number from Tammy.”

I smiled, gave them all a last wave, and headed out to the parking lot, calling a cab on the way.