31. Megan
Chapter 31
Megan
I want to be home, in my comfy clothes, where nobody needs anything from me, but our book club has our March meeting tonight and I’d never let Kara down. I won’t have time to go home before heading there, so I fire off a text to Ollie on my way.
Me: I have book club tonight, will be back late
His reply is immediate.
Ollie: Cool, have fun
Ollie: I’ll leave the light on for ya ;)
Kara greets everyone at the door when we arrive, and I try not to burst into tears when I pull her into my arms. It’s the first time I’ve seen her since the bombshell phone call, and she looks positively radiant.
“I’m so happy for you,” I whisper into her hair.
“Thank you,” she whispers back. “We’re only telling you guys for now, so don’t say anything.”
I pretend to zip my mouth shut and find a seat near the back to drop my coat and bag off before ordering a mint tea.
Sunshine Coffee is a bustling café by day, set in a quiet courtyard off the main street and loved by locals for their delicious coffee, excellent pastries, and sun-trap outdoor seating.
Luke opened this place a couple of years ago when he moved here for a fresh start after his first wife sadly passed away. Sunshine was his nickname for her, so he named it in her memory, which is honestly one of the most romantic things I’ve ever heard. It’s also the place where Luke first met Kara, and by the time she left, he’d slipped his number in between the pages, along with a request for recommendations.
It’s the meet-cute to end all meet-cutes, and once he introduced us to his best friend, Rob, it was obvious to all of us he’d end up winning Hattie over. Needless to say, there’s a lot of romantic history in this room, and none of it is mine.
By night, there’s a busy calendar of events, book club included, both here and at the sister venue, Moonshine, a bar, nightclub, and live music venue at the other end of the town. Kara designed the interiors, Hattie manages the events schedule for both, and works some nights in the bar, so it’s very much a family affair for all except me and Rob. He’s far too busy with his work at the hospital, but he always joins for book club, even if he never actually reads the book.
“Why are you sitting so far back?” Hattie asks, dropping into the seat beside me.
“I’ve got awful cramps. I might not stay too long.”
“Oh no, my poor baby. Let me hug you.” I set my tea down and twist to let her. “I really miss you. Are you OK?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“No, but more generally. How’s it going with the roomie? Any exciting news to report?” She wiggles her eyebrows before dropping her voice and looking around to make sure nobody is listening. “Any sex?”
I can feel my cheeks turning pink, and Hattie looks shocked, probably concocting some outrageous scenario in her head. “Calm down, nothing’s happened. Only in my mind.”
Her eyes widen, and she rubs her palms together. “Really? You naughty girl.”
“I can’t help it.” I lean closer and lower my voice to the faintest whisper. “His face keeps popping into my head every time I’m about to come.”
Rob sneaks up behind Hattie and wraps his arms around her shoulders. “You two look very suspicious. What are we gossiping about?”
“Megan’s got a crush on the hot roomie,” she says, leaning back against her man.
“Hattie!” I hiss. “I do not have a crush.”
Rob lets out a low whistle. “Is he hot? Let me see a photo.”
“I don’t have a photo.”
“There are good ones on his Insta,” Hattie laughs.
“You’ve stalked him?” I watch in horror as she pulls her phone from her pocket and navigates to his profile. I found it myself when he first moved in, purely for the entirely rational purposes of ensuring he wasn’t involved in anything dodgy, so I already know he only posts van updates.
“Hmmm. Doesn’t look like he posts pictures of himself,” I say, pretending this is brand new information to me.
“Tagged pics, babe. Always check the tagged pics.”
I hadn’t thought of that, and I lean closer to see what she found. There aren’t many to choose from, a few posed shots of him in a shirt and tie with who I assume are his parents, a couple of candids with friends, and one of him shirtless on a beach, that beautiful tattoo on display. Of course, Hattie taps into that one and zooms in while Rob leans over for a closer look.
“Jesus, he’s ripped,” Rob says.
“See, I told you he’s hot,” Hattie replies, before tipping her head back to kiss Rob’s chin. “Not as hot as you though, babe.”
Kara’s hand makes me jump when she comes up behind me and squeezes my shoulder. “Are you not sitting up front?”
“I’m only staying for a bit if that’s OK? I’m not feeling too well.”
“OK,” she says, giving me an extra squeeze. “Well, we’re about to start.”
“Are you going to tell him you like him?” Rob whispers.
“No, of course not. I don’t ‘ like him’ like him. He just happens to be a man who’s around all the time while I’m in a dry spell, that’s all. They aren’t real feelings.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Hattie says, bumping my shoulder with hers. “You should take advantage of him while he’s here.”
“Stop it. I will not be doing that.”
“Good evening all,” Kara projects from the front of the room, thankfully saving me from having to endure any more of this nonsense. “Welcome to Sunshine Book Club, I hope you’ve all enjoyed reading this month’s book which was Kill For You . I cannot wait to hear your thoughts. Let’s start with initial impressions from the first few chapters…”
Dark romance isn’t my preferred genre, but it was requested by a few members after months of reading small-town romances. On any other day, I might have enjoyed the discussion more, but when even a serial killer can find true love, tonight only serves as a reminder that I am still painfully single.
In this state, I struggle to recall details from the book and think about the men on my dating app instead. The messages they've sent are so uninspiring, but I should make an effort to reply, if only to prove to Ollie I’ve given it a go.
When everyone stops for more drinks and a bathroom break, I quietly slip out and head for home. I'm sure nobody notices, anyway.