Chapter 23 Morgan
Morgan
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Lila said, gathering up her cards and notes.
“No problem,” Morgan said. “Feel better about the test tomorrow?”
“So much better. You’re the best.”
Morgan’s heart swelled with pride that she’d been able to help. It wasn’t often she got to help anyone other than Jen. And her customers, of course, but they paid her for her services. This was just helping a friend and her daughter.
And Lila was great. She reminded Morgan a little of herself back when she was a kid. The way she gave her mom crap was eerily familiar, and she was smarter than she gave herself credit for. Just a little forgetful.
“Mom, can she come back next weekend? I have a history test next Monday.” Then, just before she disappeared into her room, she shouted over her shoulder, “Just kidding! But, you know, I wouldn’t mind.”
The door shut before Danielle could respond. She stood from the couch, where she’d been doing a crossword puzzle on her tablet, and looked at Morgan with slightly reddened cheeks. Morgan couldn’t tell if that redness was from being sick or from embarrassment.
“Sorry about that,” Danielle said. “Apparently, she wants a better tutor than me.”
Morgan laughed. “I’m sure you’re an excellent teacher. I just wanted you to rest.”
“Well, thank you anyway. I appreciate it, and I know Lila does, too.”
“Glad to help. That’s what I came over for.”
Was that true?
Sure, she’d brought the soup, but had there been another reason? A reason that looked like getting Danielle to lie down and rest again.
“Let’s get you back on that couch.”
Danielle huffed. “I’m sick of that couch.”
“Okay, fair enough. Do you want me to heat the soup for you?”
“No, thank you. I’ll have it a little later. I’m looking forward to it, though.”
“You look tired,” Morgan said, the sight of Danielle drawing more concern. “I can leave and let you get some rest without you feeling like you have to entertain someone.”
“No, please,” Danielle said quickly. “Stay. I mean, if you don’t have anywhere else to be. We don’t have company often. We usually hang out at Melanie and Kim’s house or at my friend Gerri’s place. This apartment rarely sees visitors.”
“But I don’t want to keep you from resting more.”
“You’ve gifted me with more than enough rest already,” Danielle said. “I don’t have to cook now, and Lila can have a frozen pizza.”
Morgan watched as Danielle sat at the table beside her. Her messy blonde bun tilted on top of her head so much it looked like it might slide right down the side.
She suddenly felt guilty for not having thought this through better. “I should have brought something for Lila, too.”
“Trust me, she’ll be thrilled with frozen pizza.” Danielle sat up a little straighter, even though it looked like the move drained more of her energy. “No more talk about being sick or food for being sick, no matter how much I appreciate it. I want to hear all about the last-minute wedding stuff.”
“I didn’t realize you were so into weddings.” Morgan grinned. “I thought you were in this deal just for the food.”
“I’m more fascinated by weddings than into them,” Danielle said. “Like, I’m fascinated by how much other people are into them.”
“That weirdly makes sense.”
“Good. I was worried that made me sound unhinged.”
“Not at all,” Morgan said, realizing Danielle had captured her own feelings about weddings perfectly. “It’s the amount of stuff that’s going into that one day that’s unhinged.”
“Your sister must be a wreck.”
“Oh, she is. I have never been more grateful to not be a maid of honor than this week.”
Danielle cringed slightly. “It doesn’t bother you at all that your sister didn’t ask you to be her maid of honor?”
“Gosh, no.” Nothing could be truer. She might have a hint of wishing she and her sister were closer, but she didn’t care one bit about that honorary title or any of the wedding stuff. “I’m so glad I’m basically off duty until the end of this week.”
“Right.” Danielle drew out the word. “I heard some mention of the rehearsal?”
Morgan’s stomach clenched. She’d been hoping Danielle would have forgotten about that. It had been an impulsive move fueled by Jen’s enthusiasm. Not a genuine request.
“Oh, that. I was just joking.” She cleared her throat and quickly continued. “Not that you aren’t allowed to come. With me. If you want, I guess. But I was joking because I wouldn’t want to put anyone in the middle of that shitfest.”
“You make it sound like it’s going to be so much worse than the wedding and reception themselves.”
“Oh, it will be worse. Trust me,” Morgan said.
“There will be more anonymity on the event day. Silence at the wedding, and loud music and a crowd at the reception. At the rehearsal dinner? Full exposure to everyone and everything. People will want to chat. It’ll be awful.
I’m only going because I’m obligated to. ”
Danielle tilted her head, considering those words and sliding her bun a little more to the side, where it remained when she straightened.
“I want to go,” she said with a tight nod of affirmation. “If the invitation is still on the table.”
Morgan’s mouth hung open. Danielle must really be feverish.
“Did you not hear what I said about it?”
“I heard,” Danielle said. “And I’d like to go.”
Morgan narrowed her eyes. “Do I need to check your temperature?”
Danielle laughed. “I’m fine. Tired, but the cold meds are working finally.
No fever. I just want to see what your family’s like.
Call it insatiable curiosity. And if I can keep you company like at the wedding itself, then I want to do that.
You’ve done so much for me already. The least I can do is be there for you a little more. ”
It was Morgan’s turn to laugh, her heart warming at the offer. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“So it’s a…”
Danielle stopped herself before saying the word Morgan knew was coming next. So she inserted a different one.
“A deal?” Morgan said.
Danielle gave an awkward smile. “A deal.”
“Great.” Morgan couldn’t put into words just how great the prospect of having Danielle there was. Rather, she didn’t want to gush out just how grateful she was and sound like an overenthusiastic mess. Instead, she stood from the table. “I’m for real gonna let you get some rest now.”
“And eat some soup.”
“I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will,” Danielle said.
Morgan pushed her chair in and headed to the door with Danielle following behind her. It took everything Morgan had not to turn around and press her lips to Danielle’s again. Messy bun and cold germs and all.
“I’ll pick you up here on Friday. I can text you a time in a couple days?”
Danielle smiled at her, and Morgan’s knees went weak.
If she kept smiling at her like that, Morgan wasn’t sure she could survive the rest of this week without actually pressing her mouth against that smile.
Her heart was already pounding out of her chest at the idea of Danielle sitting next to her through that awful dinner.
So close she could reach out and wrap her arms around her in gratitude.
With a small nod, Danielle said, “Perfect.”