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“Tina Gardenia was as happy as a cat with a full belly.
She had kept Luca Lowell’s heart safely on her charm bracelet, and it had been wonderful.
It was Sunday morning again, and Luca was clunking around in the tiny kitchen on one bare foot and one walking cast, making coffee by the smell of it.
Tina snuggled Muffins close to her face. “You’re a handsome boy,” she cooed.
“I know you’re talking to the cat,” Luca said. “Why don’t you talk to me like that?”
“You already get more than enough compliments, Mr. Lowell.”
“How many dunks do I dunk your tea bags?”
“You don’t dunk. Just pour the water on and let it steep.”
“How’s it going to steep if you’re not dunking?”
“Fine,” she said. “Give it... seven dunks.”
“Gotcha. Seven dunks.” He started counting them out.
Tina nuzzled the ginger cat sprawled out on the couch. “You’re the prettiest boy in the world,” she said.
Luca growled, “I heard that.”
“Focus on your dunking.”
“Darn it. I lost count.”
“That’ll teach you for listening in on other people’s private conversations.”
Luca snorted and went back to dunking.
For the last two weeks, Muffins had been coming to visit at the tiny house regularly, and Luca had been pretending to be a jealous boyfriend. He and the cat were bonding on their own, though, often snuggling up on the couch together, watching their favorite shows. Luca liked true crime shows, and Muffins liked a warm lap and chin scratches.”
―
She had kept Luca Lowell’s heart safely on her charm bracelet, and it had been wonderful.
It was Sunday morning again, and Luca was clunking around in the tiny kitchen on one bare foot and one walking cast, making coffee by the smell of it.
Tina snuggled Muffins close to her face. “You’re a handsome boy,” she cooed.
“I know you’re talking to the cat,” Luca said. “Why don’t you talk to me like that?”
“You already get more than enough compliments, Mr. Lowell.”
“How many dunks do I dunk your tea bags?”
“You don’t dunk. Just pour the water on and let it steep.”
“How’s it going to steep if you’re not dunking?”
“Fine,” she said. “Give it... seven dunks.”
“Gotcha. Seven dunks.” He started counting them out.
Tina nuzzled the ginger cat sprawled out on the couch. “You’re the prettiest boy in the world,” she said.
Luca growled, “I heard that.”
“Focus on your dunking.”
“Darn it. I lost count.”
“That’ll teach you for listening in on other people’s private conversations.”
Luca snorted and went back to dunking.
For the last two weeks, Muffins had been coming to visit at the tiny house regularly, and Luca had been pretending to be a jealous boyfriend. He and the cat were bonding on their own, though, often snuggling up on the couch together, watching their favorite shows. Luca liked true crime shows, and Muffins liked a warm lap and chin scratches.”
―
“She leaned forward, eager to see what it was. She was wearing her charm bracelet that day, as she always did, so she was eager to add the new one. But what was it?
“That’s funny,” Luca said. “It looked a lot bigger in the store.” He dropped the charm into her hand. It was a teeny, tiny ring. An engagement ring.
“Luca,” she said.
The older lady giggled nervously.
“Hang on,” Luca said. “Don’t say anything yet.” He reached into his pocket again, and that time he pulled out a full-sized ring. One that would fit on her finger.
It was the second most beautiful thing Tina Gardenia had ever seen.
The most beautiful thing she’d ever seen was Luca’s blue eyes, glistening as he looked up at her and asked, “Will you marry me?”
The word came out of her mouth without even registering in her brain. “Yes.”
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his big shoulders.
The other patients, and some nurses who’d approached quietly, clapped and cheered.”
―
“That’s funny,” Luca said. “It looked a lot bigger in the store.” He dropped the charm into her hand. It was a teeny, tiny ring. An engagement ring.
“Luca,” she said.
The older lady giggled nervously.
“Hang on,” Luca said. “Don’t say anything yet.” He reached into his pocket again, and that time he pulled out a full-sized ring. One that would fit on her finger.
It was the second most beautiful thing Tina Gardenia had ever seen.
The most beautiful thing she’d ever seen was Luca’s blue eyes, glistening as he looked up at her and asked, “Will you marry me?”
The word came out of her mouth without even registering in her brain. “Yes.”
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his big shoulders.
The other patients, and some nurses who’d approached quietly, clapped and cheered.”
―
“Alan Morgan, stared in disbelief at the centerpiece. “It’s perfect,” he said. “I need to stop thinking about apps that are going to change the world. Obviously the technology of the future is whatever frequency you and Megan are on.”
“I’m not sure we’re on the same frequency,” Drew said. “This note doesn’t sound like her. ‘Sorry I can’t make it to your dinner. Something came up. Talk soon, Megan.’ That’s not her at all. Do you think she’s been kidnapped?”
“Yes. This is exactly what kidnappers do.”
“Don’t be sarcastic.”
“No, really. I’m sure the ransom note will be along any minute.”
Drew crossed his arms and started sulking.
“Don’t sulk,” Alan said. “That’s my job. I’m the old man who’s turning thirty. Poor me.”
“Poor me,” Drew said. “If she sent this note, it’s not a good sign.”
“Since when does a polite apology spell trouble?”
“When it comes from a girl who doesn’t do polite apologies.”
“Maybe she’s changed. People change,” Alan said.
“You don’t actually believe that, do you?”
“No,” Alan said. “She’s probably going to dump you.”
Drew didn’t want to admit it, but he’d been thinking the same thing ever since she’d gone silent on the phone.
“You’ve still got me,” Alan said.
“I’m going to be single forever,” Drew said.
“We’re both going to be single forever,” Alan said. “Just the two of us, living in this big house we bought with our blood money.”
“You have to stop saying that, or people will think we’re running a crime syndicate.”
Alan went over to the fridge and opened it. “You get the crackers, and I’ll liberate one of the cheese plates,” Alan said.
“Why?”
“Because it’s too early to open the wine, and we need something to ease our sorrows. Me, turning thirty, and you over getting dumped by a girl before we even had a chance to terrorize Mom.”
“I’m not sure it’s too early to open the wine,” Drew said. “What about letting it breathe?”
“Is that a real thing?” Alan put the marble cheese board on the polished granite counter between then and flung back the clear plastic wrap. “I thought that was just something Mom said to excuse her afternoon drinking.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“I’m not sure we’re on the same frequency,” Drew said. “This note doesn’t sound like her. ‘Sorry I can’t make it to your dinner. Something came up. Talk soon, Megan.’ That’s not her at all. Do you think she’s been kidnapped?”
“Yes. This is exactly what kidnappers do.”
“Don’t be sarcastic.”
“No, really. I’m sure the ransom note will be along any minute.”
Drew crossed his arms and started sulking.
“Don’t sulk,” Alan said. “That’s my job. I’m the old man who’s turning thirty. Poor me.”
“Poor me,” Drew said. “If she sent this note, it’s not a good sign.”
“Since when does a polite apology spell trouble?”
“When it comes from a girl who doesn’t do polite apologies.”
“Maybe she’s changed. People change,” Alan said.
“You don’t actually believe that, do you?”
“No,” Alan said. “She’s probably going to dump you.”
Drew didn’t want to admit it, but he’d been thinking the same thing ever since she’d gone silent on the phone.
“You’ve still got me,” Alan said.
“I’m going to be single forever,” Drew said.
“We’re both going to be single forever,” Alan said. “Just the two of us, living in this big house we bought with our blood money.”
“You have to stop saying that, or people will think we’re running a crime syndicate.”
Alan went over to the fridge and opened it. “You get the crackers, and I’ll liberate one of the cheese plates,” Alan said.
“Why?”
“Because it’s too early to open the wine, and we need something to ease our sorrows. Me, turning thirty, and you over getting dumped by a girl before we even had a chance to terrorize Mom.”
“I’m not sure it’s too early to open the wine,” Drew said. “What about letting it breathe?”
“Is that a real thing?” Alan put the marble cheese board on the polished granite counter between then and flung back the clear plastic wrap. “I thought that was just something Mom said to excuse her afternoon drinking.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Mr. Phone took a swim when I was dropping the kids off at the pool.”
“What?”
Megan held up a bag of rice containing her damp phone. “Mr. Phone went for a dive and a backstroke in Mr. Toilet. Don’t worry, I’d already flushed when it happened.”
“Not again,” Tina said, exasperated. “Why does that always happen to you?”
“I blame Mr. Toilet. He has a gravitational pull that cannot be explained by modern science. We should get a team of researchers into the house to conduct tests.” Megan plopped the bag of rice and phone on the counter. “What were you calling me about?”
Tina did an excited dance. “Your dentist came by looking for you.”
“You met him? You met my Drew?”
“Oh, Meenie, he’s so cute. Why didn’t you tell me he was so cute?”
“I’m not shallow like you.”
Tina said, “He’s a good one, Meenie. I think he might be the one.”
“Don’t be gross. You know I hate stuff like that. If you and Luca start saying you’re soul mates, I’m going to throw up every time.”
“Aren’t you going to ask what we talked about?”
“He’d better not be buying me flowers from my own store. It’s cute when Luca does it, but he’s Luca. That sort of behavior from a man as dignified as Dr. Drew Morgan will not stand with me.”
“Don’t worry. I told him not to ever buy you flowers or chocolates or any of that romantic stuff.”
Megan frowned. “None of it?”
“And I didn’t say anything embarrassing to him about our past.” Tina chewed her lower lip in that telltale way she did when she knew she’d done something Megan wouldn’t like.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“What?”
Megan held up a bag of rice containing her damp phone. “Mr. Phone went for a dive and a backstroke in Mr. Toilet. Don’t worry, I’d already flushed when it happened.”
“Not again,” Tina said, exasperated. “Why does that always happen to you?”
“I blame Mr. Toilet. He has a gravitational pull that cannot be explained by modern science. We should get a team of researchers into the house to conduct tests.” Megan plopped the bag of rice and phone on the counter. “What were you calling me about?”
Tina did an excited dance. “Your dentist came by looking for you.”
“You met him? You met my Drew?”
“Oh, Meenie, he’s so cute. Why didn’t you tell me he was so cute?”
“I’m not shallow like you.”
Tina said, “He’s a good one, Meenie. I think he might be the one.”
“Don’t be gross. You know I hate stuff like that. If you and Luca start saying you’re soul mates, I’m going to throw up every time.”
“Aren’t you going to ask what we talked about?”
“He’d better not be buying me flowers from my own store. It’s cute when Luca does it, but he’s Luca. That sort of behavior from a man as dignified as Dr. Drew Morgan will not stand with me.”
“Don’t worry. I told him not to ever buy you flowers or chocolates or any of that romantic stuff.”
Megan frowned. “None of it?”
“And I didn’t say anything embarrassing to him about our past.” Tina chewed her lower lip in that telltale way she did when she knew she’d done something Megan wouldn’t like.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Did I interrupt anything spicy? It looked like the cottage was shaking on the foundations again. We might need to have another seismic assessment done, if we keep having all these localized earthquakes.”
―
―
“Megan was over at the Morgan brothers’ house, having a casual dinner with Drew and his brother, Alan. It was casual in the sense that there were only three courses and no ice sculpture.
When Alan left the room to get dessert, Megan said, “If you don’t give me whatever’s in your pocket, I’m going to reach in there and grab it myself.”
He got a devilish grin and threw his hands in the air. “Help yourself!”
She reached in and found a ring. Not an engagement ring but a ring with a large stone in the middle. A cheap-looking stone.
Megan frowned. “Is this plastic?”
“It’s a mood ring,” he said. “I bought it at a carnival when I was a kid. I wore it to school once because I thought it was cool. I got my first black eye that day.”
“You got bullied?”
“Not exactly. The guy who punched me once got two right back.”
She handed the ring back. “You can wear it now, if you want. You’re an adult. Nobody’s going to beat you up.” She made a fist and punched her palm. “Not if they don’t want me to tag in and finish the match.”
He put the ring back in his pocket. “Never mind,” he said.
She put her hand in his pocket and grabbed the ring back. “Don’t tell me to never mind. Why do you have this? Were you going to give it to me?”
“I thought it would be funny,” he said. “You’re reading all those books Feather recommended, and you’re doing that thing where you name your emotions. I thought it would be funny if you had a mood ring to help you with that.”
She tried on the ring. The only finger it fit was her ring finger, so she left it there. “I like it,” she said. “It’s not very funny, though. It’s actually kind of…” She was at a loss for words. It had been happening a lot lately. Coming up with words to describe feelings was much harder than being crass or sarcastic.
“Romantic,” Drew said.
“Yeah. I guess you’re right. It’s romantic.” She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Plus, now I know your ring size,” he said.
They both looked down at her hand.
She looked away.
“For the future,” he said. “Relax. I don’t mean right now.”
She looked at the ring again. It was changing colors.
“It’s working,” she said.
“It’s a heat-sensitive compound,” he said. “It doesn’t really tell you someone’s mood, just how warm their fingers are.”
“But finger temperature means a lot,” she said. “I’ve been reading about the nervous system, and how everything works together in all these different feedback loops. When someone’s stressed, their hands get cold. Or when their hands get cold for some other reason, they might feel stressed and make up a story about why they feel that way. People make up a lot of stories to explain how they feel because it’s so confusing to not know, and sometimes we’d rather think it’s because of something bad than not know at all.”
He looked down at the ring, which was still changing colors. “I had no idea.”
“I’ll have to come into your clinic and give you some tips for putting your patients more at ease.”
“You can’t do that,” he said. “It would really cut down on the screaming, which I have grown to love.” He gave her his mad scientist cackle.
“You are so weird.” She kissed him again.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
When Alan left the room to get dessert, Megan said, “If you don’t give me whatever’s in your pocket, I’m going to reach in there and grab it myself.”
He got a devilish grin and threw his hands in the air. “Help yourself!”
She reached in and found a ring. Not an engagement ring but a ring with a large stone in the middle. A cheap-looking stone.
Megan frowned. “Is this plastic?”
“It’s a mood ring,” he said. “I bought it at a carnival when I was a kid. I wore it to school once because I thought it was cool. I got my first black eye that day.”
“You got bullied?”
“Not exactly. The guy who punched me once got two right back.”
She handed the ring back. “You can wear it now, if you want. You’re an adult. Nobody’s going to beat you up.” She made a fist and punched her palm. “Not if they don’t want me to tag in and finish the match.”
He put the ring back in his pocket. “Never mind,” he said.
She put her hand in his pocket and grabbed the ring back. “Don’t tell me to never mind. Why do you have this? Were you going to give it to me?”
“I thought it would be funny,” he said. “You’re reading all those books Feather recommended, and you’re doing that thing where you name your emotions. I thought it would be funny if you had a mood ring to help you with that.”
She tried on the ring. The only finger it fit was her ring finger, so she left it there. “I like it,” she said. “It’s not very funny, though. It’s actually kind of…” She was at a loss for words. It had been happening a lot lately. Coming up with words to describe feelings was much harder than being crass or sarcastic.
“Romantic,” Drew said.
“Yeah. I guess you’re right. It’s romantic.” She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Plus, now I know your ring size,” he said.
They both looked down at her hand.
She looked away.
“For the future,” he said. “Relax. I don’t mean right now.”
She looked at the ring again. It was changing colors.
“It’s working,” she said.
“It’s a heat-sensitive compound,” he said. “It doesn’t really tell you someone’s mood, just how warm their fingers are.”
“But finger temperature means a lot,” she said. “I’ve been reading about the nervous system, and how everything works together in all these different feedback loops. When someone’s stressed, their hands get cold. Or when their hands get cold for some other reason, they might feel stressed and make up a story about why they feel that way. People make up a lot of stories to explain how they feel because it’s so confusing to not know, and sometimes we’d rather think it’s because of something bad than not know at all.”
He looked down at the ring, which was still changing colors. “I had no idea.”
“I’ll have to come into your clinic and give you some tips for putting your patients more at ease.”
“You can’t do that,” he said. “It would really cut down on the screaming, which I have grown to love.” He gave her his mad scientist cackle.
“You are so weird.” She kissed him again.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Drew winced. “My back hurts. What did you do to me in your front yard? One minute I was standing, then I was flat on my back in the grass.”
“I swept the leg,” she said matter-of-factly.
“But why?”
“Why not? It’s the fastest way to get someone to the ground.”
“But we were standing on your lawn.”
“Exactly. We were on nice, soft grass. I would have wrestled you sooner, but it’s not safe on the pavement.”
“Do you always wrestle with guys?”
“Just the ones I like.” She tapped him on the nose. “Boop.”
He tapped her right back. “Boop.”
She asked, “Now that I’ve taught you to watch out for the leg sweep, what else can I do for you? Breakfast in bed? Pack you a bagged lunch for work today?”
He checked the time on her alarm clock. “It’s Saturday, which is a light day, but I do have a few patients after lunch.”
“What do you mean it’s a light day? You’re not fully booked? You must not be a very good dentist. Maybe I should get a second opinion on that cap you glued into my mouth all willy-nilly.”
He dropped his jaw in mock outrage. “Not a very good dentist? Those are fighting words, you bad girl.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Want to take this back out to the front lawn?”
“I think we gave your neighbors enough of a show last night.”
“True,” she said. “Plus, we already got grass stains all over one change of clothes.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Grass stains.” He groaned.
He leaned back, resting his head on Megan’s second pillow, where Muffins normally slept. The sea-foam-green linens were a perfect complement to his skin tone. His brown eyes were a rich chocolate with bright flecks and an inner ring that was nearly green. The sheets had been purchased to complement Muffins, with his orange fur and entirely green eyes, but they looked even better around Dr. Drew Morgan.
Drew asked, “What are you thinking about?” He reached up to run his fingers through her tangled morning hair. She normally hated that, but it felt good when Drew did it.
“I’m thinking that you look really good in my sheets. You look good in sea-foam green.”
“Thanks.” He grinned. “I can’t wait to see how you look in my bed.”
“You think you’re going to get me into your bed?”
“Sure. I know how it’s done. You just sweep the leg.”
“I shouldn’t have told you all my secrets.”
Muffins returned and situated himself between them for a bath.
Drew propped himself up on one elbow and petted the cat. “So what do I have to do to get you to my place in the first place?”
“Reverse psychology works well on me. You could tell me to never come over. You could ban me from your house.”
He chuckled. “Whatever you do, don’t show up naked under a trench coat.”
“What makes you think I’d show up naked in a trench coat?”
“You’re a wild girl. Exactly what I need right now.”
“You need me? Are we talking about, like, a medical type of emergency?”
“You tell me.” He scooped up Muffins, placed him on the chair next to the bed, and pulled Megan close to him.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“I swept the leg,” she said matter-of-factly.
“But why?”
“Why not? It’s the fastest way to get someone to the ground.”
“But we were standing on your lawn.”
“Exactly. We were on nice, soft grass. I would have wrestled you sooner, but it’s not safe on the pavement.”
“Do you always wrestle with guys?”
“Just the ones I like.” She tapped him on the nose. “Boop.”
He tapped her right back. “Boop.”
She asked, “Now that I’ve taught you to watch out for the leg sweep, what else can I do for you? Breakfast in bed? Pack you a bagged lunch for work today?”
He checked the time on her alarm clock. “It’s Saturday, which is a light day, but I do have a few patients after lunch.”
“What do you mean it’s a light day? You’re not fully booked? You must not be a very good dentist. Maybe I should get a second opinion on that cap you glued into my mouth all willy-nilly.”
He dropped his jaw in mock outrage. “Not a very good dentist? Those are fighting words, you bad girl.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Want to take this back out to the front lawn?”
“I think we gave your neighbors enough of a show last night.”
“True,” she said. “Plus, we already got grass stains all over one change of clothes.”
He wrinkled his nose. “Grass stains.” He groaned.
He leaned back, resting his head on Megan’s second pillow, where Muffins normally slept. The sea-foam-green linens were a perfect complement to his skin tone. His brown eyes were a rich chocolate with bright flecks and an inner ring that was nearly green. The sheets had been purchased to complement Muffins, with his orange fur and entirely green eyes, but they looked even better around Dr. Drew Morgan.
Drew asked, “What are you thinking about?” He reached up to run his fingers through her tangled morning hair. She normally hated that, but it felt good when Drew did it.
“I’m thinking that you look really good in my sheets. You look good in sea-foam green.”
“Thanks.” He grinned. “I can’t wait to see how you look in my bed.”
“You think you’re going to get me into your bed?”
“Sure. I know how it’s done. You just sweep the leg.”
“I shouldn’t have told you all my secrets.”
Muffins returned and situated himself between them for a bath.
Drew propped himself up on one elbow and petted the cat. “So what do I have to do to get you to my place in the first place?”
“Reverse psychology works well on me. You could tell me to never come over. You could ban me from your house.”
He chuckled. “Whatever you do, don’t show up naked under a trench coat.”
“What makes you think I’d show up naked in a trench coat?”
“You’re a wild girl. Exactly what I need right now.”
“You need me? Are we talking about, like, a medical type of emergency?”
“You tell me.” He scooped up Muffins, placed him on the chair next to the bed, and pulled Megan close to him.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Some of the worst moments of Tina’s life had happened there in that waiting room. Later, Luca would say it had been spontaneous. He’d picked up the ring the day before and planned to propose to her in a few months, or maybe in a year, but then, that day in the waiting room, he asked himself why he was waiting.
As he pushed the ring onto her finger, Tina’s life folded and rearranged itself. Time was no longer linear, and every moment of her life was happening at the same time. She sensed a future, hiding just out of sight. It was a beautiful future, full of joy, just like her past. The joy had always been there, and it had taken the second love of her life to show her the way.
Or perhaps it was the third great love of her life, if you counted Muffins.”
―
As he pushed the ring onto her finger, Tina’s life folded and rearranged itself. Time was no longer linear, and every moment of her life was happening at the same time. She sensed a future, hiding just out of sight. It was a beautiful future, full of joy, just like her past. The joy had always been there, and it had taken the second love of her life to show her the way.
Or perhaps it was the third great love of her life, if you counted Muffins.”
―
“I’ve never been to anything with an ice sculpture,” Megan said. She covered her jack-o’-lantern smile. “You don’t want me to meet your friends looking like this. I can sneak out of here. Nobody needs to know, assuming Candy and Alan can keep their mouths shut. We can do this some other time, after you’ve fixed ma toof.”
“Don’t you dare leave,” he said. “Alan will cry.”
“He does look like a crier.”
“It’s the glasses,” Drew said.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Don’t you dare leave,” he said. “Alan will cry.”
“He does look like a crier.”
“It’s the glasses,” Drew said.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Are you going to be okay?”
Megan said, “I can’t get any worse, really.”
Without waiting for any explanation, Tina said, “You do know you are your own worst enemy, right? That you make things complicated for yourself?”
“Tell me how to be uncomplicated,” Megan said softly.
“It’s very easy. Think about what Aunt Jane would do, and then don’t do that.”
“You don’t have to kick me while I’m down.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
Megan said, “I can’t get any worse, really.”
Without waiting for any explanation, Tina said, “You do know you are your own worst enemy, right? That you make things complicated for yourself?”
“Tell me how to be uncomplicated,” Megan said softly.
“It’s very easy. Think about what Aunt Jane would do, and then don’t do that.”
“You don’t have to kick me while I’m down.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“You can always call me at work,” he said. “It was nice to hear your voice. It’s always nice to hear something besides people screaming in pain.”
“What?”
“Just some dentist humor,” he said.
“There’s such a thing as dentist humor?”
“Ask me sometime for my routine about wisdom teeth versus stupid teeth.”
Megan laughed.
“Gotcha,” he said. “If you like that, you’ll love the whole routine. It’s better if my hands are in your mouth so you can’t beg me to stop.”
She waggled her eyebrows. “I’d never tell you to stop.” She nodded at the walk-in cooler. “Want to take this conversation in there and see if we can fog up all the glass?”
“Yes,” he said. “But regrettably, I do have to get back to work, and I can’t show up with grass stains all over my clothes.”
“We don’t have any grass in that cooler, but I can’t make any promises about pollen staining your nice suit or rose petals getting into your crevices.”
“Rose petals in my crevices? That sounds uncomfortable,” he said.
“If you’re going to have that kind of an attitude about it, it probably will be.”
―
“What?”
“Just some dentist humor,” he said.
“There’s such a thing as dentist humor?”
“Ask me sometime for my routine about wisdom teeth versus stupid teeth.”
Megan laughed.
“Gotcha,” he said. “If you like that, you’ll love the whole routine. It’s better if my hands are in your mouth so you can’t beg me to stop.”
She waggled her eyebrows. “I’d never tell you to stop.” She nodded at the walk-in cooler. “Want to take this conversation in there and see if we can fog up all the glass?”
“Yes,” he said. “But regrettably, I do have to get back to work, and I can’t show up with grass stains all over my clothes.”
“We don’t have any grass in that cooler, but I can’t make any promises about pollen staining your nice suit or rose petals getting into your crevices.”
“Rose petals in my crevices? That sounds uncomfortable,” he said.
“If you’re going to have that kind of an attitude about it, it probably will be.”
―
“I’m throwing a dinner party at my house, and you’re coming over.”
“I am, huh? I kinda like it when you tell me what to do. For such a pretty boy, you sure can play butch.”
He took a pen from the pen cup and wrote an address on a Post-it Note. “This is the house I live in with my brother. I just want to prepare you ahead of time, before you see the place. I do okay as a dentist, but my brother’s the one who put up the down payment. He’s a software engineer. He sold a few apps.”
Megan checked the address and nodded. “He sold more than a few apps,” she said.
“When you meet him, you should pretend that sort of thing impresses you, and that you think he’s cooler than me. I’ll know you’re faking it, of course, but he could use the self-esteem boost. The dinner party is in honor of his birthday. He’s turning the big three-oh, and he’s not very happy about getting older.”
“Can I sit on his lap and sing him Happy Birthday?”
“Seven o’clock,” he said. “Don’t bring any food or wine.”
“Are you trying to use reverse psychology on me?”
“Not at all,” he said. “My brother always gets enough food and wine to feed an army. All you need to bring is your gorgeous self.”
“And I will. Wearing nothing but a trench coat,” she said.
“Please wear clothes.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“I am, huh? I kinda like it when you tell me what to do. For such a pretty boy, you sure can play butch.”
He took a pen from the pen cup and wrote an address on a Post-it Note. “This is the house I live in with my brother. I just want to prepare you ahead of time, before you see the place. I do okay as a dentist, but my brother’s the one who put up the down payment. He’s a software engineer. He sold a few apps.”
Megan checked the address and nodded. “He sold more than a few apps,” she said.
“When you meet him, you should pretend that sort of thing impresses you, and that you think he’s cooler than me. I’ll know you’re faking it, of course, but he could use the self-esteem boost. The dinner party is in honor of his birthday. He’s turning the big three-oh, and he’s not very happy about getting older.”
“Can I sit on his lap and sing him Happy Birthday?”
“Seven o’clock,” he said. “Don’t bring any food or wine.”
“Are you trying to use reverse psychology on me?”
“Not at all,” he said. “My brother always gets enough food and wine to feed an army. All you need to bring is your gorgeous self.”
“And I will. Wearing nothing but a trench coat,” she said.
“Please wear clothes.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“He’s not just using me for my body,” Megan said. “He’s also using me as Prozac. Yesterday morning, Drew basically told me his life was all bleak like a black-and-white movie, and then I came into the picture and started rocking his world in Technicolor.”
“That’s not using someone,” Rory said. “That’s happiness.”
“No. It’s like a drug. I’m like a drug. But the effect on a guy only lasts for a while. When the drug high wears off, where does that leave me?”
“I don’t think that’s…” Rory trailed off, confused.
“You’ve never had a boyfriend, and you’ve never done drugs, so this is all a foreign concept to you. How can I put this in a metaphor you can understand?” Megan thought about it then went with the first idea that popped into her head, as she usually did. “I’m like cheap birthday cake. I’m the corner slice with all the icing. Drew is the greedy kid at the party. He wants me, the chunky corner piece with all the icing, but he’s going to get a stomach ache, and soon, he’s going to want his plain sandwiches again.”
Rory looked down, and there was only the sound of the washer and dryer.
Finally, she looked up, her eyes sad and hopeful at the same time, and said, “You’re not cake.”
“But I’m not exactly Tina, am I? I’m not the marrying kind. I’ll never get a guy as good as Luca. Nobody’s going to sell out the flower shop just to take me on a date. I’m the girl they call to help them fix a flat tire.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“That’s not using someone,” Rory said. “That’s happiness.”
“No. It’s like a drug. I’m like a drug. But the effect on a guy only lasts for a while. When the drug high wears off, where does that leave me?”
“I don’t think that’s…” Rory trailed off, confused.
“You’ve never had a boyfriend, and you’ve never done drugs, so this is all a foreign concept to you. How can I put this in a metaphor you can understand?” Megan thought about it then went with the first idea that popped into her head, as she usually did. “I’m like cheap birthday cake. I’m the corner slice with all the icing. Drew is the greedy kid at the party. He wants me, the chunky corner piece with all the icing, but he’s going to get a stomach ache, and soon, he’s going to want his plain sandwiches again.”
Rory looked down, and there was only the sound of the washer and dryer.
Finally, she looked up, her eyes sad and hopeful at the same time, and said, “You’re not cake.”
“But I’m not exactly Tina, am I? I’m not the marrying kind. I’ll never get a guy as good as Luca. Nobody’s going to sell out the flower shop just to take me on a date. I’m the girl they call to help them fix a flat tire.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Tina tried to focus on her letter tiles and words, letting the other two talk. Megan had a defiant personality—some might call it a disorder—so if Tina put her foot down and officially came out against the guy, Megan would only want him more.
Neither of them were trying to play the Scrabble board strategically, so Tina beat them easily.
Megan had one of her tantrums and tossed the board on the floor “by accident.”
When Megan was in the washroom, Tina whispered to Luca, “She’s a sore loser. Sorry I didn’t warn you about that.”
“It must have been fun growing up with a sister,” he said.
“You can have her.”
“I will. When we get married, she’ll be my sister.”
Tina was stunned. Talking about marriage? Already? Luca hadn’t been kidding around when he’d given her his heart to keep forever.
She nonchalantly said, “My family is all yours.”
Grinning, he pulled her in for a kiss.”
―
Neither of them were trying to play the Scrabble board strategically, so Tina beat them easily.
Megan had one of her tantrums and tossed the board on the floor “by accident.”
When Megan was in the washroom, Tina whispered to Luca, “She’s a sore loser. Sorry I didn’t warn you about that.”
“It must have been fun growing up with a sister,” he said.
“You can have her.”
“I will. When we get married, she’ll be my sister.”
Tina was stunned. Talking about marriage? Already? Luca hadn’t been kidding around when he’d given her his heart to keep forever.
She nonchalantly said, “My family is all yours.”
Grinning, he pulled her in for a kiss.”
―
“I was going to bring you breakfast in bed.”
“I don’t like crumbs in my bed,” she said. “Or people who don’t pay rent here.”
“You want rent?” He smiled as he finished the toast. “How much?”
She went to the kitchen, grabbed his big arm, and tried to pull him out. He leaned back and wouldn’t budge.
“Get out of here,” she said. “You’re banging into everything with your crutches.”
“I’m not going,” he said.
“Go sit on the couch. I’ll make you some eggs.”
“Nope,” he said. “I might be a jerk, and I might make mistakes, but I don’t make the same one twice.” She was still pulling on his arm when he let go of the counter. He fell against her, wrapping his arms around her. “Oops,” he said. “Clumsy me.”
“What are you doing?” Her voice was muffled from having his shoulder against her mouth.
She felt the rumble of his voice in his chest as he spoke. “You’re not pulling me or pushing me out of your life again. I shouldn’t have left you that night.”
“I want you to go.”
“If you really want me to go, I will, but I don’t think you do. Look at yourself. You’re hugging me.”
“If I let you go, you’ll fall down and break everything in my kitchen. Again.”
She squeezed her eyes shut and tensed her body, rejecting his hug while still being in it.
“When did I break everything in your kitchen?”
She didn’t answer.
“You mean I broke your heart when I left,” he said.
“You did.”
“What about you? You didn’t come to my grand opening. You sent me those boring funeral flowers and a generic card. You might as well have stuck an ice pick in my chest.”
“That was different.”
“You broke my heart,” he said. “I barely made it through the night. I’ve been barely making it through a lot of nights.”
Tina relaxed into the hug. There was a lump in her throat. She managed to choke out, “I don’t understand what happened with us.”
He reached up and stroked her upper back. “We had our first fight,” he said. “That’s what happened. And I didn’t know how to apologize. My bookkeeper quit helping me with my text messages, and I couldn’t go see my favorite florist for advice.”
She pulled away and poked him in the stomach with two fingers. “Don’t make jokes, Luca. Don’t make me laugh.”
“I shouldn’t have left you here that night,” he said, gazing down into her eyes. “But I was stubborn, and I thought I was right and you were wrong. Or maybe I was scared.”
“Why would you be scared?”
“My wrist hurts.” He kept looking into her eyes. “I know I only broke my foot last night, but when I fell, I reached out to break my fall. I’ve been thinking about this all morning, and the same thing must have happened with us.”
“Are you saying I hurt your wrist?”
“I think I realized I was falling, and I freaked out. I tried to stop my fall, but I only made it worse.” He leaned down and gently kissed her. “I tried to stop my fall, but then I broke both of us.”
She pulled away, slipped out of his arms, and took three steps back, until she was against the back of the sofa, with nowhere to go.
Luca said, “Don’t you dare run. I’ve got crutches, and I’m not afraid to use them.”
“Where would I go?”
He grinned. “I knew there was a reason I loved this house.”
―
“I don’t like crumbs in my bed,” she said. “Or people who don’t pay rent here.”
“You want rent?” He smiled as he finished the toast. “How much?”
She went to the kitchen, grabbed his big arm, and tried to pull him out. He leaned back and wouldn’t budge.
“Get out of here,” she said. “You’re banging into everything with your crutches.”
“I’m not going,” he said.
“Go sit on the couch. I’ll make you some eggs.”
“Nope,” he said. “I might be a jerk, and I might make mistakes, but I don’t make the same one twice.” She was still pulling on his arm when he let go of the counter. He fell against her, wrapping his arms around her. “Oops,” he said. “Clumsy me.”
“What are you doing?” Her voice was muffled from having his shoulder against her mouth.
She felt the rumble of his voice in his chest as he spoke. “You’re not pulling me or pushing me out of your life again. I shouldn’t have left you that night.”
“I want you to go.”
“If you really want me to go, I will, but I don’t think you do. Look at yourself. You’re hugging me.”
“If I let you go, you’ll fall down and break everything in my kitchen. Again.”
She squeezed her eyes shut and tensed her body, rejecting his hug while still being in it.
“When did I break everything in your kitchen?”
She didn’t answer.
“You mean I broke your heart when I left,” he said.
“You did.”
“What about you? You didn’t come to my grand opening. You sent me those boring funeral flowers and a generic card. You might as well have stuck an ice pick in my chest.”
“That was different.”
“You broke my heart,” he said. “I barely made it through the night. I’ve been barely making it through a lot of nights.”
Tina relaxed into the hug. There was a lump in her throat. She managed to choke out, “I don’t understand what happened with us.”
He reached up and stroked her upper back. “We had our first fight,” he said. “That’s what happened. And I didn’t know how to apologize. My bookkeeper quit helping me with my text messages, and I couldn’t go see my favorite florist for advice.”
She pulled away and poked him in the stomach with two fingers. “Don’t make jokes, Luca. Don’t make me laugh.”
“I shouldn’t have left you here that night,” he said, gazing down into her eyes. “But I was stubborn, and I thought I was right and you were wrong. Or maybe I was scared.”
“Why would you be scared?”
“My wrist hurts.” He kept looking into her eyes. “I know I only broke my foot last night, but when I fell, I reached out to break my fall. I’ve been thinking about this all morning, and the same thing must have happened with us.”
“Are you saying I hurt your wrist?”
“I think I realized I was falling, and I freaked out. I tried to stop my fall, but I only made it worse.” He leaned down and gently kissed her. “I tried to stop my fall, but then I broke both of us.”
She pulled away, slipped out of his arms, and took three steps back, until she was against the back of the sofa, with nowhere to go.
Luca said, “Don’t you dare run. I’ve got crutches, and I’m not afraid to use them.”
“Where would I go?”
He grinned. “I knew there was a reason I loved this house.”
―
“The next day, Dr. Drew Morgan walked into Gardenia Flowers and up to the counter. “I hear someone’s been eating a lot of candy,” he said.
Megan gave him a guilty look. “Who told you?”
“A little birdie told me.” He picked up the empty bag that had been on the counter since the day before and sniffed it. “Also, if you’re going to eat this junk, you need to hide the evidence better.”
“That’s my sister’s. She ate most of it. I swear. Some of it, anyway.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
Megan gave him a guilty look. “Who told you?”
“A little birdie told me.” He picked up the empty bag that had been on the counter since the day before and sniffed it. “Also, if you’re going to eat this junk, you need to hide the evidence better.”
“That’s my sister’s. She ate most of it. I swear. Some of it, anyway.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“I’ll have to throw these jeans away and get new ones,” Luca said. “Unless you want these to make a pair of cut-offs?”
“Your jeans would be way too big on me,” she said, not looking up from the bowl of ingredients she was mixing.
“But there’s something in them for you.”
She chuckled. “I bet there is.”
“Naughty girl,” he said. “I mean there’s something in the pocket for you. Do you want it?”
She walked over to him and held out her hand. “Sure. Whatever.”
He placed a tiny charm in the palm of her hand. A heart.
“It’s all yours now,” he said. “Even if you drop it, and step on it, and bend it out of shape, it’s still yours. I don’t want it back.”
“You had this in your pocket?”
“I’ve had it in my pocket every day for the last three months. Except one day when I thought I lost it in the washing machine, but then I found it in the filter. Don’t worry. It’s clean.”
She stared at the heart and thought about all the times she’d taken the alley to work, or ducked into a store to avoid seeing Luca on the street. All the times she’d missed her chance to get Luca’s heart back.
“I can understand if you don’t want my stupid heart,” he said. “If I were you, I wouldn’t take me back either, because I’m not always a fan of Luca Lowell. He doesn’t always do the right thing.”
“Don’t say that.”
“It’s true. If I hadn’t gotten backed into by a truck last night and hadn’t gone to the hospital, I don’t know if you ever would have brought me back to your house. Back into your life.”
“My tiny house, and my tiny life.”
He shrugged. “It’s big enough for me.” He stretched out on the sectional. “You’ll have a hard time kicking me out again.”
“Luca, I can’t make you any promises.”
“Yes, you can. You can promise to give me a second chance the next time I screw up.”
“You didn’t screw up. I did. I’m the one who kicked you out.”
“Then I’ll give you a second chance. I won’t be a chicken and take the alley to work so I don’t run into you.”
“You did that?”
“Only for about a week, until your sister busted me sneaking through the alley like a burglar, and tore me a new one.” He rubbed his beard. “You know, now that I’m thinking over my conversations with her, it’s all making sense. She must have thought Chris’s wife was my girlfriend. The two of them stop by the garage a lot, but not always together. I thought your sister was being—well, you know how she is—but now I think I understand what was really going on.”
Tina looked down at the heart in her palm then at Luca. She closed her fingers around the charm.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m not going to drop it again.”
There was a scratch at the door. Luca rolled himself along the couch, reached out with one long arm, and opened the door.
Muffins strolled in like he owned the place.
Luca exclaimed, “Kitty!”
Muffins jumped up on the couch and started sniffing Luca’s cast. Then he meowed about dinner.
Luca picked the cat up gently and held him like a baby. “You are a cutie patootie,” he said, then he cleared his throat and said gruffly, “Yes, uh. This is a healthy cat specimen. A strong hunter. I can tell by his, uh, ample midsection.”
Tina said, “That’s some pretty impressive baby talk for a big, tough guy like you.”
“Big, tough guys have feelings, too,” Luca said. “And they like cats.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Your jeans would be way too big on me,” she said, not looking up from the bowl of ingredients she was mixing.
“But there’s something in them for you.”
She chuckled. “I bet there is.”
“Naughty girl,” he said. “I mean there’s something in the pocket for you. Do you want it?”
She walked over to him and held out her hand. “Sure. Whatever.”
He placed a tiny charm in the palm of her hand. A heart.
“It’s all yours now,” he said. “Even if you drop it, and step on it, and bend it out of shape, it’s still yours. I don’t want it back.”
“You had this in your pocket?”
“I’ve had it in my pocket every day for the last three months. Except one day when I thought I lost it in the washing machine, but then I found it in the filter. Don’t worry. It’s clean.”
She stared at the heart and thought about all the times she’d taken the alley to work, or ducked into a store to avoid seeing Luca on the street. All the times she’d missed her chance to get Luca’s heart back.
“I can understand if you don’t want my stupid heart,” he said. “If I were you, I wouldn’t take me back either, because I’m not always a fan of Luca Lowell. He doesn’t always do the right thing.”
“Don’t say that.”
“It’s true. If I hadn’t gotten backed into by a truck last night and hadn’t gone to the hospital, I don’t know if you ever would have brought me back to your house. Back into your life.”
“My tiny house, and my tiny life.”
He shrugged. “It’s big enough for me.” He stretched out on the sectional. “You’ll have a hard time kicking me out again.”
“Luca, I can’t make you any promises.”
“Yes, you can. You can promise to give me a second chance the next time I screw up.”
“You didn’t screw up. I did. I’m the one who kicked you out.”
“Then I’ll give you a second chance. I won’t be a chicken and take the alley to work so I don’t run into you.”
“You did that?”
“Only for about a week, until your sister busted me sneaking through the alley like a burglar, and tore me a new one.” He rubbed his beard. “You know, now that I’m thinking over my conversations with her, it’s all making sense. She must have thought Chris’s wife was my girlfriend. The two of them stop by the garage a lot, but not always together. I thought your sister was being—well, you know how she is—but now I think I understand what was really going on.”
Tina looked down at the heart in her palm then at Luca. She closed her fingers around the charm.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m not going to drop it again.”
There was a scratch at the door. Luca rolled himself along the couch, reached out with one long arm, and opened the door.
Muffins strolled in like he owned the place.
Luca exclaimed, “Kitty!”
Muffins jumped up on the couch and started sniffing Luca’s cast. Then he meowed about dinner.
Luca picked the cat up gently and held him like a baby. “You are a cutie patootie,” he said, then he cleared his throat and said gruffly, “Yes, uh. This is a healthy cat specimen. A strong hunter. I can tell by his, uh, ample midsection.”
Tina said, “That’s some pretty impressive baby talk for a big, tough guy like you.”
“Big, tough guys have feelings, too,” Luca said. “And they like cats.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“No offense, Luca, but he’s really hot. Way hotter than you.”
Luca was hanging on her every word. “Why would I take offense to that?”
Megan explained that the new guy was way hotter than Luca. She then went on to describe him, in detail. She went on for a while about his argyle socks and how they hugged his ankles. Also about how she wanted to lick his face.”
―
Luca was hanging on her every word. “Why would I take offense to that?”
Megan explained that the new guy was way hotter than Luca. She then went on to describe him, in detail. She went on for a while about his argyle socks and how they hugged his ankles. Also about how she wanted to lick his face.”
―
“Just call her. People do too much by phones and apps. It’s terrible for the human mind. Apps are ruining society.”
“And yet those same apps have made you a rich man.”
“Why do you think I’m so grumpy all the time? It’s not about turning thirty. I may be having an existential crisis.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Drew said.
“I bought this house with blood money,” Alan said.
“I’m not sure that’s what blood money means.” Drew patted his chest. “And I should know. Everything Dad and I purchase is bought with blood money. Teeth bleed. Gums bleed. It’s all blood money.”
“Stop trying to make me laugh. I’m turning thirty, and I’ve done nothing but contribute to the further destruction of society’s fabric. I don’t want to feel better.”
“Get used to it. When Megan comes over, you’re going to have to lighten up. She doesn’t tolerate people feeling sorry for themselves and moping around. It’s one of the many things I love about her.”
Alan raised an eyebrow. “Love?”
“Sure,” Drew said, lifting his chin. “I love many things about her. I may even love her.”
“Good for you,” Alan said. “I’m happy for you, bro.” He put the marble cheese platters into the fridge to chill then sighed. “Now I know what I forgot,” he said to the closed fridge door. “Flowers. What kind of animal throws a dinner party with no fresh flowers?”
Drew rubbed his temples. “I’m sending a psychic message to Megan. I’m asking her to bring over some flowers from the shop.”
“You’re crazy.”
Drew closed his eyes. “I’ve got a good feeling about this. Megan and I got off to a bad start, but we’ve had excellent, clear communication with each other since then.”
“Clear enough for psychic messages?”
“Can’t hurt to try. What’s the worst that could happen?”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“And yet those same apps have made you a rich man.”
“Why do you think I’m so grumpy all the time? It’s not about turning thirty. I may be having an existential crisis.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Drew said.
“I bought this house with blood money,” Alan said.
“I’m not sure that’s what blood money means.” Drew patted his chest. “And I should know. Everything Dad and I purchase is bought with blood money. Teeth bleed. Gums bleed. It’s all blood money.”
“Stop trying to make me laugh. I’m turning thirty, and I’ve done nothing but contribute to the further destruction of society’s fabric. I don’t want to feel better.”
“Get used to it. When Megan comes over, you’re going to have to lighten up. She doesn’t tolerate people feeling sorry for themselves and moping around. It’s one of the many things I love about her.”
Alan raised an eyebrow. “Love?”
“Sure,” Drew said, lifting his chin. “I love many things about her. I may even love her.”
“Good for you,” Alan said. “I’m happy for you, bro.” He put the marble cheese platters into the fridge to chill then sighed. “Now I know what I forgot,” he said to the closed fridge door. “Flowers. What kind of animal throws a dinner party with no fresh flowers?”
Drew rubbed his temples. “I’m sending a psychic message to Megan. I’m asking her to bring over some flowers from the shop.”
“You’re crazy.”
Drew closed his eyes. “I’ve got a good feeling about this. Megan and I got off to a bad start, but we’ve had excellent, clear communication with each other since then.”
“Clear enough for psychic messages?”
“Can’t hurt to try. What’s the worst that could happen?”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Talk to me,” he said. “I’m not leaving this room until you do.”
“Just get dressed and go. You can’t be late for work. You have an important job. People are waiting for you. Patients. You don’t have time for me and my dumb stuff.”
“I’ll call my staff. They can reschedule today’s appointments, or one of the other partners can take over for me. I left here too soon once, and I’m not making that mistake again.”
She turned around and gave him a sultry look. “You want more of this?”
Drew’s face was serious, his brown eyes full of concern. “Talk to me. For real. Feather did say we might be able to help each other.”
“I can help you out of those tight sweatpants, if you stop talking.” She came at him, but he caught her easily and held her back, his hands around her wrists. Drew must have been playing weak the night before, letting her win. He was strong when he wanted to be.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Just get dressed and go. You can’t be late for work. You have an important job. People are waiting for you. Patients. You don’t have time for me and my dumb stuff.”
“I’ll call my staff. They can reschedule today’s appointments, or one of the other partners can take over for me. I left here too soon once, and I’m not making that mistake again.”
She turned around and gave him a sultry look. “You want more of this?”
Drew’s face was serious, his brown eyes full of concern. “Talk to me. For real. Feather did say we might be able to help each other.”
“I can help you out of those tight sweatpants, if you stop talking.” She came at him, but he caught her easily and held her back, his hands around her wrists. Drew must have been playing weak the night before, letting her win. He was strong when he wanted to be.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“Mom won’t like Megan.”
“That’s a bonus,” Alan said. “I love it when Mom has to pretend she likes someone she doesn’t. Remember when I was dating that dancer, and I told Mom she was a stripper? Priceless. You can’t buy entertainment like that."
Drew pulled out his phone and spoke the words of his text message as he composed it.
“Having a good Saturday? I’m helping my brother get ready for tonight’s seven-course gala dinner. Don’t worry, you can still wear your Beijing T-shirt. If things get too stuffy, you can liven things up by throwing a drink in someone’s face.”
“She’d better not throw a drink in anyone’s face,” Alan said. “We’re serving red wine, and I have a new carpet in the dining room.”
“It’s just one of our little in-jokes,” Drew said.
“Based on what?”
“She threw some water in my face once.”
“Were you outside having a water balloon fight with a bunch of children?”
“No.”
“Were you washing cars for a fundraiser?”
“No.”
“Then I have to ask, big brother. Where were you, and what were you doing when this Megan girl threw a drink in your face?”
“We were talking, in a pub.”
Alan grinned. “I will pay for your entire wedding if you propose to her in front of Mom.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“That’s a bonus,” Alan said. “I love it when Mom has to pretend she likes someone she doesn’t. Remember when I was dating that dancer, and I told Mom she was a stripper? Priceless. You can’t buy entertainment like that."
Drew pulled out his phone and spoke the words of his text message as he composed it.
“Having a good Saturday? I’m helping my brother get ready for tonight’s seven-course gala dinner. Don’t worry, you can still wear your Beijing T-shirt. If things get too stuffy, you can liven things up by throwing a drink in someone’s face.”
“She’d better not throw a drink in anyone’s face,” Alan said. “We’re serving red wine, and I have a new carpet in the dining room.”
“It’s just one of our little in-jokes,” Drew said.
“Based on what?”
“She threw some water in my face once.”
“Were you outside having a water balloon fight with a bunch of children?”
“No.”
“Were you washing cars for a fundraiser?”
“No.”
“Then I have to ask, big brother. Where were you, and what were you doing when this Megan girl threw a drink in your face?”
“We were talking, in a pub.”
Alan grinned. “I will pay for your entire wedding if you propose to her in front of Mom.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“The bridezilla in Gardenia Flowers was winding up for a big fight with the big guns.
But then Megan Gardenia disarmed her with five simple words. “I’m sorry I said that.”
Bridezilla fired a blank and dropped her arms. “What?”
“I shouldn’t have said that,” Megan said. “It was wrong of me.” She was really getting the hang of the whole apology thing.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
But then Megan Gardenia disarmed her with five simple words. “I’m sorry I said that.”
Bridezilla fired a blank and dropped her arms. “What?”
“I shouldn’t have said that,” Megan said. “It was wrong of me.” She was really getting the hang of the whole apology thing.”
― Romancing the Complicated Girl
“And what a renovation it was. It’s so masculine. One might call it a man-ovation.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know we were already at the pun stage of the relationship. I suppose next you’ll be shaving your legs with my razor.”
“We are on the fifth date,” she said. “The fifth date is for bad puns. Stealing your razor doesn’t happen for a while.”
“I’m glad someone knows the routine.”
―
He raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know we were already at the pun stage of the relationship. I suppose next you’ll be shaving your legs with my razor.”
“We are on the fifth date,” she said. “The fifth date is for bad puns. Stealing your razor doesn’t happen for a while.”
“I’m glad someone knows the routine.”
―
“You should be resting,” she said.
“I would happily rest, if I could get the prettiest, sweetest, funniest woman I’ve ever met to stop hating me.”
“I don’t hate you,” she said.
He pointed to his lips. “Prove it.”
―
“I would happily rest, if I could get the prettiest, sweetest, funniest woman I’ve ever met to stop hating me.”
“I don’t hate you,” she said.
He pointed to his lips. “Prove it.”
―
