Escape With Me (With Me in Seattle 16)

“You and a lot of other people,” she says. “I can’t tell you how many calls I get from people just wanting to look at a house with no intention of actually buying it.”

“I bet that happens a lot with the big, fancy houses,” I say.

“If it’s over a million, I have a stipulation that I’ll only show to people who are pre-approved for a mortgage. That usually helps carve out the lookie-loos.”

“Good idea.” I spear some lettuce with my fork and take a bite.

“I don’t get to talk to you as often as Maggie does,” Maeve says and sips her wine. “So I’m just going to get to the point. What’s going on with you and Keegan? Shawn said he walked in on you two making out in the bar yesterday.”

“What?” Maggie exclaims and stares at me in shock. “You don’t tell me anything!”

“It was just a kiss,” I insist and feel my cheeks flush. “And I’m not used to confiding in people. As you could probably tell, my friends from before weren’t exactly good ones.”

“Have any of them reached out to you?” Maeve asks.

“Only one, to rub Troy’s trip to Aruba in my face.”

“Bitches,” she mutters.

“Well, you can confide in us. Or Stasia and Lexi. We won’t tell anyone anything you don’t want told,” Maggie insists.

“I like him a lot,” I admit and stare down at my half-eaten slice of pepperoni pizza. “He’s sweet and thoughtful. He listens to me. And you may not want to hear this, but your brother can kiss.”

“Ew.” Maggie scrunches up her nose. “TMI.”

“Be careful there,” Maeve advises. “He’s definitely all of those things— Well, I wouldn’t know about the kissing, but you know what I mean. But he’s also very married to that pub.”

“She’s right,” Maggie agrees. “He’s a great guy, but he doesn’t really date anyone for very long. It’s not that he’s a player, really, it’s just that he gets absorbed in running his business, and the girl gets pushed to the back burner.”

“And you don’t deserve to be the back-burner girl,” Maeve adds. “You’re a front and center, rolling boil kind of girl.”

I stare at both of them. “Are you warning me away from your brother?”

“No, not at all. Actually, we really like you for him. I wasn’t kidding when I said you’re cute together.” Maggie grins at me. “We just want you to be aware of what you’re getting yourself into.”

“Basically, a good time without long-term strings attached,” I say.

“Yeah, I think that’s probably an accurate assumption,” Maeve says. “So, have fun with him, but don’t fall in love with him.”

What if it’s too late for that?

“Thanks for the advice, you guys.”

“I hope we didn’t hurt your feelings,” Maeve insists. “Because I really do like you, and I hope I get to know you even better. And Keegan is a good guy. He doesn’t try to hurt anyone.”

“No, I’m sure he doesn’t.”

This gives me a lot to think about.

“Okay, let’s not talk about that depressing stuff anymore,” Maggie says. “I want to hear more about the meteorologist thing.”

“What meteorologist thing?” Maeve asks.

“Izzy went to school to be a weather girl.”

Maeve’s eyes widen, and her gaze flies to mine. “Really? Why aren’t you doing that?”

“It’s a long, sad story,” I say with a laugh, but give them the CliffsNotes version of the tale I told Keegan the other day.

“But you’re trained,” Maggie adds. “Like, you could do it?”

“Sure.”

“Show us,” Maeve says.

I blink at her. “What?”

“Show us, right here. Do a mock weather report.”

“Make it a dramatic winter storm report,” Maggie adds, clapping her hands.

“This is fun. Okay.” I jump off the stool at Maeve’s breakfast bar and rub my hands down my thighs, suddenly nervous. “I haven’t done this in a little while.”

“You’re going to be great,” Maggie insists.

I stand in front of the wall and pretend it’s the green screen. “I need a key fob.”

“Here,” Maeve says and pulls one out of her purse, tossing it my way.

I glance off to the left as if I’m looking at a monitor and use the fob as a pretend clicker to cycle through the screens.

“Good morning to you on this chilly day. I’m sure you’re already noticing that it’s cold outside, and this weather is going to continue into tomorrow evening. As you can see here, Seattle has a high of just twenty-four degrees, and that’s much colder than we’re used to in the Pacific Northwest.”

I go on to describe the low pressure and the forecast for the next several days. When I’m finished, both girls give me a standing ovation.

“Okay, first of all, you are badass at that,” Maeve says.

“Yeah, why aren’t you doing that for a living?” Maggie asks. “And, yes, I know because of your parents, but you can do it now.”

“You’re beautiful, and I know you’d look amazing on camera. Seriously, what would be involved in getting you into this as a regular gig?”