“Okay, I gotta go. I’ll probably see you tonight, though.”
“Why… Oh… Megan,” Brent said darkly.
“Are you seriously jealous of your own sister?” I asked, only partly amused.
“I’m just saying, dude…you need to sort out your priorities.”
Rolling my eyes, I hung up on Brent and got dressed. I did a few chores around the apartment, something I’d been neglecting for weeks, and then I started getting ready for my date with Megan. It was a little early to be leaving already, but I figured the earlier I left, the more time I’d get with her.
Brent was the one who opened the door for me when I got there, looking like he was in a bit of a mood. “Oh, it’s you,” he said, walking back towards his spot on the couch.
“Where’s Megan?” I asked.
“In the bathroom, getting ready,” Brent replied.
She came out a second later. It amazed me how she managed to look casual and beautiful at the same time. She was wearing jeans, a white blouse that hugged her perfect figure, and she was wearing her hair up tonight. I wanted to kiss her, but I decided not to do it in front of Brent. He was being childish lately, and I didn’t want to give him any more ammo.
“Hi,” Megan said, giving me a smile and a chaste peck on the cheek. “Ready to go?”
“Yep.” I nodded.
She grabbed her keys and turned to her brother. “Hey, just so you know I cleaned out your room this morning.”
“Thanks.” He nodded, without looking away from the television.
“There’s something wrong with your closet door, though… I think it’s jammed. I couldn’t get in.”
“It’s locked,” he replied.
Megan frowned. “Why would you lock your closet door?”
“Because that’s where I stash my porno collection.”
“Eww,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “In that case, thanks for locking your closet.”
Shaking my head at Brent, Megan and I headed out into town. We discussed movies and music on our way to the restaurant and by the time we reached the city, the stress and pain of the previous day had melted away. I was starting to feel focused and determined again.
We walked into the restaurant holding hands, and the waiter showed us to the table I’d reserved the previous day.
“Wow, you need reservations here,” Megan said, looking around. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to a place this fancy before.”
“Neither have I,” I admitted. “But I work hard for a living, and I’d like to be able to enjoy the finer things in life from time to time. And I really wanted to treat you to a nice sit-down dinner.”
Megan gave me a heartfelt smile. “You’re too good to me.”
“It’s nothing you don’t deserve.”
She stretched her hand out towards me, and we linked fingers over the table. It was amazing how easily she could transform my mood. It was amazing how easily she could transform my perspective. And just like that, I saw us together, ten, twenty years from now, sitting at a restaurant like this discussing our children.
It was a scary thought…but the good kind of scary. It was the kind of fear that made me excited and hopeful and full of purpose.
Chapter Sixteen
Megan
“Hi, honey,” Marta said as she breezed into her cubicle next to mine.
“Hi, Marta,” I greeted.