Must Love Flowers(44)
Dr. O’Brien had given Joan a workbook, and Maggie had seen her poring over the questions, writing down her thoughts. At one point, Joan had gotten upset over something she’d read and slammed the pencil down, causing Maggie to jerk with surprise. Joan had immediately apologized, although she didn’t offer an explanation.
“Weren’t you heading to the movies?” Joan asked, looking up from the puzzle. She’d set it up on a card table and had been diligently working on the border and hadn’t seemed to notice Maggie was in the same room.
Maggie’s hand gently petted Edison as she explained. “Everyone is busy, and I didn’t want to go alone.”
“I bet Nick would jump at the chance to go with you.”
“Maybe,” Maggie agreed, although she doubted Joan’s son would be interested. True, they’d made peace with each other, but their friendship was new, and she didn’t want to make assumptions.
“You won’t know unless you ask,” Joan encouraged.
“I don’t have his contact information.” This was true, and a way of telling Joan, who obviously would have his number, that she was reluctant to reach out to Nick with an invitation. He might get the wrong idea. Joan’s son might believe she was interested in a relationship, and she wasn’t. Well, maybe she was, but if that relationship didn’t work out it might impact the one between her and Joan.
“I’ll invite him to dinner,” Joan suggested, “and you can ask him then.”
“Please don’t on my behalf,” Maggie said. She feared putting Nick on the spot like that would do more harm than good. “You can invite him to dinner, of course, but please don’t mention the movie.”
“Why not? I thought you two had resolved your differences.”
“We have,” she said, and went back to reading her book, not wanting to belabor the subject.
No more than thirty minutes later, Nick popped in unannounced.
Joan looked pleased to see her son. “This is a welcome surprise,” she said as Nick confidently walked into the family room.
“I like surprising my mom,” he said, kissing Joan on the cheek. His attention swerved to Maggie. “It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon, I thought I’d check in to see what the two of you were up to.”
Joan didn’t hesitate. “Maggie wanted to go to the movies, but all her friends are busy.”
Nick perked up like this was the best news he’d heard in weeks. “I could see a movie. Let’s go.”
Maggie’s spirits immediately lifted, although she didn’t want to look overly eager. “You don’t need—”
He interrupted her. “I want to. What time is the next showing?”
“Don’t you want to know which movie I’d wanted to see?” she asked, tickled by his enthusiasm and a bit wary of it at the same time. “It might not be one that interests you.”
“I’m okay with whatever it is, as long as it isn’t a chick flick.”
“Is there something wrong with chick flicks?” she wanted to know, staring him down.
“Well, yes, they’re…you know…”
“I don’t know, so kindly enlighten me.” Maggie was amused, watching him squirm, knowing he was about to dig himself into a hole. She’d enjoy seeing him attempt to dig himself out.
Nick looked to his mother for help. Joan blatantly ignored him.
“Nick?” Maggie asked again. “What’s wrong with a chick flick?”
Seeing that his mother wasn’t coming to his aid, he buried his hands in his jeans pockets and said, “They’re…girly.”
“Girly,” she repeated, letting him know by her tone she considered that ridiculous.
Nick sighed and shrugged. “Okay, fine. If you want to see a chick flick I’ll go, but you’re buying the popcorn.”
Maggie laughed. “Deal.” She reached for her phone and checked the movie times and purchased the tickets online.
“What are we seeing?” Nick asked.
“It’ll be a surprise. I bought the tickets, so you’re buying the popcorn.” She didn’t want Nick to think of this as a date as much as two friends spending a Sunday afternoon together.
“That sounds fair.”
Good, he understood her intention. “We don’t have a lot of time if we’re going to make the show,” she said, setting aside the book and bouncing up from the chair. Edison yawned and stretched his stubby legs while arching his back.
“That’s my cue to take him outside,” Joan said, rescuing the puppy from the chair and heading out the front door.
Maggie grabbed her raincoat and purse while Nick waited at the front door.
Joan stood on the porch steps out of the rain, while Edison quickly did his business.
“Good boy,” Joan praised the puppy, and gave Maggie a thumbs-up. “Success,” she said, scooping up Edison and taking him back into the house.
“I’ll drive,” Nick said.
“Okay.” With the price of gas, Maggie wasn’t going to complain.
* * *
—
By the time they bought the popcorn and drinks, the previews were running. This Tom Cruise movie had gotten a lot of rave reviews and Maggie wasn’t disappointed. She could see Nick’s relief that it wasn’t a chick flick. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten buttered popcorn. This was a decadent treat, and she intended to savor every minute.