Page 112 of The Me I Left Behind

Julia’s words rang in her head. But does taking care of oneself equate to having coffee with a handsome man she barely knew? She wasn’t sure that it did.

She couldn’t just walk away, however. That would be rude. And if anything, she wouldn’t mind nurturing this relationship for the sake of art—his classes and such. Besides, she loved shopping at his store and didn’t want to stop doing that.

Friends. They could be friends.

She got out and stepped onto the sidewalk. Andy caught up with her at the door and opened it for her.

They made eye contact. “I thought for a minute there you were going to ditch me,” he said.

Maggie took a breath. “I think I almost did.”

He smiled, and it warmed her heart a little. “It’s just coffee, Maggie.”

Just coffee was exactlywhat she needed.

Conversation with someone other than her girlfriends, or her children, was very welcome. She’d learned about Andy’s daughter, Anna, and his ex-wife, Kate, who lived in Rocky Mount, too. They shared joint custody, and Andy swore it was the best thing for Anna.

Maggie revealed little about Max—just that they were divorcing and that he was currently living out of the country. She figured she could leave the details for another time—if there would be another time.

They chatted about second-grade girls and other random topics. Then he invited her, again, to an acrylics class on Thursday. She didn’t commit, but said she’d think about it.

Forty-five minutes later, they went their separate ways.

Maggie eased out a very lengthy sigh once she got in the car. She took a minute to herself, thinking over the past hour.

“Nice,” she murmured. “That was nice.”

But it was time to get on with her day. Grasping her cell, she quickly texted Julia.

Maggie:I’m stopping by the storage place this morning.

Julia:Sure you want to go by yourself?

Maggie:I’ll be fine. Yes.

Julia:I bet Louise knows things.

Maggie:I wonder if they have cameras.

Julia:Ask to see the footage.

Maggie:What if she refuses? Wants a court order?

Julia:Tell her your lawyer will be in touch.

Maggie:Gotcha. Will get back with you.

She sat there a moment longer, holding her phone and staring at the messages. Should she mention her coffee chat to Julia?

No. I’ll keep that to myself.

She headed on over to Sunset Drive.

Louise jerked her head up from her work as Maggie stepped inside the cramped office.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

She didn’t appear to recognize her, but Maggie wondered if that was true. If not, the woman possessed a damn good poker face.