Laugh Like You've Never Cried (Summer Lake 5) (17 page)

Megan knew she was blushing. How were they comfortable talking like that? About....sex!

Laura smiled at her. “Hi Megan. I'm sorry. That was probably too much information before I even said hello. You'll get used to us, although you must be used to 'anything goes' humor with Michael.”

Megan nodded. She supposed she was—getting used to it.

Laura smiled at her now. “I'm so happy the two of you got together. He's such a great guy. Are you coming out tonight?”

She nodded. “I think so.”

Laura seemed to understand. “Please come? You'll have fun.”

Megan decided she just needed to keep being honest. “I'd like to. I just don't do well in groups. I think Michael will have more fun if we come out with all of you though.

Laura smiled. “From what I've seen him of him this week, I don't think he'll care where he goes as long as it's with you.”

Wow! They all seemed to think that he really liked her.

“Leave the poor girl alone,” said Missy. “She'll come if she wants to, but if we all keep questioning her, she'll probably never want to come out again.” She smiled at Megan. “Isn't that right, hon?”

Megan nodded gratefully.

“Okay, down to business as usual then,” said Holly. “I have a question. Where the hell do you get a Brazilian around here? I've had to miss my last two appointments in the city and I'd love to have a fallback option here. Jackie at the salon doesn't do them, and the girl at the resort has left for the winter.”

Emma laughed. “You know there's no point asking me. I'm a natural girl and Jack loves it.”

Megan blushed. They were talking about hairy privates! Or how to make them non hairy.

“I can't offer you my solution,” said Missy. “I'm a DIY girl. Trimmed and shaped by my own fair hand.”

Holly laughed. “I should have guessed.” She looked at Laura. “Looks like you're my best hope, girlfriend. You must be a Brazilian girl.”

Laura smiled at Megan. “Aren't you glad she's not interrogating you?”

Megan laughed, even though she knew her cheeks were bright red. This was fun, if a little embarrassing.

Laura tucked a strand of her long, dark hair behind her ear as she turned back to Holly. “I'm afraid I can't tell you about local. I haven't found anyone here yet.” She had that raunchy grin going again as she added, “And I'm not quite a full Brazilian girl either.”

The others looked at her, puzzled. Megan couldn't hold back a giggle. She didn't do any waxing herself, not anymore. That had been one of Adrian's likes, and one of the many things she was relieved about after they'd finished. She did know the different options though. She giggled again and the others looked at her baffled.

Laura turned to her. “Thank you! At least you get it.”

She nodded, still giggling.

“Okay, fill the rest of us in,” said Emma.

Laura nodded at Megan. “Go on, I'll let you tell them.”

“I'm guessing she has a landing strip!”

The other three burst out laughing.

Laura's eyes were shining. “Well, I need to give my pilot a safe place to land!”

They were still giggling when Ben stopped by their table. He smiled around at them. “From the expressions on your faces, I shouldn't even ask, right?”

Laura shook her head vigorously. “Please don't, Ben.”

He grinned at her. “Done. It strikes me I'd probably end up more embarrassed than you would.”

“Wise move, hon,” said Missy.

He turned to Megan. “I have to watch myself around these ladies. They can get a little risky.”

Holly laughed. “You don't need to apologize for us, Ben. Megan definitely fits right in.”

Megan smiled up at Ben. She was enjoying herself, and Holly's words meant the world to her. To fit right in? With a bunch of girlfriends? Girlfriends who joked about sex and their boyfriends, and
her
boyfriend? Before she came to Summer Lake, she would never have dared to dream that her life would be like this.

Ben smiled back at her. “So, dare I ask if you're coming tonight?”

Megan made her decision. She nodded. “I am.”

Emma clapped her hands together. “Oh, good!”

Laura grinned. “Yay! I can't wait.”

Missy touched her arm. “Welcome to the gang, hon!”

***

M
ichael pulled into the square at the resort and looked across at Megan. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

She nodded, but she looked scared.

He winked at her. “I don't mind if you'd rather go home. I told you, you can torment me with that dress until I have to tear it off you. I'm getting close to that point already.”

She smiled. “But I haven’t tormented you yet.”

“You're tormenting me just by being in it. It does such a good job of showing off your hot little self. I need to get to what's underneath it.”

“That's partly what I'm worried about, Michael. I like you seeing me, but being out with everyone else makes me want to hide inside a sweatshirt.”

“You're going to knock 'em dead, little one. The guys won't be able to keep their eyes off you, and the girls will all be jealous.”

He was trying to build her up, but it seemed to be having the opposite effect. She looked even more nervous now. “I don't think these girls will be jealous, they're all so beautiful. But Michael, that was why I started hiding in the first place. Boys noticed me and girls bullied me for it.”

Damn. He should have remembered that. “But that was when you were a kid, Meggie. You're all grown up now.” He ran his eyes over her as he said it. “And these are our friends, not a bunch of high school kids.”

She nodded. “I know. That's why I'm here.” She smiled at him. There was such trust in her eyes. “I want to do this. I want to come out with your friends, they're nice people. Most of all I want to be out with you. Just promise you'll come rescue me if look panicky?”

He leaned across and cupped her face between his hands, planting a kiss on her lips. “I won't be able to come rescue you.”

She looked scared again at that.

He laughed. “I won't be able to come to the rescue, because I'll already be right there. I don't plan on leaving your side, Meggie.”

She brought her own hands up to cup his face as well and they stared into each other’s eyes for a moment. “Okay, then Doctor Morgan. Let's go do this.”

She clung tightly to his hand while he led her through the bar. He'd been right. He was aware of guys' heads turning to look at her as they made their way over to where the gang was sitting. It made him grin, but it also brought out that possessive side he'd never known he had until he met her. He let go of her hand, but only so he could put his arm around her shoulders and pull her close in to his side, making a clear statement to every guy who looked at her—she was with him. She was so tiny she fit under his arm. It did seem she was made to measure, just for him.

As they approached the table he could see she was getting appreciative looks from the guys there too. He had to laugh. Smoke especially looked like a wolf eyeing a lamb. Laura smiled at Michael and rolled her eyes. She certainly wasn't one to get jealous. She had way too much confidence in herself, and in her man. Michael was pleased to see that she seemed to understand Megan as well.

Laura smiled at her. “Hey, Megan.” She patted the seat beside her. “I know what it's like to be the new face with this crowd. You come sit by me. We can always take off, if they get to be too much.”

“Hey!” Smoke snaked an arm around Laura’s waist and pulled her against him. “You're not taking off anywhere. I haven't seen you all week. Tonight, you are mine!”

Michael smiled at the little pink stains on Laura's cheeks as she pushed at her fiancé with a laugh. “Alright, jerk! No need to go all Neanderthal on me.”

Smoke glowered at her, though Michael could see the laughter in his eyes. Those two were always sparring. They were a great match.

He pulled out the seat for Megan then sat down beside her, drawing his own chair right up next to her, resting his arm around her shoulders. She smiled up at him gratefully. Man, he could get used to this!

Pete grinned at him. “S'up, Michael? Are you ever going to work again, or are you going to be a man of leisure now you're back?”

“I was considering retiring,” he joked, “but the old man beat me to it. I'm going to be back in the clinic on Monday. It might be quiet for a while though. Most folks in town have been going to Dad all their lives. He'd like to start lightening his load right away, but I don't think many of them will switch over to me before they have to when he retires.”

“Well, if you're taking on new patients, you can sign me up,” said Jack.

Michael nodded. “Be glad to, mate.” He didn't know Jack that well, but he liked him. He seemed like a decent guy.

“And me,” said Smoke. “And if you want to take the AME training, I can probably send a lot of business your way once the flight school is up and running.”

Michael raised an eyebrow at him. “AME?”

Smoke grinned. “Sorry, yeah. Aviation Medical Examiner. All pilots need a medical certificate before they're cleared to fly. Only FAA designated Examiners can conduct the medical exams and issue the certificates. There aren't any within a hundred miles of here. I'd love to have someone local, and I'll have a lot of students to send your way.”

Michael nodded. That could be interesting. “I'll give you a shout in the week, mate. You can tell me about the training.”

Emma smiled at him. “Sorry, Michael, but I registered with your Dad when I came back. I'm going to stick with him until he retires.”

Michael laughed and looked at Holly and Laura. “What do you say, ladies? Do you need a local doctor?” He waggled his eyebrows. “Want a free breast exam?”

They both laughed and Holly threw a peanut at him. “No, thank you!”

He ducked and wrapped both arms around Megan. “Some people just have no sense of humor, do they, darl'?”

She smiled up at him. “Or is it that some people have no sense of decency
, Doctor?
”

He grinned. “Are you saying I'm indecent, Meggie?”

She just laughed at him.

“I'll show you indecent, little lady!” He pulled her from her chair and onto his knee, planting noisy kisses in her hair and on her neck. The way she was squirming in his lap made him want to take her home right now and get down to the indecent stuff.

“Leave her alone, Michael!” laughed Emma.

He sat still, but kept his arms wrapped around her. He could feel her relax as she leaned back against him. The conversation had moved on, but he wasn't paying attention anymore. He couldn't focus on anything other than how good she felt.

M
egan stared at herself in the mirror while she washed her hands. She did like the way she looked. This dress was a little short, but she loved the way she felt in it. She felt sexy! At least she thought it was the dress that made her feel that way. She smiled. It could just be Michael though. He'd been true to his word and not left her side all night. He seemed to know absolutely everyone in the place. Lots of people had stopped by their table while they ate to chat with him. He'd introduced her as his girlfriend every single time. She'd tried to hide how thrilled she was the second time one of the women who'd come to talk to him had stared at her and then left the table looking disappointed. Emma had caught her eye and given her a smug ‘I told you so’ look.

Holly emerged from one of the bathroom stalls and smiled as she came to wash her hands.

“Are you having a good time, sweetie?”

Megan nodded. “I am. I'm glad I came.”

“Me too! It's so cool seeing you and Michael together. The man is totally besotted with you. I've only ever seen him flirt before—all flattery and no substance, you know? Now he's like a lovesick puppy. He hasn't left your side. I thought he was even going to follow you in here.”

Megan laughed. “He knew how nervous I was. He's just trying to make sure I'm okay.”

“Aww. What a sweetheart! He's a good guy you know.”

“I do know. I feel so lucky.”

Holly frowned at her. “I'd say he's the lucky one, and he knows it. Do you have any idea how many guys were staring after you with their tongues hanging out when you came in?”

Megan felt herself blush. She had noticed, and she hadn't liked it.

“Michael didn't miss it. He went all territorial putting his arm around you and keeping it there the whole time. He's done everything short of peeing on your leg to make sure every man in the place knows that you're his.”

Megan laughed out loud at that. “He has been sticking close, but I thought it was to reassure
me
!”

“Don't you believe it, girlfriend. He's staking his claim.” She looked Megan over. “And looking like you do, it's not hard to see why. Where did you get that dress? It's perfect on you.”

Megan took a deep breath. She needed to be brave. She knew Holly owned a clothes store and always wore such lovely things herself. She needed to ask for her help. “I....I...I...” Oh, for goodness sake, was she never going to get past the stuttering? She took another deep breath and tried again. “This is my sister's. I don't really have any nice things of my own. I wear jeans a lot.”

Holly smiled kindly. “And sweatshirts, right?”

Megan nodded.

“Any chance you'd let me try out some new looks on you? I've been offered a new line of petites to carry in the store, but I wanted to find someone who would tell me how they wear first. You'd be perfect, if you wouldn't mind?”

Megan stared at her. She didn't know what to say, wasn't really even sure what she meant.

“The designer is a friend of mine and this is his first petites line. Obviously he's used models to get this far, but I'd like someone real to wear them in everyday life and tell me how they feel. You can keep them afterwards, if you like them.

“Oh, Holly, I couldn't. It's very kind of you though.”

Holly laughed. “You'd be the one doing
me
a favor. I'd really appreciate it. If you will.” She smiled. “Tell me to mind my own business if you want to, but you seem to be trying a lot of new things lately. Going out with Michael. Coming out with all of us. Why not try out a new wardrobe as well? My sister used to borrow my clothes for a while, but she was a whole lot happier when she discovered her own look.” She raised an eyebrow. “What do you say? Do you want to help me out? You don't have to wear them if you don't like them, but I have a feeling this might be a win-win for us both.”