Flowers on Main Read Online Free PDF

felt a little twinge of affection—okay, more than a twinge and more than affection—a few weeks ago, she’d blamed it on being back in Chesapeake Shores surrounded by family, if only for a few days. Of course she’d felt a little sentimental. Today, right here in New York where she’d made a new life for herself, the rush of emotion caught her completely off guard. It was also a whole lot more worrisome. She’d never tried to deny that she still loved Mick. But she also knew it was folly to consider going back to him. No matter what Abby believed, Megan knew he hadn’t changed, not enough anyway.
    As she debated with herself whether to go or stay, he glanced up and caught sight of her. A smile broke across his face and in that instant, she was lost. No one had ever looked at her the way Mick did, as if the sun rose and set with her.
    She gave him a little wave, then went inside. Drawing in a deep, calming breath, she prepared herself to face him without losing control of her emotions or the situation. She was a smart, accomplished woman. It ought to be easy enough.
    Ever the gentleman, Mick stood as she approached. His kiss grazed her cheek, but then he pulled back, looking as embarrassed as a schoolboy caught stealing a kiss in the cloakroom.
    “Sorry,” he murmured as he slid into the booth opposite her.
    She regarded him with amusement. “It’s okay, Mick. There’s nothing inappropriate about giving your ex-wife an innocent peck on the cheek. Now tell me, of all the delis in New York, what brings you to the one in my neighborhood?”
    He gestured toward the cell phone in the middle of the table. “I was going to call you. I thought maybe we could grab dinner, if you don’t have plans.”
    So he had come to see her, she thought, not sure whether she was pleased by that or more terrified than ever.
    When she still hadn’t responded after a couple of minutes of silence, he regarded her with an impatient expression. “Do you have plans?”
    She shook her head, determined not to make it easy for him or maybe struggling to decide if spending more time with him was wise.
    He obviously had some idea of what she was up to because he frowned. “Then will you have dinner with me?” he inquired with exaggerated patience.
    Since she’d planned to eat right here anyway, she finally nodded. “Sure, we can grab a bite here.”
    He glanced around the deli with its rush of customers and clattering silverware, with its legion of abrasive waitresses and waiters. “Here? I was thinking someplace, you know, a little classier than this.”
    “I eat here a lot,” she said. “The food’s good. Besides, we’re already here.”
    The last place she wanted to be with her ex-husband was some cozy, romantic restaurant with expensive wine, an even pricier menu and candlelight. That was the kind of place a man took a woman he was courting. Casual was good, safer. She could pretend this was nothing more than a chance meeting of two longtime acquaintances.
    Acquaintances who happened to share five children, she amended wryly.
    Mick shrugged eventually. “Whatever you want.” He beckoned for a waiter, an older man who beamed at Megan.
    “Your Monday usual, Ms. O’Brien?” he asked with the familiarity she’d come to expect from the staff. “Iced tea, the corned-beef brisket and parsley potatoes?”
    “Sounds perfect, Joe. How’s your wife?”
    “Back to her old self,” he said. “Thanks for asking.”
    “And Mary? Did she get her grade on her exam?”
    The man’s smile spread. “An A plus,” he told her proudly.
    Megan turned to Mick, who was listening to the exchange with obvious surprise. “Joe’s granddaughter is studying to be a doctor at Columbia.”
    “Congratulations!” Mick said. “That’s quite an accomplishment.”
    “She’s the smartest one in the family,” Joe said. “Now, tell me what I can get for you.”
    Mick didn’t bother with the menu. “I’ll have whatever she’s having and more