The Exposure by Tara Sue Me

her thank you for me.”
    The older man grinned. “I certainly will. Now you two go and have fun.”
    â€œHe seems really nice,” Meagan said once they were outside again and headed toward the park.
    â€œI swear he’s half saint. He and Teresa have always been there for me. They’re great when you just need someone to listen.”
    He didn’t mean to say that; it just spilled out. Hopefully, she wouldn’t push and want to know more about what the sweet couple had listened to him talk about. Namely because it was her. During those awful days that followed their breakup, they’d listened and didn’t pass judgment.
    Perhaps Meagan could tell, because she didn’t pursue it any further. “Where should we have the picnic?”
    â€œI think just inside the park,” he said, thankful that she’d picked up on his unspoken desire. “Much more likely for me to behave if there are people close by and a chance we’ll be seen.”
    She cut her eyes at him, probably in an effort to see if he was teasing or telling the truth. Because he didn’t want her to know just how close to the truth he’d been, he made sure his expression gave away nothing.
    They had lucked out. The weather was perfect for a picnic, and though there were several couples and families who had the same idea they did, Luke was able to find a somewhat secluded spot. He handed the box and bags to Meagan and spread out the tablecloth on the ground.
    She placed the items on the red-and-white-checkered fabric and then lowered herself to sit as gracefully as she could. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”
    They were getting quite a few double takes from their fellow Central Park visitors. Let them look. Luke imagined every guy who walked by was wishing he was the one sitting across from Meagan. Angeleno had packed some paper plates, so Luke took one and put two slices of pizza on it before handing it to Meagan.
    â€œThanks.” She bit into her first piece and her eyes nearly rolled to the back of her head. “Mmm, damn. This is seriously good.”
    Luke refrained from saying,
I told you so.
“Bet it beats what Guy had on the menu.”
    â€œNo doubt, but Robin will be upset we left early. I think
you
were on her menu for the evening.”
    â€œShe should go with pizza. Much more likely to happen.”
    Meagan snickered.
    â€œIs she like that with everyone?” he asked.
    â€œOnly the men who are really hot.” She stopped and tilted her head. “No, scratch that. She’s like that with anyone who has a penis.”
    â€œI fear for all the males in the world.”
    They ate in silence for a few minutes, watching the people passing by. A little girl walking with her mom and dad saw them and pulled her parents to a halt.
    â€œMommy, look. Daddy, look.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “It’s a princess.”
    Luke glanced at Meagan to see if she’d heard. She had. She waved at the child, then blew her a kiss and waved.
    The little girl squealed with delight and waved back. “You’re so pretty.”
    Meagan smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, looking exactly like the princess she’d been mistaken for. The mom bent down and whispered in her daughter’s ear and the child nodded enthusiastically.
    â€œâ€™Bye, ’bye, princess.” She waved as her parents led her down the sidewalk.
    â€œSo sweet,” Luke said when the trio was out of sight.
    â€œShe was,” Meagan said wistfully. “I love how children see the world for all its good and believe everything is full of magic.”
    â€œDamn shame anyone has to grow up.”
    â€œI never pictured you as the Peter Pan type.”
    â€œI don’t want to stay a child, but when you see a little one like that? I hate to see them lose that sense of wonder.”
    â€œThat’s rather telling.” She reached for another piece.