Laugh Like You've Never Cried (Summer Lake 5) by SJ McCoy Read Free Book Online

“No.” Well, this was stilted conversation. Even she felt it. Maybe they should just leave now, before the pizza came. Or maybe he could take it home with him. She slowly raised her eyes, hoping to sneak a peek at him and check how bored he looked. He met her gaze, his smile soft and encouraging.
    “I'm okay to wait till you're comfortable enough to tell me about yourself. No pressure. So what do you want to talk about, Meggie?”
    Why did he keep calling her that? She'd spent her whole life correcting anyone who corrupted her name. It was the one thing about herself that she stood up for. Yet now Michael kept calling her Meggie—and she liked it! “Let's talk about you. You're much more interesting than I am.”
    He frowned at her. “Not as interesting as you are to me. I'm intrigued. I want to get to know you.” His eyes were roaming over her as he smiled. “We can do it as slowly as you want.”
    Oh! The thought of getting to know Michael in the way that look implied, the thought of ‘doing it' slowly with him, made her brain freeze—and her body heat up. Surely that couldn't be what he meant? 
    “I'm just teasing you darl'. You're going to have to get used to it.”
    She was already getting used to his encouraging smile.
    She knew her cheeks were bright red again, but it had to be said. “I...I...I...” Oh for goodness sake! She took a deep breath. “I'm not very good at teasing, or joking. I'm no fun at all really. Perhaps we'd better just go home now, before I waste any more of your time.”
    All the laughter left his face as he reached across the table and took her hand between both of his. “I'm sorry, darl'. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I don't want to go anywhere. I want to sit right here with you, have dinner together, get to know you. We can leave, if you want to.” He squeezed her hand. “But even if we do, I'll be back around tomorrow, asking you to hang out with me again. So can we just stay? I'll try to be good.”
    He didn't want to leave? And he wanted to hang out again? She watched him reach for her other hand and engulf both of hers in his own. She looked him in the eye. “I...I...I don't know what to say.”
    “Then say you'll stay, Meggie. Stay, relax, and have fun with me.”
    She would love to, but he seemed to be confusing her with someone she wasn't. She had to make him understand that. “My name is Megan, not Meg, not Meggie. No matter what cutesy little name you come up with for me, I'm still just straight-laced, uptight, no fun, Megan. Get it?”
    “Get it? I've been wanting to get me some Megan since I first laid eyes on you. I want to unlace you, loosen you up, and show you just how much fun you can be.”
    What could she say to that? Some part of her mind was screaming, yes, please! But no way was she about to let that slip out.  He was still holding her hands, still smiling his disarming smile, and it told her he did understand.
    The server came out with their pizza. “One large sausage,” he said as he placed it on the table.
    Megan couldn't help it, maybe it was just a way to release the tension. She started to laugh.
    The guy smiled at them. “I'll leave you to it, unless you need anything else?”
    Michael shook his head. “We're great thanks. We've got everything we need right here.” Once he had gone back inside, Michael squeezed her hands before he let them go. “I'm glad you didn't want a large Hawaiian. I'd be jealous.”
    That made her laugh again. “No, I'd rather have some of your large sausage.” Oh no! She'd done it again, but she couldn't help it. She had the giggles now, and Michael was laughing with her.
    “See, now we're getting somewhere. You can have my sausage any time you like, darl'. You just say the word.” He took her plate and served her a slice. “Here you go. The first piece of sausage I've ever given you.” He grinned and waggled his eyebrows at her. “But it won't be the last, and it certainly won't be the