The Functional Arrangement

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

~Morgan~

Morgan couldn't help but ponder what Marcus had told her over lunch that day, about his ex-girlfriend Ami and his reluctance to get back into the dating game. It was understandable, but he was still rather vague about the details of their break-up, and Morgan wondered if Marcus was a victim of a cheating partner just like she had been. Morgan couldn't help but feel a little dejected: she knew the two of them weren't technically dating, but she had thought the two of them had become good enough friends where they could be open and honest with each other at least. She supposed if he didn't want to be honest with her about Ami, though, pushing him wasn't going to solve anything.

It was the weekend now, and Morgan didn't have any plans to spend time with Marcus. Which of course meant she was going to spend it with Stephanie.

"...And then God said: 'Let there be brunch!'"

Morgan laughed as Stephanie held up her mimosa in a toast, and Morgan picked up hers so they could clink their glasses together and take a sip.

It was an unseasonably warm and sunny Saturday morning today, and Stephanie and Morgan decided to have a sort of girl's day brunch together outside at a new café that had just opened up. They had the whole morning to themselves, but at around noon Stephanie's boyfriend Leon was going to pick them up in his truck and take them shopping: it was Stephanie's mother's birthday in a few days, and Stephanie wanted to buy her a new bookshelf.

"I guess we should be toasting your mom," Morgan pointed out. "How old is she going to be?"

"Fifty-nine, although she'd never admit it to anyone," Stephanie giggled, smiling brightly as she took another sip of her mimosa. "I'm excited - she's wanted a new bookshelf for years now, but she'd never go out and buy it herself. I hope she'll like it."

"I'm sure she will. I know I would love it if someone bought me a new piece of furniture," Morgan said humorously.

"Well, now I know what to get you when your birthday comes around," Stephanie smiled.

"You better not. That means I would have to get you a couch or something for your birthday," Morgan laughed, picking a few poppy seeds off her everything bagel. "We should both stick to the cheaper gifts and leave our expectations at the door."

"I'm actually fine with that," Stephanie giggled, but after a moment she looked thoughtful. "I wonder what Marcus would get you for your birthday?"

Morgan's smile faded as she shook her head. "Steph..."

"What? I'm just curious," Stephanie said innocently, though she smirked knowingly at her friend. "He already got you flowers and a surprise lunch date for no reason. The dude is good at surprising you with nice things."

"My birthday's not for months, and I'm not so presumptuous to think Marcus and I are going to be together forever," Morgan said, and she felt her face blush slightly. "We have a good thing going and I don't want to jinx it."

"I understand," Stephanie nodded, and after a moment she smiled. "As your best friend, though, I can't help but hope things will work out between the two of you. I think you're great for each other."

Morgan, not for the first time, felt a twinge of discomfort in the pit of her stomach at the prospect of lying to her friend. "Thanks."

"I still can't believe you two got together, especially after that day in the deli, when you both declared you weren't looking for a relationship," Stephanie smiled brightly. "It's like a romance novel!"

Morgan grimaced. "I guess so."

"We should go on a double date," Steph declared. This was about the fifth time she stated this since finding out about Morgan and Marcus's relationship, and once again, Morgan felt her stomach sink upon her mentioning it. "You and Marcus, and me and Leon. What do you say?"