Guilt was a heavier burden on him than the phantom weight she talked about.
Another thing that he couldn’t get out of his mind that crept in unexpectedly.
He loaded the glasses in the dishwasher. Once it was full, he turned it on and walked around the kitchen to make sure everything was off and cleaned up.
It looked better than it had the other times they’d finished with an event.
Meredith had been back here and she did a damn good job.
Better than his mother did, but he wasn’t foolish enough to voice that to anyone.
He hit the light switch, returned to the reception area, saw Meredith standing on a table in her little heels, her legs wobbly, and reaching for the banner left tacked up.
“What the fuck,” he mumbled and took off toward her just as she’d lost her balance and in her attempt to right herself, actually took a tumble backwards.
He caught her in his arms as if he were cradling a baby.
“What are you doing?” he shouted.
Her brown eyes were wide, her face was pale, and her mouth was open.
“I was trying to take the sign down. They forgot it and just texted me.”
“You could have asked,” he said. “Or gotten on a ladder rather than a table that isn’t meant for climbing on.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m not used to asking for help. And I thought I could do it.”
“Well, you couldn’t,” he snapped.
He should put her down but found he liked her in his arms too much.
Not a good thing.
Her face was flush now, as if she realized he was still holding her and didn’t need to be.
“Why are you fighting this so hard?” she whispered.
He didn’t need her to explain more.
It was all over her face.
Maybe she was seeing it on his too.
But he was too old for her.
Too callous and inflexible.
Someone like her needed a man that she could talk to at the end of the day. To share dreams and hopes.
Talk about colors, flowers, and paper hearts.
Yeah, not going to be him.
“Why are you pushing so hard?” he asked.
Her eyes were roaming over his face, her hand on his arm, caressing it as if she was petting him.
Trying to calm his racing heart that he was positive she had no clue was happening.
