I was thankful for that, because Meg didn’t know that I had Carter do a deep dive on her life, not yet. It would be pretty shitty if that news came from him. Holt was quick to tell me when we were out of her ear shot, that I missed the window for telling her this morning.
He was right, but I was a fucking coward this morning. I didn’t want to wreck this tentative truce that we had struck. Not that she knew that, but I was slowly breaking down her walls. If she found out this morning that I had omitted this detail about the process from her, I’m not sure how she would have taken it.
I’m sure it would have set us back. I’m not too proud to admit that I don’t mind playing a little dirty to get what I want. We packed up all of the stuff and loaded everything back into Carter’s vehicle. Then we sat in her kitchen for a little bit to let the dust settle. If her stalker was watching, we didn’t want to tip him off that Meg was changing locations.
When we thought the coast was clear, Meg and I loaded up into Holt’s SUV. Carter headed out. He had a list of names that Meg gave him from her business and had digging to do on the neighbors.
Meg packed light- one small rolling suitcase, a backpack, and a small tote bag. It all fit neatly on one side of Holts trunk. I tossed my small duffle next to her things and hopped in the backseat next to her. She looked surprised that I opted not to sit up front next to Holt.
Little did she know, this is exactly what I wanted. I craved being in close proximity to her. It was like she calmed me down in a way I didn’t know was possible for myself. She infuriated me too— but not in the ways she may believe.
“Where to, sir,” Holt jokingly asked. Pretending to be a limousine driver. Meg giggled a little under her breath.
“My place,” I said shortly. Although, I appreciated Holt’s humor tonight. I would never tell him that. Holt quietly nodded.
I reached across the seat and grabbed her hand. Startled she looked up at me, I could tell she was thinking about pulling away. I tightened my grip a bit and started making slow circles with my thumb. Her shoulders started to relax. She noticed my smirk and scowled at me. Chuckling, I kept her hand in mine.
“Can you stop at the China Express,” I asked Holt. He nodded. Meg looked at me quizzically. I knew she hadn’t eaten since we had that donut. I was starving and she needed something too.
“Tell me what you want,” I demand. I didn’t want to give her any reason to dodge or evade anything. Even something as simple as a food order. I didn’t have much food in the loft. As a bachelor, I didn’t make it a habit to stock up on groceries. She was quiet for a minute, almost as if it was a huge decision. Finally she spoke up.
“Vegetable lo mein,” she says. Holt chuckles out loud. I look at her. I cannot believe this.
“That is NOT how you order Chinese food,” I state, offended. Holt is laughing out loud now as he drives. Meg looks a little confused.
“You can’t just order one thing! That goes against the rules of ordering Chinese food,” Holt explains through his laughter.
“Forget it, I’ll take care of it,” I say. I pull out my phone and place an order. I include her vegetable lo mein, but also make sure to add a good 10 things on top of it. Holt throws a couple of options in as well. Her eyes get bigger and bigger each time I order another entree.
I’m tempted to order the whole menu to see what she does, but I won’t. 15 minutes later Holt pulls up to the restaurant. I run inside. When I come out she is opening the door from the inside. It kind of looks like I ordered the whole menu, but that is the point.
I place the box on the seat between us and hand Holt his bag. He will not be joining us for dinner tonight. He takes the bag and knowingly chuckles again. Another thing that Meg isn’t aware of is that I only have one bed in the loft. It’s a huge space that has been refinished and updated, but it isn’t meant for separate sleeping quarters. I’m going to enjoy watching her work through that realization tonight.
A few minutes later we pull up to the shop. Holt helps us unload and bring the bags up in one trip. Setting everything down, upstairs just inside the door, he gives a two fingered salute. “I’ll call you in the morning,” he says and then he is gone.
I shut the door and lock it. Turning around I see Meg standing in the kitchen surveying the open concept layout. Thousands of square feet lay before her and they all make up my living room, dining room, office, and bedroom. The bedroom area does have privacy screens, but I can tell she is already searching for a suitable option for separation.
The bathroom is the only thing that has real walls around it with an actual door. In hindsight, this arrangement might be a little too much for her. However, she doesn’t have anywhere to run or hide either.
I decide to not address the elephant in the room yet. Maybe we can ease into it while we eat. I start unloading the take out containers on the counter.
“Have a seat,” I say motioning to the bar stools on the other side of the counter. Robotically she follows my directions. I know in a few minutes, her fire is going to start to emerge and I can’t wait for the show.
She silently works her way to the other side of the counter. I see her mind working through this. I hand her a paper plate and lay a bunch of spoons out on the counter.
“Which one,” I ask, as I hold out a beer and a water. She chooses the water. Twisting off the cap, she takes a swig.
“This is a beautiful space,” she gestures with a free arm behind her. “I have always loved the character of old spaces, and appreciate when someone retains their charm and updates it,” she continues.
“Thanks, it took me a long time. Between renovating this and the business down stairs, it has been a busy few years,” she hums at my answer and reaches for the lo mein. I watch her put some on her plate. When she sets it down. I sit down on the stool next to her and I hand her the sesame chicken. I also put an egg roll on her plate, and spoon some fried rice on there.
“I can feed myself you know— I have been doing it for a while,” she says sarcastically. Her cheeks have a red tint to them.
I don’t respond to that. Her phone buzzes. She looks down and sighs at it. She doesn’t answer it.
“Are you getting more unknown text messages,” I ask her. I’m trying to remain neutral. I don’t want her to start stressing out like she did this morning. She sighs again.
“No, it is Piper. I need to text her back. She is going to send out a search party. I just don’t know what to say. I mean, I don’t want her to worry— up until this morning I thought this still mayhave been a misunderstanding. A case of mistaken identity,” she explains and starts eating her food.
