Rescue Me(49)

She gestured to the door she'd been about to open. "I live here."

"You what?" He choked over the words.

"I live here now." God, this is not how she wanted to see him the first time. She knew she must look terrible. She was still sleep deprived and devastated over him, and she'd gone straight from her flight to Brandon's office.

He took another step closer, putting them within reach of one another, but he shoved his hands in his pockets and kept himself closed off. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

She took a steadying breath, trying to refrain from throwing herself into his arms. Which is all she could think about doing. How was she supposed to explain herself when he was standing there looking good enough to eat in one bite? She'd have to try because it didn't look like he was going anywhere anytime soon.

"I quit my job in New York. Brandon just took me on as his financial adviser and I'm going to be heading up the dance program." Just one touch. If he would just reach out for her.

But he didn't.

Instead, he looked shell-shocked. After a long moment of dead silence, she started to wonder if he'd heard her clearly. "You mean you're going to be here. Permanently. Living. Here?"

She nodded, biting her lip to keep all her pent up longing from spewing out of her mouth in an ugly, emotional mess.

He smiled, but there was hesitation in his eyes that held her back from saying anything. "I'm happy for you, Meredith. Really." He said it as if he were convincing himself more than her.

She nodded again and turned back to her door. For the first time, she wondered if she'd made a mistake in coming back. She'd been afraid to see him again and had known he'd be there, but seeing him face to face and not being able to touch him was almost too painful to bear.

"I'm proud of you," he said, surprising her by stepping nearer to her. "You've found a way to fulfill your dream. Not a lot of people have the guts to do that."

"Thanks," she said, smiling softly. They were kind words, but it still wasn't what she wanted to hear come from his lips. She'd learn to get used to it. Maybe with time it would get easier. As long as she didn't have to see him with another woman until it was.

He looked like he wanted to say more, but instead pushed his hands deeper into his pockets and turned to leave. "I guess I'll be seeing you around."

"Yeah, see you," she echoed, watching him make a hasty retreat.

***





She was here. She was really here, and it wasn't his imagination. He couldn't wrap his head around it. How had he gotten lucky enough to have her right here, literally next door?

Oh, he'd wanted to wrap her in his arms and kiss every worried line from her face, but he knew it wasn't the right time. He only hoped there would be a right time.

He had just headed out to grab some lunch but instead made his way straight to Brandon's office.

He walked in without knocking and lifted his eyebrows, spreading his arms wide.

"I take it you've seen her."

"Just now. When did she get here?"

"Just now, actually. She came to see me less than an hour ago."

"I ran into her outside her new room. What were you thinking putting us right next to each other? After what went down before." He rubbed his hand across his jaw, remembering all too clearly what had happened. "I have to say, I'm not looking to get another fist to the face."

"Then keep your hands off my sister," Brandon growled. Then his face broke into a wide grin. "Just kidding. Do what you want, but I don't want to see it."

"You can't be serious."

"I'll tell you what's serious. That pitiful lost puppy dog look that's been all over your face for the past month. I can't deal with it. You need to make it go away."

Cole laughed in disbelief. "Let me get this straight. You're telling me that you don't have a problem with me and your sister being together." He really couldn't believe his ears now.

"Let me be clear. If you hurt her, I'll do more than mess up your pretty face. I'll tear you to pieces." And Cole had no doubt that he would. "But if you feel for her what I've seen written all over you since she left, then I don't think that's going to be a problem."

Cole left the office, unsure if he was actually awake. Not only had Meredith come back, but Brandon was giving him permission to pursue her? If he was dreaming, he didn't want to wake up.

***





Cole spent the rest of the day on his boat arguing with himself. He had to admit it, he was terrified. He'd never felt for another woman what he felt for Meredith. And if he'd had to give it a word, he was pretty sure it was that four letter word he'd avoided like the curse of death.

Love.

Impossible as it seemed, he was in love with Meredith. They'd only known each other a short time, but in that time she'd affected him enough to make him question the very beliefs that had defined him for so long. Love didn't have to be full of pain and hurt. If he could allow himself to trust again, he just might have a chance at something magic.

The little devil on his shoulder popped up to remind him of all the pain he'd endured in the past. Meredith had left him once already without giving him a chance to explain. Did he really want to open himself up to that happening a second time?