Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
“Thanks for the rescue,” Meg says as we walk toward the ballroom.
“Anytime, shortcake.”
She smiles, and though her face is still a little puffy, her eyes are clear and she’s got a determined vigor to her steps.
It’s encouraging, but I’m torn. Meg poured her heart into creating a special night for her dad. Maybe her expectations were grand, but they were pure. Somehow, Darienne found a way to take the credit, and I don’t think it happened by accident.
That’s wrong. I want to fix it, but every idea that flashes into my mind involves causing a scene, and this is Meg’s show.
If she wants to dance with her dad and let him believe the lies Darienne is telling in order to preserve the evening, as much as I hate it, that’s what we’ll do.
Maybe there will be a way to reconcile this situation in the future.
Back in the ballroom, a few guests linger near the wall of pictures but the majority of the party has migrated outside.
Darkness has fallen, but the string lights and glow from inside the clubhouse give the patio a soft atmosphere.
Around the dance floor, guests are clustered talking and drinking while couples dance.
A Johnny Cash ballad is playing from the speakers, so I weave us through the crowd and take Meg’s hands.
I’m not a great dancer by any means, but I know enough to make her look good, even if she doesn’t know the steps. She just has to trust me.
I start with a simple rock step, and to my delight, she catches on, and just like that, we’re dancing.
I can’t hold back my grin, and her eyes light up.
Her delicate fingers relax in my hold. I bring her into a cuddle, her frame nestled against my side.
She glances up at me, a look of wonder and maybe joy in her eyes, and my heart leaps inside my chest.
I turn her back, her blonde hair fanning out, catching the light.
I keep moving, letting the music be my guide.
For someone who was getting around on crutches only a few weeks ago, Meg moves with an ease and quiet confidence.
I lead her in a series of turns, then bring her into another sideways cuddle.
She arches closer, giving me more of her weight, and when I pivot back, there’s a surge of energy between us.
Someone from the sidelines hoots but I’m focused completely on the woman who has me entranced.
Meg laughs like she’s been waiting all night to leave her cares behind.
We shuffle and spin, the way our bodies are in tune to the music like nourishment in my blood.
The song ramps up for the finale, so I tempt her with just a small dip over my knee.
Her mouth opens in surprise but I have her up and spinning before she has time to doubt that I’ll always keep her safe.
The opening lilt of Whitney Houston’s “Dance With Somebody” fills the air, and I can’t help the laugh erupting from my mouth. Of all the tunes…cheesy, maybe, but Meg gives me a playful grin and arches her eyebrow, like she’s daring me to resist.
Like hell. She wants to be my somebody?
I’m never turning that down.
By the time the song ends, I’m breathing fast but there’s enough energy between us to keep me dancing all night.
Meg circles my neck and smiles up at me.
I lean down, my eyes falling closed as my mouth is drawn to hers.
She sucks in a breath, her breasts brushing my chest, her lips embracing mine, keeping me close.
Another hoot from the crowd reminds me that we’re not alone, but nothing could keep me from kissing this woman.
I savor the heat crackling between us and the hungry, sensual hold of her kiss.
Of her warmth and her soft curves against my frame, her shaky inhale and her spicy lemony scent.
The moment feels too fragile, and even if it lasted a hundred years, I know it’s going to end too soon.
The music changes, and I lean back, feeling buzzed and not from the beer I drank at the start of the night.
Meg gives me a shy grin, then caresses down my arms to take my hands. All around us, guests have joined us on the dance floor, giving us a welcome sense of privacy.
“I think I have enough juice left for one dance with my dad, and then…” she bites her lip. “we can go?”
I glance down. She’s resting her weight on her right leg.
I bite back a curse. “Are you hurting?”
“A little.” She squeezes my hands. “But as long as I get off my feet soon, I’ll be okay.”
“Did I wear you out?”
She rocks to her tiptoes to kiss me. “Not even close, cowboy,” she whispers.
I close my eyes and try to keep her close, but she breaks away and flashes me that gorgeous smile. “Promise me this isn’t the only time we dance together?”
Flutters tickle up my chest and crowd into my throat. “You’ve got yourself a promise.”
The song comes to an end, and Meg waves her dad down.
I don’t want to relinquish her, but I force myself to do it anyway.
I weave to the bar for a glass of water, then guzzle it down and grab one for Meg.
On my way back to the dance floor so I can keep an eye on her, I bump into Zach and Evergreen paramedic Ryan Hutchins, so I stop to chat.
Hutch’s wife Ava is eight months pregnant, so we spend most of the time trying to reassure him.
I remember the excitement and terror that consumed me in the days before Greta came into my life.
Would I screw it up? Would I have the patience required to balance being a father and a partner?
Would I be able to love my kid the way I loved Kelly?
Would I know how to take care of them? Back then, I barely knew how to take care of myself.
Kelly was still living with her parents and I was just about to graduate from the fire academy.
We weren’t even married yet—she wanted to wait until we were settled.
It was hard at first, but with Greta bringing so much joy to our lives, we found our rhythm.
Watching Hutch’s excitement brings it all back—the sleepless nights, my exhaustion, but also, the joy.
Though Kelly destroyed me, I’d suffer through it a second time if it meant I could hold my baby girl in my arms like that again.
Soothe her with my off-key singing. Delight in her adorable baby giggle.
I always thought we’d have more, give Greta at least a little brother or sister, but it didn’t work out that way.
Through the crowd, I get glimpses of Meg and her dad on the dance floor, swaying to the music and talking, their cheeks rosy like they’re happy. It’s a hopeful sign, but my chest aches because of what Meg shared.
I can’t lose my dad too.
Does Lonnie James know what an amazing gift his daughter is?
If he knew she was feeling squeezed out, would he do something about it?
I know I would, if I was in his shoes.
Would Greta ever feel left behind, if I was with someone new ?
The idea guts me.
It makes me want to call her. Even if it’s just to hear her groan “Daaad.” Even if it’s just to tell her I love her.
We’re joined by William and some young guys I peg as former teammates, so I say goodbye and weave back to the dance floor.
Just in time to see Russel cornering Meg, his eyes angry. What the fuck?
Meg says something to him while trying to shift backwards.
I ditch the glass of water on a side table and hurry over.
“It’s not true. They have it all wrong,” Russet says, lunging for Meg’s arm.
Meg’s expression sours. “I don’t care, Russ.”
“That’s enough,” I say, intercepting his wrist with a firm grip. I step close but keep my voice low.
“You again, jeez,” he says to me. He’s drunk. I can smell it and his tongue is too slow for his mouth.
“Walk away and I’ll let you live.”
He scoffs like I’m kidding. “Hey, ow.” He wrenches his hands away and glares at me. “It’s only a matter of time before she stops putting out for you too.”
Fuck I want to break every one of his fingers. Slowly.
“And when she does, guess who’s gonna be waiting?” He stabs the center of his chest. “Me.”
Meg slides her hand into mine and gives me a gentle tug. “Let’s just go.”
Turning my back on Russet, I face Meg and caress both sides of her face. “You okay?”
Her troubled eyes still and she places her hands on my waist, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I am now.”
“Do you need to say goodbye to your dad?” I scan the dance floor. Lonnie and Darienne are talking with two other couples, oblivious to what just happened.
“I already did,” Meg says .
“All right.” I kiss her on the forehead, drinking in the way she leans into me with a soft sigh, then I take her hand and lead her toward the door.
“I overheard a little of that,” I say once we’re in the hallway. “You okay?”
Meg swings our hands. “I’m actually…a little worried about him. He’s never acted like this.”
“Desperate?”
“Is that what it is?” She shakes her head.
“After this party, you won’t see him unless you’re working, right?”
“Right.”
I lift the back of her hand to my lips. “Good.” Because I don’t like this one bit.
Cricket song and the grit crunching beneath our shoes fills the silence as we walk to my truck. Meg’s limping by the time we get there. I want to kiss her again, but not while she’s hurting. When I help her into the seat, that same spark fires between us when our hands touch.
I climb behind the wheel and drive to the exit. The cool night air fills the cab but it doesn’t squelch the intense heat glowing inside me. With the streets deserted at this late hour, I’m pulling into Meg’s driveway before I’ve figured out what to do about it.
When I come to her side, she turns toward me but instead of letting me help her down, she folds her fingers over mine. “Why don’t you hug people?”
I risk a glance at her face, but instead of the harsh glare I’m expecting, her expression is open, and kind. “I hug Greta.”
Her lips twitch with the hint of a smile. “You seemed okay being close to me tonight on the dance floor.”