That had been the extent of their last moment. Almost like everything they’d gone through over the past few days had never happened.
Like he hadn’t told he
r she was witty and strong and beautiful. A moment she recognized now as when she finally realized the extent of her feelings for the man.
She’d fallen in love with him.
And they’d made love. Connected as she had never connected with anyone. And for a moment she’d been happy. Hopeful.
Until she screwed it all up. Drove him away.
Reaching over to her nightstand, she grabbed the pills and tossed one back.
To hell with it. She could use one night of undisturbed sleep, free from the pain and memories and regrets.
…
It was only ten the next morning, and she was just making a second pot of coffee for herself and Darcy when someone rang the doorbell. Darcy was upstairs in the shower, and as Meredith walked to the door, she heard her daughter’s singing waft down the stairs. Something she’d ordinarily have smiled at, but right now, her heart was racing.
Hoping.
That maybe Travis had come back.
She swept the door open even as she processed that the silhouette of the person on the other side couldn’t be Travis, it was too small.
Allie stood, bright eyed and smiling, a bag of bagels in her hands.
Hold it together, Mer. You’ve been so strong. Don’t cry now.
But she couldn’t help it, and for the third time that week, the hot tickle of the first tear slipped down her cheek. But she wouldn’t ugly cry. No. Absolutely not.
Famous last words.
…
“So how long are you sticking around?” Claire asked, sipping a cup of tea, her legs tucked under her as she studied her brother from her seat on the couch.
He took a long draw from his beer, the first one he’d permitted himself since officially going off the clock. “Just until tomorrow. Thought I’d make sure you’re going to be okay, and then I was thinking of heading for a long and much-needed vacation. Have you heard from Rick?”
He and Claire had called a tentative truce when he showed up last night, and he’d crashed in her spare room, sleeping close to twelve hours, only waking up an hour before. They’d been keeping things light, just discussing what had taken place at the warehouse and in Vegas. Nothing personal on either side.
But he needed to know she’d be okay and planned on spending the day hanging out with his big sis before he left.
“After he showed up Saturday night and I laid into him and told him we were over and he left with his tail between his legs? No. Haven’t heard a peep.”
Thing was, that didn’t sound much like the guy that Travis knew Rick to be. He had a sinking feeling in his gut that with his cover blown, he was momentarily thrown off, but the guy would be back. “You’re doing okay, though?”
“I haven’t entirely fallen apart. Might have spent the past two days crying, but I’m all cried out now. Just…tired. Allie is coming by later and we’re going to a movie, so that should help things. How are you doing?”
He had been about to take another pull from his beer when she’d asked, and he froze. What did she think she knew? “Doing fine.” He took a drink and waited.
There goes the sigh. “Travis, don’t tell me that whatever was going on between you and Meredith is over just like that.” She paused, staring down into her tea. “Allie told me about finding Meredith that night. In the restroom. Crying. And it seems that it was all on account…of you.”
She’d been crying? He’d known she was upset, but to have actually cried?
Damn it. He wasn’t going to feel bad about this. She’d made her choices. He glanced over at Claire, who was studying him. He sure as hell wasn’t talking about this with her, either. He remained silent.
But it didn’t appear that his sister cared whether he participated in the conversation or not, as she continued, shaking her head in bafflement. “Meredith crying over you. Sounded crazy to me, knowing what I do about that woman. But Allie is convinced that she’s trying. Meredith even apologized for all the bad blood between them.”