“Jovie, I really do understand,” We were standing at the front counter of The Dog House, going over the computer program, again. I didn’t need a fourth explanation, but Jovie gave control-freak a whole new definition, “I take the call, look up the last name, book the appointment, but only in the available spots, and confirm a phone number. If they want a specific groomer, put it in the proper column, if not, just book the first available.” She opened her mouth to correct me, but I started again, “That’s for grooming. If it’s for training, I make sure they understand that the assessment fee is non-refundable, and block a half hour for assessments, full hour for sessions.” I smiled at her, waiting for the criticism.

“Fine, you get it,” Jovie waved the white flag and I did a little happy dance internally. None of the other employees were very perky, but managed to fake social graces for the sake of business. As soon as I greeted a customer when we stopped by to meet Cori’s boss, I had a job. Being the receptionist at The Dog House wasn’t my dream job, but it would work until I figured out what my dream job was. It gave me a little money, and when we went to see my parents that night, I could tell them I was working.

I had nightmares about going to see my parents again before I moved back, so with the evening just hours away, I was in panic mode. I had visions of them slamming the door in my face, my oldest sister calling me a whore, and them turning Cori against me. I treated them like shit before I chased Zeke to Colorado, and couldn’t imagine them forgetting the things I said. All I could do was hope Cori was right and they would all be happy to see me home.

With my medication and diet all under control, or at least trying to be, my health back on track and my black eye healed, hiding out for three days with my sister had been a good decision. Unfortunately, I had down time for the first time in two years and I ended up doing some introspection. Two years of self-evaluation paired with pregnancy hormones made me an emotional mess. With Zeke, I survived, always on alert and always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I thought I could fix him with love, but some people are too damaged, or too sick, or simply don’t want help. Zeke was all three, and I got the short end of that stick. My borderline obsessive intrigue with Beck Layton was no different. Yes, he saved me, helped me when I needed it, but Cori told me what kind of person I met. Beck told me too. Damaged, angry, and unapologetic. Of course, Beck was handsome and charming, but I had too many of my own issues to deal with anyone else’s. Meredith Wallace did not have the time or energy to save anyone but herself. With the decision to have and keep my baby, my work was very much cut out for me without the added drama of a man. I had to figure out how to support myself and a baby with no skills other than being perkier than Jovie and my sister. I had to stop thinking about Beck.

The phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts, “Thank you for calling The Dog House, this is Meredith, how can I help you?” I said that same line about a million times, and never once got tired of saying it. Friendly and chatty was my strong point, so I had the pleasure of talking to several people about their dogs when I booked their appointment. I had a job answering the phones and booking classes at the music store when I was in high school. It barely paid at all, but I had access to all the classes and instruments, so it was totally worth getting less than minimum wage. I learned to play the piano, guitar, and sax, all while getting paid and hanging out with local musicians. Broadway Sounds was my dream job. After moving to Colorado, I got a job at a coffee shop, but quit after a few days when Zeke found out my boss happened to be a man and went on a jealous rampage.

An hour before close, the phone rang again, and I closed my diabetes research to answer, “Meredith, it’s Briggs Layton. Can someone please wash Murphy before close? I know I’m cutting it close, but he got skunked. I don’t care if they have to dip him in acid or shave him, the smell is unbearable.”

I suppressed a giggle and waved Jovie over, “Hang on,” I covered the phone, “Briggs said Murphy got skunked.”

Jovie looked from the clock, back to me and sighed, “Tell him to get down here in less than ten or it can’t happen. My babysitter’s schedule has very little wiggle room.”

“Okay, she said get down here in less than ten minutes and we can get it done. She didn’t look real thrilled about it though.” Jovie seemed pretty laid back about most things, but work did not fall into the category of most things. She and Erica ran a tight ship, and I loved being aboard.

“I can make it in five. Tell her thanks,” The line went quiet and I hung up. I went through the appointments for the next day, playing with the computer a little and trying to learn my way around the system a little better. The Dog House also offered doggy daycare and overnight boarding, and I hadn’t quite grasped booking those yet. It seemed like most people just showed up and knew how much to pay, but if Jovie trusted me with the job, I wanted to prove myself worthy. Not having any practical skills didn’t mean I couldn’t learn.

About five minutes later a very recognizable car pulled in the lot. Briggs climbed out of the passenger side hauling a dog from the back, and Beck hopped the door of the driver’s side. He pulled the blankets off the back seat where a big black dog had been laying. He wadded the blankets and threw them in the dumpster before jogging up the steps behind his brother. I immediately dropped my eyes to the screen, forcing myself not to stare at the man walking in. I made the conscious decision to avoid the attraction to Beck, but watching him strut up the steps made me second guess. He helped me, I appreciated it, and that was it. I refused to keep obsessing when I had so many other things to focus on. The reunion with my parents was a few hours away, and it was bad enough without him.

Jovie came running when the bell rang and I had to look up, but I didn’t look at Beck, I focused on Briggs. Then the smell hit me, and my stomach churned, making me need to cover my mouth. Jovie had it taken care of, so I didn’t greet them. If I had, it would have been more of a mess than the skunked dog. No amount of medication could stop my all-day-sickness when the trigger smelled like skunk.

“Come on stinky,” Jovie headed to the back, Briggs right behind her, and when they passed me, I couldn’t stop it. I nearly fell off the stool, bolting to the back of the shop toward the toilet. I had to shove Jovie to get there, but I made it, barely. All my lunch made a very unfortunate exit. Puking couldn’t be good for my weight gain, but it was the first time in three days, so I declared it a victory. I flushed, dried my hands, and was swishing water in my mouth when a light knock came from the open door. I expected to find Jovie there checking on me, but it was Beck, looking a little awkward.

“You okay?” The man must have an iron stomach, because it wasn’t the first time he witnessed my puking without a reaction.

“I made it seventy-two hours without a vomit incident. That’s good, right?” I forced a laugh and he pulled a stick of gum from his pocket for me. I very quickly popped it in my mouth.

“I’d say so. I didn’t mean to intrude. I only wanted to check on you.” Beck gestured for me to leave the bathroom and followed me out. The flavor and scent of the gum kept my mind off the skunk permeating the building.

“No harm done. The gum really helps. Thank you,” Once we made it up front, he went back to the other side of the gate and sat on the bench, stretching out his legs. Beck looked good in jeans, much better than the running clothes I’d seen him in. Beck looking good in everything no matter how hard I tried to pretend he didn’t, “Nice of you to chauffer a dog that smelly.” I nodded to his vintage convertible.

“The drop top is better for airflow than his Prius. The smell would have lingered for days in his car. Plus, I was supposed to let the dog in, and didn’t. Murph seemed happy lounging on the porch, so I didn’t let him in as soon as I got home. He got bored and found a skunk. Playing driver to the vomit-inducing dog was the least I could do. Your eye healed.” Beck’s light brown eyes moved over my face, making me blush. He always looked at me like I was the only person in the room.

“Yeah, just in time to go see my parents for the first time since I accused them of favoring my sisters and called them controlling. If I remember correctly, I said ‘I’ve never been good enough for you because I’m not a martyr or a bitch, so stop trying to control my life and leave me the fuck alone.’” I sighed, “So, yeah, bruised eye is not highest on my list of worries right now.”

Beck only shrugged, “No one’s perfect. We all do things we regret, but you live and learn to apologize.” He spoke as though it were from experience.

“My apology might be better received if it wasn’t paired with ‘By the way, I’m knocked up and pretty sick, all because I didn’t listen to you.’ I don’t know how they can ever forgive me for this.” I dropped my head into my hands and immediately felt a finger tipping my chin up. His ridiculously handsome face stared back at me when I opened my eyes.

“Can I tell you a secret?” At my nod, Beck kept talking, “I know this may shock you, but I have done some pretty awful things. That list includes sleeping with my brother’s fiancé. I’m a royal piece of shit, but family is family, and everything works out like it needs to. You’re strong, Doll, and if you can get through all that shit, you can face your parents.” At some point during his pep talk, the finger on my chin turned into him holding my face and stroking his thumb up my cheek. I closed my eyes, reveling in the gentle touch, and nodded. When a car door slammed, his hand vanished and my eyes opened. Beck settled back on the bench, crossing his ankles in front of him like nothing happened. A slow breath left me.

Cori, Griffin, and the girls strolled in and all of them made faces at the smell. Cori retreated back to fresh air, “Ready?” Griffin looked from me to Beck, “That your dog back there? Damn that stinks.”

“Daddy! No swearing!” Celia smacked Griffin’s giant hand and we all laughed. Celia was the cutest thing.

“Briggs’ dog, but my fault, so here I am. I don’t have a dog, but maybe it would be a good investment. Responsibility and stuff.” Beck slid me a discreet glance, “Good luck tonight, Doll.”

I grabbed my bag and followed my nieces out, “Thanks, Beck. Have a good night.” I didn’t even make it to the car before Cori had my hand dragging me toward the Jeep. I knew what was coming. ‘Stay away from Beck. He’s a bad person. He has addictions.’ Blah blah blah. Trust me sis, I tried.

“Are you talking to Beck?” Cori crossed her arms and Griffin backed slowly from the situation to put the girls in the car.

“We had a conversation. He spoke, then I spoke. I guess that counts as a talk,” I smiled sweetly at my sister and walked around to climb in the back next to Axel.

“Mere, you know what I mean. He’s not the kind of guy you need. Please trust me.” She chased me around the car and stopped me from getting in, “I’m not trying to run your life. I want you to get better. To take care of yourself and the baby. I just know how he is. Okay?” Her face softened and I stepped to give her a hug.

“I should have listened about Zeke. I fucked up, bad, but I have a chance to fix it. I’m not messing up again. The conversation with Beck was about the smelly dog,” Cori kissed my head and I took the chance to rub my new little niece, “Let’s go get this over with.” Climbing in the Jeep, I met Beck’s eyes on the porch leading to The Dog House and he gave me a little smile and a chin tip. I waved and got in before Cori saw me. At almost twenty-one and expecting a child, my sister’s opinion shouldn’t have mattered, but considering I lived in her house, using her money, I tried to listen. The stupid little voice in my head told me Beck Layton wasn’t a bad person, and the crazy butterflies in my stomach didn’t give a crap what Cori or anyone else said.

The fifteen-minute drive to my parents’ house had my palms sweating and my ears ringing. I said horrible things to my parents. Terrible things no one should ever say. I grew up in a loving home with both parents and my sisters. They worked hard and provided for us, making sure to spend time with each of us. No one deserved the hurt I caused. When we pulled up in front of the rancher, I had to scramble to unbuckle and get the door open before throwing up the in grass. Second time in a couple of hours. Awesome. The jeep wasn’t even in park yet. Ari’s car was already there, so I had to brace for her too. Once I was done puking, again, Griffin hugged me and led me up to the front door where Cori and the girls were waiting. Cori knocked, and we waited. I forced myself to breathe, the knot tightening again in my stomach. Cori reached over to take my hand, squeezing my fingers.

Mom jerked the door open and I got shoved to the middle of the door frame. Mom’s smile disappeared, her eyes immediately filling with tears, “Meredith Kate.” I didn’t get a chance to answer. She crushed me to her chest, crying into my hair, “Allen! Allen, Meredith is here! Meredith’s back! Allen!” She yelled for Dad, not letting me go, and the thunder of our dad hurrying along the hall hit me at the same time he did. I reached around, trying to hug them both back, and sobbed. All the worry, all the fear about seeing them again was gone. He wrapped us both up in his arms and squeezed. I could barely hear my oldest sister talking through the hug, but I knew if Ari was talking, it couldn’t be good. I took in a stuttered breath, trying to stop my tears. Arianna pried my parents off me and I blinked up into her brown eyes.

“Don’t you ever leave again,” Arianna sobbed, hugging me, and rocking us back and forth, “Don’t you dare leave again.”

“Munchkins, go out back with Ben and Max, okay?” Cori ushered the girls outside. Ari finally let me go only to take my hand and drag me up to the kitchen.

“Mere, you look… sick,” Mom covered her mouth with one hand and touched my face with the other, “Are you sick?” Dad lit his pipe behind her and I nearly cried at the familiar scent, “You’re thin and pale. Why is your hair black? How long have you been home?” I did look sick, I’d lost a good thirty pounds.

I leaned back against the counter, “I’m diabetic, but didn’t know until a few days ago. So, yes, I’m sick.” Cori smiled for me to go on, “I’ve been home for three days. I passed out, ended up at the hospital, and got my diagnosis. I’ve seen a specialist and am on medication and a diet. So, the diabetes is going to be okay. I’m trying to make it okay.” The next part took a little more time to force out, “I’m pregnant.” I stared at Cori, using her strength to not break down again.

“Oh, baby girl,” Dad hugged me again.

“I found out and knew I couldn’t stay, so I came home. Things got pretty bad.” I opened my eyes and waited for the tongue lashing. I braced for being told they were right, I was wrong, but no one spoke.

“So, are you keeping the baby? How are you feeling about this?” Mom took a step forward, leaning into Dad’s other side.

“Overwhelmed. I’m keeping the baby, and already saw an obstetrician. The baby looks fine, even though I’m sick. I’m staying in Cori’s guest room, and I got a job. I know I screwed up, but I’m picking up the pieces. I’ll fix this. I’m glad to be home.” Then the questions started. How far along? Boy or girl? Where am I working? Have I thought about names? Again, I was forgiven without an actual apology. I wanted to call Beck and thank him for his little pep talk, but knew better than to even try that. His admission about sleeping with Briggs’ fiancé couldn’t have been easy, but knowing he could come back from that helped me walk up the steps to see my parents. Yet again, the guy was proving everyone wrong, even himself.

I got to cook with Mom, getting my psyche evaluated the entire time. I knew it would happen and it was very welcome. I needed all the help I could get, and maybe my mother could help with my ‘fix asshole guys’ complex. Deep down, I knew Beck and Zeke weren’t the same, but Cori was right. I had to focus on me and the baby, not my knight in shining armor. My sister was nice enough to not mention Beck to my mom, so that was nice. I knew she didn’t believe me when I told her Beck and I were talking about Murphy, but Cori didn’t fight with me. The evening went better than I expected. We ate dinner, talked about the new babies in the family and tried to force my new niece’s name out of Cori. I let my mother braid my hair while we watched TV and Dad smoked his pipe, reading the newspaper. Arianna was so nice. She painted mine and Cori’s toenails, talking with us like we used to. It was like I never left.

* * *

Cori dropped me off at The Dog House the next morning and Harriet greeted me on her way out, telling me a list of people to call back was on the counter. Erica hopped out of her truck with a little poodle on her heels, Jovie pulled in right behind her and I settled at the desk to start calling back the people on the list. Jovie came in, ranting about something Amelia, her sister-in-law, had done, with Erica telling her that teens only got worse. I couldn’t even think that far into the future. I’d barely accepted being pregnant.

I was finishing my third call back when the bell rang, and Beck strolled in, smiling, and dressed for a run. I hung up quickly and took the cup he shoved at me, “High protein smoothie. It’s good for you.” He sat back on the bench and took a drink of his coffee, “How did it go last night? You’re here, so no acts of violence?” Beck kicked his toned legs out in front of him, looking like he always had coffee on the bench in The Dog House.

I took a sip of the green stuff in the cup, “It went really well. They started pitching baby names and fighting over who I should live with. Overall, I’d call it a success.” I looked at him, trying to be sure it was actually him. “This is really good.” I shook the cup at him.

“I’m glad. On both accounts. I just thought you could use a celebratory smoothie, but I’ll leave you alone,” Beck pushed off the bench and started for the door, “Finish that, Doll.” He nodded at my cup and I took a quick drink.

“Did you pick today because you know Cori isn’t here?” I asked, biting my lip so I didn’t smile. A very sexy smirk crossed Beck’s mouth.

“Will you hold it against me if I say yes?” I nodded, “Then yes. I knew Cori wouldn’t be here, so I stopped by.” With that, Beck winked and strolled out the door and down the sidewalk. The flutters of something stirred in my stomach, and I took another long drink of my smoothie, prepared to finish it, exactly like he asked.

The rest of the day went just like the first. I answered the phone, made appointments, and greeted clients while Erica and Jovie worked. Half-way through the day, Arianna stopped by on her way to pick up her boys from school and dropped off a stack of baby books ranging from what to expect through the teen years to baby names. She sat on the bench, talking to me about having the boys. She gushed about how wonderful Lee was with them as newborns. Sometimes Ari meant to be a bitch, but this wasn’t one of those times. Her husband was a wonderful father, and I loved my brother-in-law. The conversation didn’t sit well with me. My baby wouldn’t have a dad. Ax and Celia didn’t for years, and were turning out to be awesome as hell, because she had Griff. He loved Ax like his own and made sure everyone knew it. I wasn’t lucky enough to get a Griffin. By the time my oldest sister left, we had made a shopping date for basic baby things and she was planning a baby shower. In a few weeks, I could find out if I was bringing home a son or daughter, then the planning could really start. Mom called me three times, and by the time Cori got in to pick me up, I needed a nap and some quiet time. Working with dogs was great, but the barking got tiring fast. That paired with the constant phone calls from clients and my mother meant I was ready to be alone in a bed.

I climbed in the jeep, and Cori glanced sideways at me, “You have dinner with Mom tonight. I tried to get you out of it, told her you needed rest, but it was impossible.” I raked my hair back and sighed. As tired as I was, going to dinner with Mom wasn’t too bad. I needed her more than ever and had a lot of ass kissing to do. If dinner meant forgiveness, I’d have a thousand dinners with her.

I watched Harriet and Briggs stroll down the block toward Broadway, hand in hand. They were cute as hell. As soon as I couldn’t see them, I tore up the flight of stairs to their room and eased the door open. Murphy hopped off the bed to greet me, but the cat didn’t move. Morticia hated me, but just flicked her tail at my intrusion. Murphy headed down the stairs, obviously not caring about my snooping. I grabbed Harriet’s phone from the desk. When they went on their dates, phones weren’t allowed, so it was too easy. I put Meredith’s number in my phone and put my sister-in-law’s phone back where it belonged, then backed out of the room. I never got into their’ stuff, but I had to have the number.

Ma met me at the bottom of the stairs and gave me a look, but didn’t say a word about me jumping when I saw her. We both knew I was guilty of something. I could have asked Meredith for her number, but it seemed weird and immature. I didn’t even plan to call her, but having the number made me feel better. Like I was closer to her somehow and could check in if I needed. I pushed my crazy aside and followed Ma to the kitchen, “How about we go out tonight?” Ma closed the fridge and looked me over, “We don’t have to, but you and I haven’t been out in a while. My treat.”

“Did you and Briggs switch on me? You haven’t done it since you were kids, but now that I’m old, you may try it again,” I laughed and Ma stared at me like she really wasn’t sure which son she was looking at.

“It’s me, Ma.” I grumbled at her.

“I’d love a date with my oldest son. Let’s go.” I whistled for Murphy to go out, left a note for Briggs and Harriet, then helped Ma to the car.

Archer’s had the best burgers and fries. They also had the best beer selection, but that wasn’t an option, not anymore. Instead, I asked for water and watched Ma look over the menu. Big sports murals were painted on the walls, all the servers had matching football lapel pins, and upbeat music played. It was the first time I’d been in and not gone straight to the bar. I’d never paid any attention to the atmosphere, but it was a nice place.

Ma read the menu, her hands trembling slightly. She wasn’t getting worse, but not better either. We, or Briggs, took her to appointments, her medications were doing the best they could, but her Parkinson’s would never get better. The menu shook harder in her hands until she laid it on the table to read it. When she caught me watching her, she smiled, and I had to swallow the lump in my throat to smile back. I didn’t have unlimited time left with her, and had been a horrible son. Ma did so much for us, took on so much shit to give us opportunities as kids. I repaid her by being a first-class asshole.

“What’s on your mind, son?” Ma took a sip of sweet tea.

“We should do this more. That’s all.” I closed my menu. She could have reminded me that I’d been invited for months, that I had cancelled on her more times than I could count, instead, she patted my hand and started talking about the burger she was getting. I listened to Ma, stared at the traffic outside the window and did that introspective bullshit. I knew better than to think too much, but I did it anyway and it wasn’t pretty.

“Hey, stranger,” A soft voice near my ear made me jump and shake off the shitstorm of self-loathing I was falling in. Meredith stared down at me with that huge smile and no overbearing sister by her side.

“Hey, Doll,” I stood up and finally hugged her to me like I’d wanted to for days. Meredith hugged me back, and I felt her relax. My shoulders dropped with hers. Like we’d both been waiting for the embrace. The woman next to her cleared her throat. If I didn’t know better I’d swear Harriet dressed Meredith’s mother. Flowing skirt, bright top, and a long braid. Once Meredith let me go she took a step back, but kept a gentle hand on my arm.

“Mom, this is Beck. He’s my knight in shining armor,” Meredith’s cheeks turned pink and I shook her mother’s hand. I’d indirectly met her before, at Axel’s party, but never officially.

“Beck Layton. Nice to meet you. This is my mother, Faye.” Ma nodded at the pair and I pulled up two chairs to add to our table and motioned for the waitress to see we added two more.

“Margo Wallace. I’ve seen you around.” Her mother gave me a look. The two ladies sat when I gestured. I watched as Meredith dropped gracefully into the chair next to me, but her mom quickly grabbed my attention, “I guess I need to thank you for stopping your run the other day. Who knows what may have happened if you hadn’t.”

Meredith shifted uncomfortably next to me, and Ma folded her hands to stop the shaking, “What happened?”

I started to tell Ma we could talk about it later, but Meredith jumped in, “I was pretty sick when I got back into town, and Beck came to my rescue. He’s a great guy, Mrs. Layton.” The pep came back to her when she spoke to my mother, and I felt my face get hot. Did I just fucking blush?

“I tend to agree, but I’m a little partial. So, where have you been? I don’t think Cori mentioned having a little sister, but you look just like her.” Poor Meredith squirmed again, but told the story about being stupid enough to follow a boy out of state and away from home, leaving out the pregnancy and the abuse. Margo chimed in a few times about missing her baby girl, and I discreetly slid my hand under the table to rest it on Meredith’s bouncing knee. The movement stopped when I touched her. My light touch relaxed her, so I left my hand on her knee, hoping Meredith calmed down even more. Food was delivered, and we ate in relative silence. Margo kept looking at me like she expected me to do something crazy, but I only smiled when she looked my way.

“So, Beck, besides saving damsels in distress, what do you do?” Margo folded her napkin on the table and waited for my answer. If she ever talked to her daughter, then I knew Cori’s hatred of me had been discussed. Normally, I didn’t give a fuck, but I suddenly wanted to impress the woman. I needed Margo to like me.

“Meredith is hardly a damsel in distress, but I’m an architect. I work for a firm with my brother and between the two of us, we can get you a building designed in its entirety.” I sipped my water and smiled at Margo. Cori got her spunk from somewhere and my guess was maternal influence.

“That’s a noble profession. Now, let me ask you another question. Why does Cori hate you so much? You look put together and have a decent career, but my daughter hasn’t been shy about her distaste for you.”

Ma opened her mouth, but I got to it first, “Cori and I met at a bad time in my life. I was working through some issues, and had some less than desirable habits. I tend to be a little cocky and a lot unapologetic. We all have our ugly sides, but I’m working on it.” Margo nodded once and gave Meredith a look that clearly said she shared Cori’s feelings. I was caring less and less about the opinions of others where Meredith was concerned. I knew I didn’t deserve her, but they all treated me like a serial killer. I kept my asshole side in check for the sake of enjoying lunch and not making an ass of myself in front of Meredith.

Once Ma and Margo started talking, Meredith rested her hand on my knee and smiled at me. I had no idea if I could actually change or not. I hadn’t had a drink or anything else in a few days, and I already felt so much better, but old habits die hard. My morning runs were better, my nights at the gym were better. I slept better, ate better. Even the dark thoughts I was hiding from weren’t as bad as I imagined. I never wanted to change until Meredith looked at me and thanked me, but it was very clear that I didn’t save Meredith, she did the saving, and it was making me fucking crazy. Every time I ran into her, I needed her that much more, like tiny hits of a drug without being able to indulge.

The meal went on rather awkwardly for us, but not for our mothers. They chatted like old friends and it didn’t take me long to realize what Margo Wallace did for a living. I’d been around my fair share of shrinks to know the questions and body language. I kept my answers short and sweet, but Ma volunteered everything. Meredith got to hear all about my jackass father and our lousy childhood, but maybe she already knew. Living with Griffin meant Meredith had access to it all. I’d known the guy for ages. He’d seen my father at his worst and me at mine.

“Does Murphy smell better?” Meredith picked at her burger, taking tiny bites, but not really eating.

“Much. You feeling better?”

She shrugged, “Maybe. Some days I’m good, others I puke all day. It’s better than it was though. My doctor recommended an insulin pump, but I’m not sure. Maybe after things settle down a little.”

“If it would help take something off your plate, it might be a good idea. You should eat that burger.” I knew nothing about insulin pumps or diabetes, but I was making a point to find out as soon as I got home and opened my laptop. I did know the girl was far too thin and needed to eat the damn burger. Meredith shrugged, and Ma pulled us from our conversation to ask Meredith about what she was studying before coming home. I zoned out and just watched her talk. I wanted to see her take a huge bite of the burger on her plate, but she just picked off tiny bites and nibbled on it. I hoped it would just take time for her appetite to come back, because the girl needed at least twenty pounds added to her tiny frame. With the baby factored in, even more. The longer I watched her talk to Ma, the more things I noticed about her. Her long slender fingers, the tiny dimple in her right cheek when she smiled.

Knock you on your ass. I tried to ignore it, but the warmth in my gut couldn’t be ignored. It had always been so simple. If I saw a hot woman, I fucked her and moved the hell on, but Meredith wasn’t hot. She was beautiful and I had to have her, but she was untouchable. Not just because Cori was protective, but because I didn’t want to taint Meredith with my stench. She’d had enough of that. I needed to get better, be better, before I could possibly think of trying to offer her anything. Even if I was better, it would never be enough.