MEGAN
“You seem very happy, ma chérie,’’ my mother remarks with a smile as she nibbles on her scones.
Coming for tea wasn’t a good idea. I had forgotten how she was always in tune with how I felt. It was eery and at times quite maddening but endearing all the same.
I took a bigger sip of my tea and racked my mind for something to tell her that had absolutely nothing to do with last night and Chance. That was hard when there was nothing else I could think of. I mean, I had sex with Chance. My Chance. The Chance I had spent years fantasizing on from afar.
“Megan?’’
I came back to the present and shrugged. “Oh you know, just happy to see you.’’
“It would be nice if it were true.’' She got her teacup and daintily took a sip. Her movements were elegant, and her natural grace was something I still envied at times, but ever since I left for France, I was more satisfied with how I was than ever before.
“Maman, I don’t have to always tell you everything. We went over this already.’’
“I’m not asking you to.’’
“By saying this you are, in a roundabout way,’’ I pointed out, tensing. I couldn’t have anyone know about Chance and me right now. Not yet. It was too soon and… I couldn’t risk it. My heart was already way too involved as it was.
“Megan,’’ she went on and her tone had me bracing myself, cringing, “I know you were out for dinner with Chance last night. Gretta Perkins, you know my friend from my book club, she saw you last night but decided not to interrupt.’’
“This is New York! How come I can’t go out without someone who knows me see me?’’ I blurted and balled the Vichy fabric napkin next to my cup of tea.
“You’re a Grimes. I don’t want to sound conceited, but we know a lot of people and your brother’s success has proven to have a large impact on all our lives.’’ She leaned closer. “What I want to know is if you’re happy. The last time you saw Chance, you left for months.’’
Behind her smile, I noticed worry in her eyes. It never ceased to calm me right away. Maybe it was Max’s specter still doing a number.
“I’m fine, Mom. I… Actually, I'm really happy.’’ I put a hand over hers and squeeze. “But I don’t really know what this is and you can’t breathe a word to Mathis. He’d—‘’
“Oh, you don’t have to tell me. I know how your brother is and I don’t plan on telling him.’’ She shook her head. “He may be more open and less distant, but this is about his best friend and business partner.’’
“Maybe there won’t be anything to tell. I mean, Chance and I aren’t together.’’
“One thing, ma chérie. Don’t lie to yourself. With the kind of feelings you had a few short months ago, they can’t be gone. And I see them in your eyes, along with hope.’’
“But it’s Chance. You know how he is with women.’’
“Look at Mathis and Lila. Their marriage didn’t start on the best of terms, but you’d never guess at seeing them today. Have a little faith and don’t try to keep your heart behind locked bars. You deserve better than this, ma douce.’'
“Je vais essayer, Maman.’’ I’ll try, Mom.
***
CHANCE
Megan was under my skin.
There couldn’t be another reason for my obsession. It was five pm and I had been texting her since morning, craving that small contact with her. I couldn’t stop myself, not even when I met with an old college friend for lunch before he flew back to Georgia.
I just left my parents'. Mom knows. A friend of hers saw us at the restaurant. - Megan
Her new text calmed some of my ardors just when I geared up to get her to agree to see me, either here at my place or at hers.
But this shouted bad news. I grimaced and rubbed my forehead.
And what about your brother? - Chance
Your secret is safe. - Megan
She fired a text back right away. I cursed and instead of answering, I grabbed my keys, stored my phone in my jeans and left my apartment. I wouldn’t let her pull away, not because she had issues with my reluctance to tell her brother that I was obsessed with her and that I wanted to spend as much naked time as possible. I wouldn’t have qualms telling Mathis if only I didn’t owe him so much.
***
CHANCE
When she made it to her door, I was already against the wall, leaning with both hands in my pockets and my eyes riveted to her body. She was stunning, like always. Her lean legs were on display, perfect in her tight white pants. Her perky breasts had me salivating when I noticed they were free of underwear under her purple blouse. She had me already twitching, itching to get her against me so I could peel all of her clothes off.
“Chance? How did you get in?’’
“Security in this building is shit. I wonder how come your parents and brother let you live here.’’
She pursed her delectable lips. “I’m a grown-up. I make my own decisions.’’
“It’s not about that. Okay,’’ I said and held up both hands to placate her, “let's not fight about this. I was only trying to tell you the security worries me, that’s all.’’
She nodded, sighed and unlocked her door right when an old lady with snow white hair and so many wrinkles my eyes couldn’t process them all opened her door to stare at us.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Growsky,’’ Megan saluted gently and didn’t seem to wait for an answer as she walked in. Good thing because her neighbor only glared at me without uttering a word. I didn’t know if she was naturally not polite or if it was because she seemed to be chewing on her teeth.
I shuddered and walked into Megan’s apartment, happy to close the door. “That old bat has a scary glare.’’
“She probably spent her eighty and plus years perfecting it.’’ She dropped her purse and keys on the table in her living room. “What are you doing here?’’
“Do you know what I like about you? You’re honest. And I know you have issues with keeping this between us a secret.’’
“No, I don’t.’’
“Come on, Megan,’’ I said and swaggered to her. Once in front of her, I put my hands on her hips and pulled her to me until she was pressed against me. “I get it if it bothers you.’’
She relaxed and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “I hate hiding things and I know Mathis isn’t going to take it well. That’s all.’’
“No, you’re also worried I’m not taking this seriously.’’
Her shy smile was all the answer I needed. I won’t tell her because it would only result in pushing her away, but every time it’s hinted that there could be something lasting between us I get this nervous pang in my stomach. I was unsure of what I could give her and a part of me was a coward because, after last night, I knew she could very well hurt me more than any other person had ever been able to.
Megan Grimes was a strong woman, a strong person. She had gone through a lot in her life already and she was still standing, still sweet and considerate.
I had had no real shit happen to me. I worked my ass off to get into Harvard on a merit scholarship. I worked harder through college and managed to give my parents a life they deserved by paying off their debts, mine for putting myself through college and offer them a nice house in the Boston area. But that’s all I had ever had to do; work. In life, I didn’t know grief like Megan did. I had both sets of grandparents still alive. My parents were happy and still married. I was an only child and I had always been well-loved by my family and friends. That made me soft and unprotected.
“Don’t be mad at me. I’m here, am I not?’’ I caressed her hips with my thumbs and tried to reassure her with my smile.
“You could have run away, that’s true.’’ She weaved her fingers through my hair and that touch sent tingles down my spine.
“I've been taught by my father that a real man doesn’t run away. He faces his issues head-on.’’ I leaned down and stopped when my mouth grazed hers. “And you, baby, aren’t an issue. You’re worth risking your brother’s ire. That’s something, right?’’
She chuckled and tightened her arms around my shoulders. At her silent prompting, I closed the small space left between our lips and kissed her.
I had never wanted to own a mouth quite like I did hers. Or maybe I just wanted to own her body and soul, just like she had ensnared me ever since that day during my lunch break.
When I tasted her on my tongue and I grew hard, I realized that she took a chance that day, risked her happiness and heart so maybe I should stop being afraid and take a chance in return.
“Where’s your bedroom?’’ I asked in a whisper, raining open-mouthed kisses down her delicious neck.