"So things look like they're headed in the right direction, but I have a few suggestions that could get you there even faster," she said.
"Let's hear them."
She detailed all the things that had come to mind over the past few weeks as she'd reviewed the statements, surprised to find herself feeling more alive than she had since coming home. She seemed to enjoy using her expertise when it was geared in the right direction.
Looking at the stack of files piled high on her desk, she grimaced. Not in that direction. Suddenly it hit her. Why hadn't she seen it before? She had the perfect solution, both for her and Brandon, but it was going to take some work to pull it off.
"Brandon, listen," she said hurriedly. "I have a lot of things I want to talk to you about, but I need to get a few more details in place. Let me figure it out and I'll get back to you."
They said their goodbyes, and she ended the call, feeling the first bit of happiness in weeks.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A week later Meredith was standing outside her brother's office, nerves mingling with anticipation. She'd come straight there after arriving at the resort, leaving her bags with the concierge to be taken care of later. This could go one of two ways, but she hoped against hope that her brother would accept what she'd done.
She lifted her hand to knock briskly and pushed the door open when he called out for her to come in.
"Meredith!" He jumped up from his seat in shock. She was probably the last person he expected to walk in. She looked around the office, relieved to find they were alone. She'd been terrified she'd run into Cole before she got a chance to see Brandon. That was one thing she wanted to put off as long as possible.
She ran into his open arms, meeting him halfway around the desk, and he squeezed her into the tightest bear hug she'd had in a very long time. Just when she thought she was about to pass out from a lack of oxygen, he released her, staring at her as if he couldn't believe she was actually in front of him.
"What are you doing here?"
She chewed her lip nervously, worried all over again at how he would receive her news. And her proposition.
"I quit."
He blinked. Shook his head. Blinked again. Meredith had to laugh at the confused expression on his face. Finally he choked out, "You did what?"
"Quit. Resigned. Handed in my notice. Whatever you want to call it. I no longer have a job."
"I don't understand," he said, sitting down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. She took the seat next to him.
"Brandon, I don't know how to tell you this, but I hate my job. I always have. I've never wanted to work in finance."
He looked stunned, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. "Then why the hell did you major in finance?"
Now it was her turn to look stunned. Because he'd expected so much of her. Because she'd only always wanted to make him proud. She said as much.
"Honey, I've always been proud of you. I would have been proud of you no matter what you chose to do with your life. Of course I wanted you to be successful, and independent, but only because I knew that's what you wanted for yourself."
"Well yes, that's what I want, if you put it like that. But I thought you expected me to do something professional. Something serious."
"Are you saying you chose your career based on what you thought my expectations were?"
Yes. Oh, God. Is that not what he wanted from her?
Nodding slowly, she said, "I just wanted to prove to you that I could take care of myself. I didn't want to be your burden anymore."
He wrapped her in another hug. "You've never been a burden, Meredith. Not ever."
She felt her throat closing up again but forced herself to hold it together. She couldn't get emotional when she had so much else to talk to him about.
"Well good, then maybe you won't be opposed to me forcing myself on you."
He tilted his head, eying her with no small amount of wariness. "Does this have to do with you quitting your job?"
"Yes. And you know, I've realized that even though I hated every minute of my job, it's all prepared me for what comes next. I'm here to be your financial adviser," she declared, bracing for the worst.
"My. Financial. Adviser."
"Yep. From what I can tell, you're desperately in need of one, and what I've done in the past month has already kick-started your revenue. But there's a catch."
He lifted a hand to his forehead as if he were having a hard time processing it all. "Hit me with it now while you've still got me reeling."
Meredith laughed. Maybe this would work out after all. "If I'm going to steer your resort in the right financial direction, you have to let me take over as head of the dance program. And do it my way."
"Honestly, I'm not opposed to it. Really. But you of all people know I can't match your salary at the firm. There's no way. I mean, we can't even afford to hire new instructors."
She shook her head. "That's the beauty of it. I don't care about my stupid salary. Bran, what I care most about in this world is being able to dance. And if I can have a place to live, food to eat, my brother nearby and dance whenever I want, what else can I ask for?" She could think of one more thing, but it was never going to happen and she'd have to come to terms with it.
"We'll work it into the contract," she continued. "As revenue increases, so can my salary. But don't you see? I've finally found a way to do what I love. I can pursue my dream." She only hoped he would go for it.
"Let me think about it," he said somberly. Her high hopes nosedived. Even though she'd known it was crazy to quit her job without another one lined up, she'd been sure she could convince him.
Her disappointment must have been written all over her face because he burst into laughter. "Come here, you." He stood and squeezed the life out of her yet again, and she looked up at his face, confused. "I'm done thinking. Of course, Meredith. Did you ever doubt you'd always have a place here? I can't say I haven't thought something similar before, but you always seemed like you were doing so well and I didn't want you to give up your career to help your old brother out."
"Seriously?" She could hardly believe what she was hearing.
"Seriously."
***
Meredith left the dance studio where she had just told Katrina her good news feeling lighter than she had in weeks. Katrina had been just as thrilled as she was and gushed over the idea of having her friend back with her permanently. Meredith couldn't believe things were working out for her better than she'd dreamed possible.
Except for Cole.
She pushed the thought aside with effort. She'd have to get used to seeing him around if they were both going to be working on the same property. They'd have to talk at some point, but she wasn't ready for that yet.
She approached the villas on the edge of the property where Brandon had set her up to live. There were just a few on this side of the resort and they were reserved for employees that were needed on the property at all times, or for very important guests. Her bags were supposed to have been delivered already, so all she had to do was unpack in her new home and enjoy the rest of the day. She wouldn't start working officially until Monday, so she had a few days to enjoy herself.
She was just inserting her key card into the slot when she heard the door next to hers open. She turned to greet her new neighbor and stood with her mouth agape as he emerged.
Cole.
He must have been as shocked as she was because he froze, staring at her as if he wasn't sure she was really there.
"Hey." Her voice came out much more controlled than she'd expected.
"Hey." He took a hesitant step toward her. "What are you doing here?"
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 straigh
t 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?
But then he realized, he had been the one to walk out on her. It felt like he'd taken a knife to the heart when she'd said all they had was just sex. But wasn't that what he'd insisted on it being? What if they could have more? He didn't know if she would even want more.
Was it worth putting his heart on the line to find out? That's what he had to decide.
A bit after sunset he walked on the beach, letting his feet sink into the wet sand where the ocean met the shore. He stared out at the water, just as he'd done all day, and realized he was nearly at the same spot where he and Meredith had walked that first fateful night.
"I thought I might find you here." Her voice floated over the lapping waves, drawing his attention up the beach.
He turned slowly, watching her walk toward him. She wore a long black sun dress that skimmed her feet, carrying her sandals in her hand. He stared at her, silently willing her to say something else. To prove she wasn't a magnificent figment of his imagination.
"We need to talk." She was matter of fact. So sure of whatever she had to say that it couldn't be good. His heart sank.
He inhaled sharply, walking up to meet her and stopping three feet away. The moonlight shone on her creamy skin and glinted off her dark hair so that it appeared almost blue. He wanted to burn the image into his memory so he could always picture her like this.
"I guess we do."
"We're going to be working in close proximity, probably even having to dance together at some point, so I have something I need to say."
"Would that be so terrible?" He couldn't stop himself from asking.
She looked taken aback by the question. What was going on in that head of hers?
"It doesn't have to be, I suppose," she said, uncertainty shining in her bright eyes. "Not if we clear the air."
That again. She loved to clear the air. He sighed and looked off into the distance to where a bonfire was burning near the main buildings.
"Let's hear it then."
She wrapped her arms around her stomach when he spoke. He hadn't intended to sound so clipped, but all he wanted to do was strip her down and have his way with her under the stars and that seemed to be slipping further from his grasp with every passing second.
"I guess I owe you an apology." That wasn't what he'd expected. She rushed ahead as if she had to get it all out at once. "I told you from the beginning that I didn't need any promises from you. We had a deal, and I went into it with my eyes wide open." She faltered and Cole wanted to break in and stop her from saying something he didn't want to hear, but he let her have her say. "If we're going to be running into each other all the time, you need to know that I don't have any expectations from you. I heard loud and clear that you were only in it for the sex."
Cole cleared his throat, unable to follow what she was trying to tell him. "That's because you said it." Because that's all it had been for her.
"Well, yes." She stumbled over the words. "That's all you wanted."
"It was," he murmured, distracted by her bright eyes as he thought about how she had completely changed every
thing he thought he wanted.
"Okay. Well. That's it. I just want you to know that you're free to live your life and not worry about me." She turned to leave, and he would have let her go if something about her choice of words wasn't nagging at his brain.
"Meredith, wait." He stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, feeling her pulse beat erratically under his fingers. She stopped but didn't look at him, so he leaned down to her eye level and was shocked to find them glistening with tears. It brought him back to that afternoon in the grotto when she'd so fully let go with him. When they'd reached a level of intimacy Cole had never experienced. He shook his head. Something wasn't adding up.
"Mere, what you said. That it was all I wanted. What about you? What did you want?" His breath became shallow as he waited for her to answer him.
She looked away, blinking furiously. "It doesn't matter. I don't expect anything from you."
"That's not what I asked. I need to know, because when I came to your room that night, I had plenty of expectations."
Her eyes snapped up to his and he saw everything he needed to know. The familiar desire and passion were there, but a yearning glimmer of hope was too.
He wrapped his fingers around her other wrist. "And not just for another night together." Fear rose one last time in his chest, but the depth of emotion swirling within her was written all over her face, and he put his past behind him once and for all and readied himself to lay it all on the line.
***
If the raw feelings surging through her body didn't kill her, Meredith thought the agony of waiting for Cole to speak again would surely do the job. Anxiety over having her hopes crushed mixed with an all-consuming tenderness toward him. She wanted nothing more than for him to take her in his arms and whisper the words she longed to hear.
He released her hands and wrapped one arm around her waist, the other reaching up to cup her chin. She allowed herself to indulge in the moment and closed her eyes as he stroked her cheek.
Rescue Me (Sunset Bay Book 1) Page 15