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Gloria looked at Meghan, frowning when she took in her expression. “She said she knew you.” Gloria swallowed. “Is that okay?”
No it wasn’t, but this wasn’t Gloria’s fault. She just didn’t want Carlyn anywhere near Isla. And she definitely didn’t want her talking to her.
“It’s okay.” Meghan shot another look at Carlyn. She was still smiling. What if she was more unhinged than Rich realized? The thought of her hurting Isla sent a shiver through her body. “But we need to go now. It’s almost dinner time.”
“Can’t I go swim again?” Isla asked. “Please?”
“No.” Meghan’s voice was unintentionally sharp. But she needed to get her away from here. “Come on, let’s go.” She quickly folded Isla’s towel in her hands, then slid her sandals onto her feet. Gloria, realizing something was wrong, rushed to get up.
“What a shame. I hoped we’d be able to talk. Maybe another time,” Carlyn said, sounding way too normal. She stood and dusted her cream pants, sliding her sunglasses over her made-up eyes. “It was lovely to meet you, Isla. Hopefully I’ll see you again. Any friend of Rich’s is a friend of mine.”
“I’m so sorry,” Rich said later that night, as he stood in her doorway. She’d texted him earlier to tell him what happened. “I can’t believe she talked to Isla like that. She’s gone too far.”
Meghan wrapped her hand around his wrist and pulled him inside. She could feel the fury wafting from him. “Let’s not talk out here,” she said softly. “Gloria is already upset enough. I don’t want her to feel like this is her fault.”
“It isn’t her fault at all. It’s mine. I should never have involved you in this.” He shook his head, his jaw tight. “If Carlyn does anything to hurt you or Isla…” Breathing out heavily, he took Meghan into his arms. “I’ll kill her.”
Her cheek rested on his chest. She could hear the rapid thud of his heart against his ribcage, could feel the warmth of his skin through the thin fabric of his t-shirt. He stroked her hair with his hand, his fingers leaving a trail of electricity on her scalp. She could never get used to the way she felt when he hugged her.
He was breathing heavily. She closed her eyes and inhaled sharply. He must have showered at the hospital, because a hint of spice and pine clung to his skin. She wrapped her arms around him, her palms pressed against his back, her fingers touching a thin sliver of skin exposed between his t-shirt and his jeans.
He pressed his face to her hair, his lips kissing her scalp. He was only trying to console her, that was all. But her body thought different, arching into him, the heaviness of her need pulsing through her body.
After being starved of a masculine touch for so long, her body was like a greedy monster, desperate for more. It took everything she had to pull away and take a breath, stepping back to put some distance between them.
His eyes were restless. They caught hers and she could see herself reflected in the darkness of his pupils. The heaving of his chest mirrored her own.
It was just a hug. That’s all.
“Would you like a drink?” she asked him.
“Have you got any ice cream?” He was such a kid at heart sometimes.
“I brought a tub of strawberry shortcake home tonight.” She grabbed a bowl and scooped some in, trying not to laugh as he devoured it in seconds. He was a big man, and she was almost certain he didn’t eat regularly, thanks to his schedule.
“I’ll go see her tomorrow,” he said, when the bowl was empty. “If she doesn’t back off this time, I’ll file a restraining order. I’ve spoken to a lawyer already, he thinks I have a good case. It’ll mean she won’t be able to come within a certain distance of my home or work. That should protect Isla, too.”
Meghan nodded. “Thank you.” The panic of seeing Carlyn with Isla had died down. She hadn’t hurt her, or even upset her. Isla had been as talkative as ever at bedtime, and had listened carefully as Meghan gave her the stranger danger talk again.
“And I’ll talk to Gloria, too. Tell her about Carlyn and ask her to be on the lookout.” He shook his head. “I should have taken this more seriously. And I should never have involved you and Isla in this.”
“I’m a grown up. I involved myself.” Meghan gave him the softest of smiles. “And you shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. This is her fault, not yours. You didn’t ask her to be obsessed with you.”
His laugh was humorless. “Yeah, but she is.”
“It’s weird how we blame ourselves for things that aren’t our fault. It’s like our brains are trying to make sense of things. To work out ways to protect us from ever getting hurt again. But the thing is, you just dated her. You didn’t make her any promises. Didn’t tell her she would always be with you. You took her out for dinner or drinks or whatever it was you did and that was it. The rest is on her.”
“That’s not how the world sees it.” He lifted an eyebrow. “The guys at the hospital think it’s a joke. And I know they think I did something to deserve it.”
“But you didn’t.” Her voice was firm. “You have to know that.”
His eyes flickered to hers. They were clouded. “You’re very sweet.”
“I am, or my ice cream is?” She grinned.
“Both.” He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again.
“What?”
