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Chase
"Yes, that's the spot," Meagan declared. Then, nodding, she pointed toward the window, indicating where she wanted her desk.
"That's perfect!" I couldn't help but agree. "You'll have plenty of natural light." As I helped Bruce carry the hefty antique desk, I was still in disbelief that Megs had accepted Guy’s and my suggestion of working on the grant from my man cave. My home office was perfectly connected to the Rosedale network, and I was comfortable with the safety Bruce and Hank provided. Even though Guy's estate had security, it focused more on their main residence than the guest house. I knew Megs would be safe if she stayed with me, so that was one less issue to worry about.
As we finished moving the desk, inches this way and that way until Megs was satisfied, she nodded toward my bearskin rug and pursed her lips. "Really? I mean, it will be hard to concentrate on working beside a wild bear.... even if it's dead," Meagan giggled awkwardly, running her hand through her hair. She had been putting on a brave face regarding the move-in but struggling to maintain a stiff upper lip.
"No problem at all!" I exclaimed, swiftly removing the rug, and setting it aside. "Your workspace is all set up now, princess. Why don't you take a break while Bruce and I get your clothes from the Escalade? I'm sure you'd like to get comfortable after such a long morning."
Megs flashed a weak smile, her eyes darting around the room. "I'm okay. You got anything around here I can fix for lunch? I need to eat... it's almost time to take my meds."
"Ah, not really. I've been living with you most of the time, remember," I grinned, working to hide my mounting anxiety. There was bound to be some sort of backlash for this quick decision for her to move in. We all had been so optimistic, including Guy, that the grant would come through without a hitch. Unfortunately, now Megs was drawn into our stressful situation. Trying to ease my conscience, I whispered, "Fucking asswipe, Clint. This can't last too long or..."
"What did you say?" Megs turned to face me.
"What would you like to have for lunch? Let me order it via Uber Eats," I said, winking.
Megs knew perfectly well I was lying but played along. "We both like Chinese. Surprise me," she answered, grabbing an armful of her clothes from Bruce. "I'll take those. I'm not sure yet where I want them."
I was busy ordering when Meagan just tossed her clothes on the couch and sank beside them, scrolling through her phone. "I thought you said you emailed me the grant application and the instructions. If I'm going to be here, at least for a while, I need to get the documents together and make sure they're properly formatted. I don't see them here. You said this would be easy, but I guess not," she said in a low voice, her eyes shying away from mine.
"Don't worry about it, Meagan," I said firmly. "I'll help you put everything together. We'll get it done in no time. I plan to work from home with you for a few days. Since the information is on my secure server, it won't go through to your private email. I'll have to set you up with a Rosedale email account before you can see anything."
Megs nodded and took a deep breath, her shoulders visibly relaxing. I silently cursed Clint for the hundredth time that day, thankful I could provide Meagan with a safe workplace, at least. Of course, deep down, I was excited that Megs had joined me for selfish reasons too. My innermost wish was to renovate this penthouse and ask her to live here with me permanently.
Although I was pretty satisfied staying with Megs off and on at Guy's guest house, the arrangement wouldn't last forever. Due to her ongoing therapy sessions, Meg's memory was recovering, and she seemed stronger day after day. Yet, I wasn't ready to push for anything more, especially with the psycho still on the loose. Now, with the added pressure of securing funding for the Golden Key Project, it felt as though a knife was stirring my guts. Megs, as sensitive as she was, had to suffer more — as if enduring another attempt on her life wasn't enough.
"Now, let's get some Chinese," I said, forcing a smile. "We have a lot of work ahead — so, the sooner we get started, the better."
"You know, I'm going to miss Cookie and Jonathan. Ariel and I have been getting together almost daily for an hour or two."
"Oh, I didn't realize...." I interjected.
"By the time you got home from work, I was focused on you. I wanted to be supportive... I wanted to try and pay you back for all you've done to support me... even if it almost got us killed." Megan grinned tiredly, reaching up to hug my neck as I bent over the couch to embrace her.
"I'll drop you off at the guest house on the days I have to go to the office. Will that help out?"
"Perfect! So, which bedroom do I put these clothes in?" Meagan changed the subject and gestured to the pile of clothes strewn over the couch. I did a double take — taken aback that she would even pose such a question. Even though my penthouse had three large bedrooms, I assumed she would stay in the master bedroom with me... maybe that expectation was a bit too confident, or perhaps it was her way of putting some distance between us.
"Well, what room do you prefer?" I asked, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice.
"Chase, you know, up until now, we never really moved in together. You were in and out of the guest house, for sure. But you didn't keep much of your stuff there. Mostly, you would grab things from here and then send your clothes off to the laundry... I mean, besides the stuff I washed for you. Your suits and work shirts I never saw."
"No, they were delivered here."
Meagan covered her face with her hands, the first sign of trouble. "I'm just so overwhelmed. I don't know what to do."
I pulled her into a tight embrace and stroked her hair. "Look, Megs, I've been sleeping with you every single night since Catalina. I don't want to start sleeping alone. You can put your fucking clothes anywhere you want that is comfortable for you." I explained.
"But we were just together in the evening and on the weekend. We didn't work together during the day or anything like that... and I don't want to sleep without you either." Megs pulled away to look at me face to face. "What do you think?"
"Let's put your clothes in the second bedroom closet. The one that overlooks the pool. The adjoining bathroom is enormous, with a whirlpool tub and rainforest shower. The vanity has a chair..."
"No! I'll be showering with you!" Meagan gave me a firm nod and took off toward the second bedroom carrying her clothes.
"Wait, let me help..."
DOORBELL
