Dare to Hold (10 page)

Meg rose to her feet, determined to stop this ridiculous display. “Scott—”

“No worries,” Luke said, both hands raised in the air in deferral. “I had no idea she was yours.”

“I’m not anyone’s!” she said. “And besides, do I look like a piece of meat for you two to fight over?”

Tyler burst out laughing. “I don’t think you want either one of them to answer that,” he said. “Have you made any progress?” he asked Luke.

Luke nodded. “She’s given me enough to start.”

“Great. I need to go meet with my captain. And Meg has plans with a friend.”

“You two go on. We have everything under control and in place,” Tyler assured him.

Meg hoped he was right. Because her security was at stake.

*     *     *

Meg didn’t bring up Scott and Luke’s pissing contest on the way back to her place to pick up her car. She didn’t know what to do with the events of the morning, and she put aside thoughts of Scott, his beautiful home, and how she suddenly had a security firm she couldn’t afford, digging into Mike’s life. It was easier to focus on maternity clothes than the sudden one-eighty her life had taken.

When she checked her cell phone, Meg found Lizzy had left a message canceling their afternoon shopping trip because she’d come down with a nasty stomach bug. Determined to get this shopping excursion over with, Meg called Olivia. Luckily the other woman was up for a mall trip.

She had to admit she was surprised Scott had given in so easily on not accompanying her, but she was grateful. She needed a break from his intensity and protective nature. She liked it. Too much. So maybe it was her own surprising needs she needed a break from.

She parked and headed inside to the food court, where she’d agreed to meet up with Olivia. The other woman was waiting, but to Meg’s surprise, she wasn’t alone.

“Hi,” Meg said, joining Olivia and a petite, dark-haired woman at a small table with three chairs.

“Hi!” Olivia rose and pulled her into a hug. “I brought my sister-in-law, Riley, along. Riley, meet Meg. I figured you and I could use an expert for our first maternity expedition.”

Riley raised a hand and waved. “Hi, Meg. Hope you don’t mind me intruding.”

Meg shook her head. “Of course not. If you have advice, I’m happy to hear it. When my jeans wouldn’t close the other night, I nearly burst into tears. They fit a few days ago. I’m a little overwhelmed,” she admitted.

“I’m the mother of an eighteen-month-old. I now have expertise on things I never thought I could handle. Mind if I finish my coffee before we walk around?” Riley asked.

“Of course not.”

“Want to get anything?” Olivia offered.

“No, I’m fine.” Meg settled into a chair at the table, and the other women took their seats again.

“So speaking of your eighteen-month-old, where is your…” Meg trailed off, not knowing if Riley had a boy or a girl.

“Daughter,” she supplied. “Her name is Rainey. She’s with my mother-in-law.” Like any good mom, Riley pulled out her phone and showed off a picture of her baby.

“Isn’t she the cutest?” Olivia asked. “She has Ian’s eyes.”

Meg leaned over the table and glanced at the screen on the phone. Actually, the baby had Scott’s eyes, Meg realized, staring into the cherubic face with dark navy eyes and pudgy cheeks.

“She’s absolutely gorgeous,” Meg said, unable not to grin at the adorable baby with the cute smile.

“Thank you. She also has her father’s … shall we say
dominant
personality? Stubborn as heck already,” Riley said with affection in her tone.

“You don’t say? That controlling personality runs in the family?” Meg met Olivia’s gaze just as her friend burst out laughing.

“What am I missing?” Riley asked.

“Oh. Nothing,” Meg said. “I just meant—”

“Meg is … involved with Scott,” Olivia chimed in before Meg could formulate an explanation.

“Your
brother
Scott?” Riley asked.

Meg shook her head and swallowed a groan. “We’re not really involved, we’re just … I mean, Scott is helping me out with a situation.” Meg liked her interpretation. Better than telling Riley she was sleeping with the other woman’s brother-in-law.

“Is that how you want to play it?” Olivia asked, an amused smile touching her lips.

Meg blew out a long breath. Obviously nothing was sacred among these woman, and the truth was, Meg needed female input. Especially from women who knew the Dare men firsthand. “Fine. We’re involved. I think.”

Olivia grinned, making it obvious to Meg that she approved.

“And I take it from your comment about my daughter’s personality, you find Scott controlling?” Riley asked, laughter twinkling in her eyes.

“You could say that. But I’m not trying to insult him or your family,” Meg rushed to add.

Riley shook her head. “Oh, honey. You think Scott’s controlling? Ian is Scott on steroids. Times fifty.”

Meg stared at the petite woman in awe. “How do you handle him?”

“Don’t let her fool you. She has my brother wrapped around her finger.” Olivia propped an arm on the table and waved her fingers in the air.

“Except it isn’t always easy,” Riley said. “And in the beginning, it nearly broke us apart more than once.” She bit down on her lip. “I really had an issue with controlling men because of my past, and I wasn’t used to turning to anyone for help. Especially when that help came in the form of being told what to do.”

Like Meg had an issue with leaning on Scott. “I get that,” she murmured. “I feel the same way. Scott took me over to Tyler’s security firm this morning. I can’t afford to hire them, but he has them helping me anyway.” She shook her head. “I’m grateful but … I’d just promised myself I would stop relying on other people. Men in particular.”

“But it’s a different kind of reliance, isn’t it?” Olivia asked.

Meg thought about the answer. “Yes. Very different. Before, I just wanted any man in my life, and I’d accept almost anyone to not be alone,” she said, ducking her head in embarrassment. “Can we go shopping now? I don’t think you two together women need to listen to my problems.”

She rose from her seat and pushed her chair in so no one would trip. Olivia and Meg joined her, and together they walked toward the stores.

“I wasn’t all that together when Ian and I met,” Riley said, surprising Meg by continuing their talk.

She glanced at the pretty brunette.

“I fought everything Ian did for me to the point where I ended up in the hospital because I was so insistent on meeting up with my father and handling things alone.” Riley placed a hand on Meg’s arm, and they slowed to a stop. “My point is, we all have problems and issues, but please don’t think you have to go through it alone.”

To Meg’s horror, tears filled her eyes at Riley’s openness and generosity. She pulled a tissue from her bag and wiped her eyes. “Thank you,” she said.

Olivia tapped her shoulder. “Do you think
I
had it together when Dylan and I started seeing each other?”

Meg shrugged. “I don’t know. He didn’t confide in me about you.” Which had been her first clue that her best friend had fallen in love.

“Well, I was a mess. So wrapped up in my past I didn’t want to trust any man. So listen to Riley. She’s smart. And just know we’ve both been there.”

“Except I’m pregnant,” Meg said, pointing out the obvious. “And I honestly don’t think your brother has dealt with what that means. So while I’m really grateful to have his support and help now, I don’t expect him to stick around for too long.”

She blew out a long breath, not wanting to dwell on that thought, or the tears would return, and they wouldn’t be happy or grateful ones. “Now can we go shopping?”

“In a second.” Olivia pursed her lips and hesitated before she spoke. “I also understand how you feel. And I’m not saying you shouldn’t be wary. Be smart. Protect yourself if you feel you need to.”

For some reason, hearing her friend say the things she’d already been telling herself about Scott really hurt. Because it validated her fears that he would eventually realize she came with too many burdens and he wouldn’t stick around.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. Besides, I have more to worry about than myself and my feelings.” She patted her belly. “And I wouldn’t burden Scott with my—”

“Whoa. That is not what I was saying,” Olivia rushed to assure her, sounding horrified. “I just meant I think it’s always smart to prepare for the worst. But Meg, it’s okay to hope for the best too.”

That’s what she’d always done, with each new guy, only to be disappointed every time. But every instinct she had told her Scott was different. She knew for certain he desired her. In bed, they were explosive. She enjoyed talking to him, spending time with him. Getting to know more about what made him tick. And she had to admit it was a relief not dealing with Mike on her own.

“You need to start believing that things are going to turn around for you. And I think you should trust Scott. If nothing else, he’s a man of his word. If he says he’s in, he means it. If he changes his mind, he’ll be honest about that too. But if he does, he’d be an idiot. And even though he drives me insane, my brother is not stupid,” Olivia said.

Meg nodded. “You’re right. I’m going to look at things differently.” For right now, Scott wasn’t going anywhere. And she should enjoy every minute for as long as she could.

“Now that that’s settled, let’s go buy out the store for you two pregnant women,” Riley said.

With the heavy subjects out of the way, Meg had a blast shopping with Riley and Olivia. Riley did know what clothing was comfortable and what wasn’t, directing them away from certain styles and brands and toward others. Meg and Olivia took turns trying on the padded bellies, making sure the clothes they bought would last longer than a few weeks. They laughed over what they’d look like down the road and ignored the more graphic things Riley tried to warn them about. Meg wasn’t ready to purchase moisturizer for dry nipples quite yet.

From the store, they went for a late lunch. By the time they finished, Meg felt happier and more relaxed than she had in a long while.

She stretched her legs beneath the table. “This meal … this whole shopping trip was amazing.”

“I think we should make it weekly,” Olivia said.

“My mother-in-law would love to have Rainey once a week. I’m in,” Riley said. “I need girl time.”

“Hey,” Olivia said, leaning on the round table and speaking in what sounded like a conspiratorial whisper. “Do you think we should tell the waiter it’s Rick’s birthday? They make a whole big deal. All the waiters clap and sing, and everyone in the restaurant usually joins in.”

“Who’s Rick?” Meg and Riley asked at the same time.

“Rick Devlin. Your security guy.” Olivia tipped her head to the right.

“What are you talking about? I don’t have security.” Meg followed the direction to see a guy with military bearing sitting at a table alone. Her stomach churned uneasily as realization dawned. “He looks exactly like the guys wandering around Tyler’s office. But nobody said anything about someone
watching
me.”

“Okay, I think I misspoke,” Riley said. “Ian is Scott on steroids. Times twenty-five, not fifty. I think he’s got more of that dominant gene in him than I realized.” She sighed and took a long sip of her iced tea.

“Are you telling me Scott is having someone follow me?” Meg asked, horrified.

“I thought you knew!” Olivia muttered. “You said you were at Tyler’s this morning and that Scott has them helping you.”

“He’s got a computer guy digging for information on my ex and his family!”

Olivia shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “When I recognized Rick, I just assumed you knew. He works personal security for Tyler. That makes him your bodyguard, for lack of a better word. He’s had an eye on us all day.”

“I’m going to kill Scott.” Meg ripped a paper napkin apart in frustration.

“He obviously wants you safe. If you think about it, it’s kind of sweet,” Olivia said, obviously trying to dig her brother—and herself by extension—out of trouble. Because she’d called Meg’s attention to the man.

“R-i-g-h-t,” Meg said, drawing out the word. “Because if Dylan had a man assigned to guard you and follow you around without your permission, you’d find it sweet. Good to know.”

Riley giggled out loud. “She’s got you there,” she told Olivia.

“Shut up,” Olivia muttered. “I’m so screwed. Scott is going to kill me when he realizes I pointed Rick out to you.”

“No, he won’t. Because I’m going to kill him first. Besides, I would have figured it out sooner or later,” Meg muttered.

Olivia blew out a defeated breath. “Well, if I’m going to get in trouble, and I will, I might as well go all the way. What I was going to say when I started all this was, I can’t think of a better way to end the day than embarrassing one military man with a stick up his ass. Let’s wish him a happy birthday.”

Meg grinned and called for the waiter. Olivia was right. Watching her bodyguard turn bright red with embarrassment and glare at them over his big hot fudge brownie sundae with a candle was the perfect way to end the day.

*     *     *

Scott was on his way to Meg’s apartment, a large bottle of Perrier in hand, to celebrate his new job. He couldn’t bring champagne to a pregnant woman, so he’d opted for something else that was bubbly. He figured he’d get there around the same time she returned from shopping, and they could
celebrate
.

His cell rang while he was driving. The dashboard indicated it was Rick, the guy Tyler had chosen for Meg’s security.

He frowned. The more Scott thought about it—and he’d given his actions a lot of consideration as the day had worn on—the more he realized he needed to tell Meg she had a tail. On the off chance she realized someone was watching her, she’d assume it was her ex, and Scott didn’t want to scare her. He also didn’t like lying to her, even by omission. He should have been up front, and he would be now.

He hit the play button and used his speakerphone. “Talk to me,” Scott said.

“Fucking women,” Rick muttered.

Scott had known Rick for a while. The man had served with Tyler during his stint in the Army, and they’d been friends ever since.