Three Months and You're Mine (In Too Deep) (18 page)

Oh my God! I absolutely loved it that Za
ck said he wasn't okay with the news, even though I didn't really know exactly what that meant. I had to make myself take a few deep breaths before I could think of how to respond.

Me: "Not yet. Trying to see if we can make it happen after work today. Just wanted you to know since I figured you'd be relieved."

Seconds later, my phone rang.

Chapter 20

Zack

I stared down at the words on the screen of my phone. Meredith Blake had just told me that I was off the hook with the student-teacher thing next month, and I should have been relieved
at the news. There was no room for relief in my mind, though, because all I could think was, "Like hell she's just gonna text me and call it off like that," and "what kind of punk-ass piece of shit does she think she's replacing me with?"

Without hesitation, I pressed the call button at the top of my text screen. I put the phone to my ear and waited for Meredith to pick up.

Meredith: "What?"

She was whispering, which made me sort of want to whisper too in spite of the fact that I was at home alone.
I resisted the urge and responded in normal volume.

Me: "Don't act like you don't know why I'm calling. What are you thinking texting me lik
e that in the middle of the day? I thought when I saw your name on my screen that the message was gonna say, thanks for the flowers Zack. But no! Instead I read about your plans to ride some cock after work today."

Meredith:
"What flowers?"

Me: "
I had some sent up there because they're filming your scene today. I remembered you saying they were doing it on Wednesday. But that's not really important compared to all the cock-riding you have planned later."

Meredith: "Quit calling it that. And
you're
the one whose been saying this whole time that you wanted me to cancel anyway, so I can't understand why you're not overjoyed right now."

Me: "Well, just so we're clear, I'm not
even close
to overjoyed. In fact, I need you to promise me right now while I have you on the phone that you're not going to do anything stupid today."

Meredith: "Well, obviously I don't think sleeping with Caleb is stupid, Zack, or I wouldn't have made plans to do it."

Me: "It's Caleb? I knew it. Sleeping with Caleb
is
stupid Meredith, and I'm seriously gonna kick both of your asses if you go through with it."

Meredith: "I have to go. We're filming in
a few minutes and they've come in here three times looking for me."

I could tell by the way she was speaking that she was probably huddled in a dark corner somewhere.

Me: "Meredith, come to my house after work."

Meredith: "I'll try."

Me: "Please don’t be stupid."

Meredith: "Okay, I'll call you.
Gotta go."

And just like that, the phone went dead.

It was four o'clock in the afternoon when I heard from her again. I had done nothing but think about her for the few hours leading up to her call, and within that time, I'd gone from thinking she'd be better off without me to thinking I couldn't live without her. I realized she had been right when she said we should consider giving things a shot between us.

We were perfect for each other, and it took me being faced with losing her to another guy
in that way to make me realize how I felt about her. Maybe that's why that seemed so cliché, because it was a thing that really did happen to people. I had the thought that she very well might decide she wouldn't like me anymore once I told her how I felt, just like she promised, but that was a chance I had to take. That would be something we'd just have to deal with if it came up, but at the moment,
not
telling her how I felt simply wasn't an option.

She sent me a text. At 4:08 PM.
I was reading on my iPad and the text popped up in a little box on top of the book.

Meredith: "The flowers are beautiful. You
shouldn't have, but thank you. The scene went even better than I hoped. Max said they like some of the other stuff I turned in and he wants me to keep writing. I'm so excited. Thanks again for the flowers. Sweet of you to remember it's a red-letter day. We're all going for a drink to celebrate, but I'll call in a bit."

I read the text
again, smiling the whole time. I didn't care if it was a bad time for her to take a call or that this would make two callbacks in one day. I pressed the button to call and put the phone to my ear.

Meredith: "Can you believe my work's
gonna be on TV?"

I was really excited for her about the scene and everything, but right then I was only worried about making sure she wasn't planning on doing anything with Caleb. I didn't much care for her having drinks with him, and I figured he'd be in the group since I knew the scene was written for his character.

Me: "I'm really happy about the scene. I can't wait to see it. Hey, I really need to talk to you when you're done with work stuff. Do you think you can come by here?"

Meredith: "Is everything okay?"

Me: "Yeah, it's fine. I'm fine. I just want to make sure you aren't planning on doing anything with Caleb.

Meredith: "No, Zack. I'm not planning on sleeping with Caleb today, and yes, I'll stop by your house
after I have a drink with everyone."

I could hear by the tone of her voice that she was smiling, and the sound of it made me smile too.

Me: "What time?"

Meredith: "No later than eight, I'm sure."

Me: "Damn, girl where you going? Vegas?"

Meredith:
(Giggling.) "No, we're just going up the street to City Bar, but I didn't want to promise a time and have you waiting for me."

Me: "I'm waiting either way, so get your butt over here."

Meredith: "All right, I'll try to make it quicker than that."

Again, I could hear the smile in her voice.

Meredith: "Hey,
thanks again for the flowers. That was really thoughtful."

Me: "You're welcome. Congratulations on the scene, Shorty."

Meredith: "See you in a little bit."

Me: "Yep. Bye"

Meredith: "Bye."

There was a slight hesitation in the way we both said goodbye, as if each of us knew
the word wasn't quite sufficient. There was still so much to sort out, but we just let it go at that, hanging up after a few seconds of silence on the line.

I showered, shaved, and got dressed
, and within the next fifteen minutes, was out the door, headed to City Bar to get my girl. The feeling of contentment I felt, simply in deciding I wanted to be with Meredith, was like nothing I'd ever experienced. There was an extra little something inside of me, like she'd already carved out a place for herself in there. I was a happier person for having no interest in seeking out the next love affair. Who knew how it would all work out? Maybe Meredith
was
just my next love affair, but the idea of her and me felt right.

I parked in the lot adjoining City Bar, put my keys in my pocket and closed the door to my truck. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the side mirror, and had to laugh at myself for feeling stunned all over again. I still wasn't used to seeing myself with that
scar. I was confident about it. I'd learned to embrace it, actually. I just wasn't used to seeing it there yet and it still surprised me sometimes.

I took a deep breath as I stood in the entryway to the bar and scanned it looking for Meredith's short,
hair. I spotted the flowers I'd sent before I even saw her. I hadn't seen the arrangement in person, but I asked them to send two-dozen long-stemmed, white daisies, and they shone like a beacon down at the other end of the bar.

I started walking in the direction of the flowers, looking for Meredith
. She was sitting on a barstool with a group of her coworkers. A few of the others were on stools, but quite a few were just standing around. Caleb was next to Meredith, and my gut clinched as I wondered if he thought they still had plans to be together. I didn't let any of my jealousy show. After all, who was I to barge in on her work party and tell her who she could or couldn't sit by?

I reached
between two other people to goose her ribs as I approached. She turned and glanced at me with a cordial smile before doing a double take. I watched her eyes get wide with surprise and her expression morph from confused to happy as she took me in.

"What in the world are you doing here?" she asked. "How'd you even know where I was?"

"You told me on the phone. I hope it's okay for me to crash the party." I looked around, as if seeking the support from her coworkers. I knew Caleb and Bailey pretty well, but there were a lot of them I didn't recognize. No matter, they all smiled and nodded telling me I was a welcome addition to the party. I shot them all thankful smiles before focusing my attention back on Meredith. I was standing close enough for her knees to brush me as she swiveled in her stool.

I stared into her stormy blue eyes, wondering why I felt like I was seeing her for the first time. Was that how it worked? Could I just all of a sudden, in one afternoon fall in love with someone? I stared into her eyes, marveling at how my feelings had changed so much since the last time I saw her. Not that I didn't l
ike her before, because I had a real fondness for her, but the feelings I had in that moment went far beyond fondness. She looked into my eyes and, while I didn't know what she was thinking exactly, I hoped and imagined that she was returning some of my feeling. I thought she was, even though neither of us said a word. We just stared into each other's eyes for a few long seconds until Bailey broke the silence.

"Nice touch with the flowers," she said. "Your girl's scene went really
well. I wasn't in it, but I was done for the day and got to watch most of it."

I could see Caleb's face from where I was standing, and I
didn't miss that he was surprised when Bailey referred to Meredith as
my girl
. Quite honestly, the comment surprised me too, but I wasn't too keen on Caleb having feelings either way. I figured Bailey had just said that because she knew we'd been hanging out lately, or maybe it was because I sent flowers. It didn't really matter what tipped her off, bottom line was, it was true. Meredith
was
my girl. I just needed to tell her, that's all. 

"Zack, I want you to meet my boss," Meredith said. She reached through a few people and tapped the guy I assumed was Max Mitchell on the shoulder. He turned around smiling, and
sat his beer on the bar so he could shake my hand.

"Hey, Zack Larson. I'm a big fan."

"Likewise," I said. "If for no other reason, than the fact that you have good taste." I nodded at Meredith.

"I'd have to be blind to miss the potential," he said. He scanned my body from head to toe with a concerned expression. "I heard about your accident. How's recovery?"

"Slow but steady. Doctors say I'm moving faster than they thought. We're all hopeful I'll be back at it before too long."

"It's
gotta be hard for someone as active as you."

"You have no idea," I said.
"I hate being forced to sit still. That's been the hardest part, but I'm good now. I'm back in the pool for light workouts and it's going well."

"That's
fantastic, I'll have to get you to sign a napkin or something before you leave. My son would be mad at me if I didn't."

I smiled. "
I'd be happy to sign something. Just hit me up before you head out."

"You have those photos in the truck," Meredith interjected.

I looked at her, confused.

"Your mom gave them to you, remember? She
said you should have them in your truck in case you ever needed to sign something."

"I forgot about that," I said. "I saw that envelope in there the other day. I haven't even
looked at the pictures."

"They're good," she said.
"I looked at them when you went into Peto's to get me an Icee that time. There are a few different poses. All poolside stuff."

I looked at Max. "I guess I have a headshot.
Better than a napkin. I'll run out there and get it before I leave."

"You might as well grab a few," Bailey said. "I'm your friend and I don't even have one."

Meredith must have been proud of the attention I was getting because she swung her leg around, pulling me closer in a discrete movement. I put my hand on the bar, leaning on it and basically hovering over her. I recognized the clean smell of her perfume even though it was faint by the end of the day. Max turned to continue his other conversation, and everyone else sort of followed suit. "You're sweet for telling Max he had good taste," she said.

"I was just stating fact," I said.

She stretched up to whisper in my ear. The feel of her breath on my cheek made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. "Do
you
think I have potential?" she asked.

For the love of God,
did I think she had potential?
Good one. I couldn't wait to explore the possibilities.

I pulled back so I could focus on her. "Do you still think
we
have potential?" I asked.