Page 9 of Claiming What Is Mine

I flash to thoughts of her, always on tip toes, and me, always bending a bit, to get our mouths aligned. She was an adorable package of sweet and sassy TNT, with thick curls of chocolate hair bouncing off her shoulders.

“Such a sad sack, sitting over here alone. Are you going for the sympathy card with the ladies? Is that your game tonight, Wilde?” Meredith taps her small black flat with the little red bow lightly on the floor. God help me, even her tiny feet are adorable.

“What? No. What are you talking about? And more important—what are you doing here?”

“Here, as in, sitting here talking to you? Would you prefer to be alone? Am I ruining your chance to get with one of those eligible girls?” She motions at the crowded dance floor. “Because I can go.”

“No. Don’t. Pleassse—shtay. I meant…” Damnit. Now I’m slurring my words?

“I know, silly. I’m only teasing.” Meredith pauses and lets out a big sigh. “Why am I here? That’s a long, complicated story. One I have no interest in getting into at a place like this—and certainly not with you.”

I offer her the bottle again as the air conditioning stirs a breeze, cooling the sweat on my neck. “Here, this will help. Besides, it may be better if you hold it for a while.”

Reluctantly, she takes the bottle from my hand, sniffs, and then shudders. “Ohhh. I can’t remember the last time I drank liquor straight.”

“Hey don’t sweat it. Just think, tomorrow, you won’t have that problem.” I laugh and immediately regret it as the chuckle combines with the bass from the music, reverberating through my body and into my head.

Meredith takes a drink and coughs violently, holding the bottle as far away as possible. “Phew, that is…”

“Good stuff, huh?”

“Sure. I guess.” She shudders again. “Might be better if it were mixed with a big glass of 7 Up, or something.”

“Nah. I say try again. I find the more you’ve had, the better it tastes.”

“You are the last person on Earth I’d get drunk with.” Meredith rolls her eyes and hands me the bottle. “This was a bad idea. I just didn’t want you to hear about me being back from your mother.”

“Wait. You’re back?” I ask as she stands to leave. “Hold on a sec. Don’t go. Look at me—I’m a wreck. Have pity. Please?”

She turns back, looks me over, and lets out another breath. “You do look quite pathetic down there, all alone. Don’t you?”

Steady Gabe, don’t stop now.“You were about to fill me in on what brought you back to good ole’ Logan county.” I nudge her chair with my foot. “Here, have a ssheat and talk to old Gabe.” Damn it, man—with the slurring.

“Ha. You must be drunk. That is not remotely close to what I said.” Meredith stands with her hands on her hips.

“Ahh. Don’t be shy. Once upon a time, I would have bet I knew you better than anyone else in the world. You can trust me.”

Meredith crosses her arms and leans back. “I will agree to the first part—once upon a time—you did know me better than anyone. I’m not so sure about that last part, however.”

I place my hand over my chest as if I’d been shot in the heart. “What would make you say a hurtful thing like that?”

“Past history aside?” Meredith lifts a brow. “Let’s just say in the time I’ve been back, I’ve heard plenty about your...ahem…reputation.”

“Reputation? What reputation? That I’m a stand-up guy? A real class act? I’m afraid I’m gonna need a little help here, Doll.”

“Same cocky guy I knew all those years ago.” Meredith shakes her head. “No. Your reputation as a…hold on, let me get this right…a panty chasing heartbreaker.” She makes air quotes with her fingers as Hank comes dancing by with a little girl—all curls and flouncy skirt—on his feet.

Note to self, find out who Meredith’s been talking to and kill that person. Slowly.“Who would go and say a thing like that?” Honestly, I couldn’t begin to put that list together. I doubt there’s enough paper at the ranch.

“From what I hear, that would make for quite a list, my friend.” Meredith shoots me a knowing glare.

Damnit, I just thought that. I really am going to have to track down her source.

“Alright, maybe there used to be some truth behind it, but that’s all in the past. Besides, I have a good reason...not that you’d believe me if I told you.”

“Oh, this ought to be good.” Meredith takes a seat in her chair, leaning in to me, elbow on knee, chin in hand.

“Oh no. You tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.” I pick the half-empty bottle up from the floor and hand it back to her. “Spill.”

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