Page 55 of Merrick

“I keep forgetting that this is where you live now.”

“I am a news anchor for CBS.”

“I have watched you several times.” He gestured for her to sit. “Have you eaten?”

“I was just meeting with my agent and was on my way out.” Leaning across the table, she took his hands in hers and squeezed. “You have been out of touch since the accident and the funeral. Laura was my best friend.”

“I know,” Merrick murmured. “It was difficult for me to stay in touch with her friends. For an exceedingly long time, I could not face what was.”

“I understand. You are finishing up. How about I buy you a glass of wine and we catch up?”

“That sounds like a plan.”

“All right then.” She signaled the waiter, who came right over.

*****

Her house seemed empty and strange. She had spent several nights away, and her plants were neglected. The bite of wind had cut through her light jacket, reminding her that fall was roaring in. And she was tired. Worn out, like she had never been before.

She was getting old; she thought as she went into the kitchen to water her plants and put the kettle on. She had picked up Chinese out of habit. She was not hungry. Brad had brought her something from the deli a block away and she had barely nibbled on it. The coffee at the precinct tasted like crap and she realized she had been spoiled.

She was listless and unhappy. Her aunt had called, and she promised to go and visit her, but she was not in the mood for conversation. She was not in the mood for anything.

She wanted to shy away from what was really bugging her. She was hooked on him, gone all the way over and she missed him. He had done something to her. She had gone through all her life being independent, self-sufficient, never needing anyone. The job had always been enough for her, and it had satisfied her.

Rummaging through the pantry, she chose a blend of ginger and lemon and poured water over the pouch and then added honey.

Taking the cup with her, she went to sit at the table next to the window and looked out at the trees waving in the breeze. She should get Bernard to come and do some trimming before the leaves start making a damn mess.

Where was he? The thought snuck in before she could stop it. He had only said he was going out of town for a bit. He had not told her he would call while he was away or when he would be coming back.

And she was not going to call him. The words he had spoken to her were haunting her. And she was afraid that she had fallen deep. Was he with someone else? She wondered achingly. And if he was, could she blame him?

Picking up her cup, she took a sip.

And was not surprised to feel the tears leaking from her eyes.

Damn him! Since getting involved with Merrick Pendergast, she had cried more than she ever did before in her whole life.

*****

“I believe it’s a sign,” Grace murmured as she stared at him over her glass.

“A sign?”

She nodded. “That we are in the same restaurant at the precisely the same time. After all these years. I liked you all those years ago Mer, but you had eyes only for Laura and being the good friend I was, I decided to let things go.

And after the funeral, you were so broken up, I could not do anything. I wanted to comfort you, be there for you.” She touched his hand briefly and let her touch linger. “Then we were both so busy afterwards. I launched my career and well you…” She smiled. “You became busier taking your company to exalted heights.

Then I made the poor decision of marrying my co-anchor and that fell flat. It lasted all of two years, and we realized that we should have just stuck with the sleeping arrangement.” Her green eyes softened. “Laura was lucky. Even though you had all that money and good looks, you never once looked at another woman.”

“I was in love with her.”

Grace nodded. “And now?”

“Now.” He contemplated his wine and felt his heart lurching. “I’m afraid I am in love with someone – all the way in love with her.”

Grace stared at him in surprise. “She’s not here with you?”

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