Page 83 of Break My Fall

“So do I. Stay on track, sweetie. You were hurt. You lashed out. That doesn’t mean you don’t care about Gray. He understands that you took a risk with him by showing how you felt. You put yourself out there and got your nose smacked for it.”

“More like a black eye.”

“Fine. You got punched in the face. Or, more accurately, the gut, the heart, the feels. He kissed you and then claimed it was a mistake. And you reacted in anger while in pain. But if he hadn’t been important, you wouldn’t have cared.”

“If he wasn’t important, I never would have kissed him.”

“Exactly. And now he’s come to his senses. Took him long enough. If he’s smart, he wants to restore things to the point where you’ll be crazy for him again.”

“I’m pretty sure that part never went away.” Meredith fiddled with the calendar on her desk. “I tried to make it go away, but...”

Bronwyn sighed. “Yeah. I know. So, what time is your date?”

“Seven. He’s picking me up at six forty-five. He says there’s no way I’m driving to his house for a date, which is super polite but ridiculously inefficient.”

“You sound like Mo when you say things like that. Love isn’t about efficiency. Love is supposed to be inefficient, inconvenient, and even a little weird.”

“What’s with all the love talk? It’s a date. Afirstdate.”

“But can it be a first date when you’ve already had your first kiss?”

“Not funny.”

Bronwyn ignored her. “I’ll be at your place at five thirty. We’ll find the perfect outfit, freshen up your makeup, and have you ready to leave for the ball at six forty-five.”

“I don’t need help getting dressed for a date. I’m not fifteen. I’m thirty-two.”

“I’m not coming to help you get dressed, although you should let me help you pick out your outfit. Maybe I’ll bring a few things.”

“Then—?”

“I’m coming to run interference.”

“What?”

“As soon as Gray pulls into the driveway, Mo and Cal will lose their minds. If I’m there, I’ll be able to smooth the way.”

Meredith made it through the day in a blur. She focused on her patients and thanked the Lord, sincerely and fervently, that her entire afternoon was nothing but routine cleanings. If she’d had to do a root canal, she might have needed to reschedule.

At five thirty, she was waiting on her porch when Bronwyn brought her BMW SUV to a stop behind Meredith’s 4Runner.

Meredith doubted that Bronwyn could see him, but she knew Mo stood in his doorway, watching as Bronwyn came toward her holding three garment bags and a makeup case.

“I don’t need your clothes.” Meredith opened the door for her to step inside and then followed.

“You might. You never know.” Bronwyn divested herself of her burdens, turned, and threw her arms around Meredith. “How are you feeling? It’s been a few hours. Are you sure you want to go out with him? Because I can head him off if you don’t.”

Meredith’s phone buzzed, but she ignored it. “I’m excited. And terrified. I’m worried about whether my deodorant will hold up. What if I start sweating?”

“Sweat is a normal bodily function. And in your case, all Gray will see is that you have a translucent glow about you.” Bronwyn slipped into a snooty upper-crust accent at the end, then dissolved into laughter. “Since when do you worry about sweat?”

“Since I started breaking out in one every time I’m around him,” Meredith confessed.

Bronwyn gave her a shrewd look. “How long has this been going on?”

“Since the day I met him.”

Bronwyn grinned. “Then I guess we should plan for you to wear layers. If you start glistening, you’ll need to be able to bare some skin.”

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