Page 65 of Dominate Me

Gabby’s fingers went to her collar and she smiled. That same satisfied smile she’d used with me earlier. I admired her confidence, her understanding of who she was even if my eyes were jumping back and forth like I had stepped onto center court of the world’s strangest tennis match.

“Your friend is waiting for you,” Gabby replied, and nodded to someone at the counter.

My head turned in that direction. She was no less beautiful than Meredith except her appearance was so different. Hair like the most beautiful beach and blue eyes to match the ocean. She was classic and innocent, with only the hint of dark circles under her eyes to show she was that pretty without having makeup on. And dressed in black yoga pants and a zip-up athletic jacket, she looked like she’d either just come from a workout or was heading to one.

It didn’t diminish the fact she was stunning. She’d be the kind of girl in a magazine teenage boys would rip out and hide under their mattress.

“Of course,” Meredith said. She looked back at Gabby and then down at me, her eyes narrowing...assessing.

I fought the urge to ask all the questions pummeling my mind. Who was she to Jensen? What did she mean by almost family? Was that Courtney?

She held out her hand, long thin fingers an invitation to shake. One I couldn’t stop myself from taking. “Meredith Moxley.”

“Haley.” Could she feel my hand trembling? I didn’t take the time to find out before I pulled my hand out of her grip.

“I feel like we’ve met before.”

“Sorry.” I shrugged and tried to smile but it felt forced. “I don’t believe so.”

“Meredith?” A woman said timidly, gaining all our attention. “We should go.”

“I’ll be right there, Courtney,” she said, not taking her eyes off me. I didn’t know if she’d seen Jensen drag me down the hall and away from her at The Royal Mile weeks ago, but it was obvious she recognized me from somewhere. If she hadn’t put it together yet, she looked smart enough that it wouldn’t take her long to figure out.

I, on the other hand, couldn’t help but look at the woman now standing next to her. Fidgeting with her fingers and her eyes constantly scanning the small coffee shop, she was timid and nervous. Her bottom lip trembled as she waited for Meredith. Then she pulled her eyes to Gabby and a flash of something akin to fear appeared before she dipped her chin in greeting.

“Gabby. Hello.”

Gabby lost the coolness she’d been trying to freeze Meredith with and her mask went neutral. “Courtney. I hope you’re well.”

She blinked rapidly. “I am, um. Yes, better, I think. Thank you.”

Gabby’s lips spread into something not quite a smile but understanding all the same.

“We should leave, Meredith,” Courtney said again.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I couldn’t stop remembering the things Jensen had said about her. Couldn’t stop thinking about the way he’d looked and wondering about the things he hadn’t said about her. This woman looked innocent and timid, a bit beaten and scared of her own shadow.

Meredith either didn’t notice, or she didn’t care. She turned, took her coffee from Courtney’s hand and gave Gabby and me one last look. “I suppose I’ll see you Saturday night.”

A weight slammed into my chest, forcing me back into my chair.

She put her back to us and walked away, not waiting for Courtney to catch up.

When they were gone, my head snapped to Gabby.

“Who in the heck was that?” My gut churned. I already knew the answer. At least for one of them.

“That, my new friend who won’t be more than a step away from me or Jensen or Dylan tomorrow night, was Meredith, the world’s biggest backstabbing bitch you’ll ever meet. And Courtney.”

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