Page 32 of Meant To Be

I jumped when there was a sharp knock on my door. I turned around and stared at the door from where I stood by the kitchen counter. There was another knock, and I practically felt the echo of it in my heart. I strolled over to the door. Farrah and Cooper were out to dinner tonight, so I didn’t think it was Farrah. I already loved living across the hall from someone friendly and having a neighbor who checked on me.

Maybe it was Janet, my landlady. I opened the door, and my heart about beat its way out of my chest when I saw Dylan standing there. I literally jumped, my palm flying to my chest.

“Oh! What are you doing here?” I yelped.

Dylan stood there, his gaze locked with mine. “I missed you, so I changed my flight.”

“But you’re early,” I said pointlessly.

“I am. Can I come in?”

Before I could think it through, my body decided for me. I stepped back and pulled the door open for him to walk through. After he came in, he stood just inside the door.

“How did you know where my apartment was?” I asked slowly, lacing my hands together and rubbing my thumb on the inside of my other palm, a nervous habit.

“I had to do a little reconnaissance. I got ahold of Rowan, who told me where you were staying. I also found out that apparently, half my new crew thinks I’m an asshole because I screwed around on you.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t. I love you. And maybe showing up early isn’t much of a gesture, but I’ll make one every day until you believe me.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

PIPER

My heart felt like hands clapping in my chest as I stared up at Dylan. I couldn’t even grasp how this had happened. I had fallen in love with him.

While my emotions felt like a train racing at full speed, I knew him. I’d known him for years. All we needed was the intensity of that weekend with a snowstorm and being stranded together to forget about the barriers between us.

I scrambled, trying to find something to cling to, something to keep me sane.

“I can’t believe you told Wade,” I said.

There was a glint in Dylan’s eyes, and his lips teased with a smile. “I had to. He’s the one who gave you the wrong idea.”

I took a slow breath. “I know. How did he react?”

“He was pissed. He threatened me bodily harm if I hurt you in any way. So did Dani.” Dylan shrugged, not even the least bit bothered about that.

I had to bite the inside of my cheeks to keep from laughing. “Ha! I’d be more afraid of Dani than Wade. Oh, for sure, he could hit you harder, just based on physics. But she would twist the knife.”

Dylan chuckled. “I don’t doubt she would.” His gaze sobered as he studied me. “How are you?”

I took a shaky breath. “Better.”

He stepped a little closer, his hand sliding along the counter to hook his pinky into mine. “Yeah?”

My chest was tight with my heartbeat pounding so hard I could barely hear over the rush of it. My body felt as if it were racing, hurtling down a hill. I couldn’t slow the momentum. I was along for the ride.

“I’m better, but I was really hurt,” I finally said, deciding to be direct. “Everything felt really fresh for us, and it all took me off guard.”

His eyes held mine, never once looking away. “I know.”

My throat ached, and I tried to swallow. Tears pricked the backs of my eyes, and I prayed I wouldn’t burst into a messy bout of crying. Emotion rose swiftly, jamming up in my chest. I blinked, and tears splashed onto my cheeks.

Dylan’s eyes widened in alarm. He stepped closer. “Hey, hey,” he soothed in a gruff tone. “Please don’t cry, Piper.”

I blinked rapidly, wiping the tears away from beneath my eyes with my fingertips as I took another shaky breath. “I guess I’m feeling my way through this,” I managed with a sniffle.

“I think we both are.” He paused, his gaze somber. “Are you willing to try? With me?”

I nodded, tucking my head into the curve of his shoulder as he pulled me into his arms. He wrapped me in his strong, protective embrace and simply held me for a few minutes. I needed it. I needed to breathe him in, to feel his presence again. I started to settle inside, and I finally lifted my head.

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