Megan glanced down and to her left before lifting her head proudly. “How would you know, maybe I’m that funny.”
Matt shot her a hard look, “Wait, that’s it, isn’t it? Was she crying?” Of course, she was crying. That’s why the traffic lights and everything in front of her was blurry. That’s why it was “raining” in her dream.
“It’s none of your business,” Megan said quietly.
“Are you kidding? It’s no body’s businessbutmine,” he exploded.
Megan glanced at her watch. Typical.
“Let’s be honest Meg, you’ve never been the type toprotectanyone. Whatever you’re not telling me, it’s somethingyoudid.”
Megan glared at him with disbelief. “You said a crapload of things to upset her, no one’s attacking you,” she barked back.
Matt took a deep breath. “I’m sorry Megan, I not trying to attack you. I just want to know what happened.”
Megan’s expression turned dark and remorseful. But she was a businesswoman and never let her emotions out for too long. She lifted her head again. “Fine, I’ll tell you. But there’s a condition.”
Matt leaned in as if he didn’t hear correctly. “A condition?” Then held his hands up, giving in. He knew how Megan worked. She’d never give in unless she felt like she’d won somehow. Even though this was no win or lose matter. “Fine.”
“Ben’s been trying to reach you—”
“Out of the question—”
“Let me finish. I’m not asking you to call or even talk to Ben. But Francis is really upset that you’ve been ignoring her. I came here to ask you to come to the beach house this weekend, and bring Liz. We all want to see her.”
Matt chuckled, but he hated where this was going.
“Obviously, if Liz doesn’t feel comfortable, then you don’t have to come, but if she wants to, you can’t keep her from coming,” Megan paused. “We’re her family too.” She kept her gaze on him, undoubtedly to make sure he understood her terms.
Matt shut his eyes and rubbed his temples. “Okay.”
“I know I said I didn’t remember, but…I remember it as if it were moments ago.” She strolled around the space, twining her fingers. Her voice was casual, but he could hear the slightest shake in it. “I said something along the lines of ‘I told you so’, which Liz expected and made fun of, and although wewerein fact laughing to tears, I knew hers were…sad.”
Matt caught a glimpse of Megan’s sympathy and wanted to tell her never to feel sorry for his wife. But he withheld, reminding himself she needed to tell him what happened.
“That’s when I said it. Something stupid…I wasn’t even thinking…”
“Megan,” Matt pressed.
“I said I really hope Matt does forgive you, because I can’t imagine having this much fun with anyone else,” she blurted.
Matt frowned and glared at her.
“I mean I didn’t even think anything of it. It was a meaningless statement.” Megan added defensively. “It wasn’t until I saw the look on her face—the idea of you being with someone else—just downright plagued her.”
Meaningless statement that nearly killed his wife. The woman who had cared so deeply for him that she lost control and then her mind at the thought of losing him to someone else. Regardless of losing her parents in recent years, contact with her brother, and having to live with a mistake she made out of grief, Liz still managed to be a full spirited and bright person. Her heart, still wide open despite tragedy in her adult life. She managed to keep six and seven-year old’s happy and excited to learn every day. Yet one stupid comment from this woman and she’d nearly lost it all.
“Is that when she crashed?” His voice coarse.
“Not exactly. She started crying a fresh set of tears and asked me to call you guys—I guess to distract me from feeling sorry for her.”
He knew it. It was the blurred vision that made her crash. As much as he wanted to blame Megan for it, it wasn’t entirely her fault. Maybe not at all.
It was unquestionably his.
Megan glanced at Matt. No longer carrying the sameI’ll outsmart you any daylook on her face that she was when they were making their deal. Now she just looked defeated and remorseful.
Matt turned away from her and walked to his window. It was time for his end of the deal. And for Megan to leave. “Tell my mother we’ll be there on Saturday.”
