started her computer, the screen buzzing to life to display the lush, tropical screen saver . The bell rang unexpectedly, shattering the pleasant silence . Startled , she looked up, wondering who it could be. It was late , and there was no way in hell it could be Jenna . Ever since hooking up with Eric , Jenna had definitely given up any work after seven p.m. H er evenings were generally filled with their dates.
For a second , Meg was tempted to just ignore it and wait out whoever was trying to reach her. After all, maybe it was just a prank, some of those teenage kids riding their skateboards up and down the street. On the way to the shop, s he had passed a whole bunch of them , still hanging out around the little late - hour milkshake place just around the corner. They must have noticed her bike parked just outside the store and figured they might just as well taunt the solitary woman .
The bell r a ng again , and she sighed, rising to her feet and walking over to the glass door. She felt quite safe doing so . T he break- proof glass and alarm settings made it impossible for anyone to get in if she didn’t want them to . The man on the other side of the door was tall and dark in his black t-shirt and jeans . H is hair and face pale were circles of light in the all - encompassing darkness. The brightness of the light hanging over the door cast metallic sparks in his reddish hair. She hurried to open the door with hands eager.
‘ Matt , what happened?’ she asked breathlessly, fear tugging at her heart. Is it something unexpected with Ry ? It couldn’t be , because they would have called right away .
‘I just needed to talk to someone, Meg . ’ H e looked at her with those blue eyes, so much like Ry an ’s and yet so different. They held a bit of grey , the color of a stormy summer sky, calm and dangerous at the same time. ‘ Is it ok ay if I come in for a moment?’
‘ Sure thing . ’ She moved aside to let him in . H is jean - clad legs brush ed against her in the narrow entrance.
‘What’s going on?’ she asked again, aware of the completely inappropriate tingle of awareness as they touched. Thank goodness he seemed to be oblivious to her embarrassment as he walked in to the main room.
‘I really like it here . ’ He turned to face her, his face slightly more relaxed. ‘ It’s calm and peaceful, just the way I like it.’
‘ Me too, but don’t let my partner hear you, she ’ d pull your head right off .’ S he grinned, leading him to the back room that served as a more intimate setting where customers could sit down and go through the options for their arrangements.
‘I guess this will have to do . ’ She smiled, gesturing to corner where the simple white sofa was placed along with two matching armchairs and a glass coffee table holding books and catalogues for the customers. She thought fondly of how many happy couples had already sat there, picking their wedding arrangements and agonizing over the details.
‘ How did you know I’d be here?’
H e sat down, stretching out his long legs in front of him. His black clothes contrasted dramatically with the plain white furniture, giving it an almost futuristic flair. He smiled and watched her bustle around, bringing over a tray with crackers and two bottles of mineral water.
She saw his raised eyebrows and explained wryly, her voice teasing , ‘Well, we don’t drink at work, if that’s what you’re getting at, sir. So you’ll be extremely disappointed if alcohol was what you came for… ’
‘That’s fine, really . ’ He bent forward , grabbed a cracker , and nibb led on it . His eyes were pensive.
‘I called your parents’ house . ’ He watched her reaction. ‘ Your mom wasn’t particularly pleased with me asking for you. Still, she seemed happy enough to hear from me how great Ry was doing and what a riot you were at the party .’
‘ Cheater . ’ She grinned again, feeling much better now that he was here. Maybe this was
For a second , Meg was tempted to just ignore it and wait out whoever was trying to reach her. After all, maybe it was just a prank, some of those teenage kids riding their skateboards up and down the street. On the way to the shop, s he had passed a whole bunch of them , still hanging out around the little late - hour milkshake place just around the corner. They must have noticed her bike parked just outside the store and figured they might just as well taunt the solitary woman .
The bell r a ng again , and she sighed, rising to her feet and walking over to the glass door. She felt quite safe doing so . T he break- proof glass and alarm settings made it impossible for anyone to get in if she didn’t want them to . The man on the other side of the door was tall and dark in his black t-shirt and jeans . H is hair and face pale were circles of light in the all - encompassing darkness. The brightness of the light hanging over the door cast metallic sparks in his reddish hair. She hurried to open the door with hands eager.
‘ Matt , what happened?’ she asked breathlessly, fear tugging at her heart. Is it something unexpected with Ry ? It couldn’t be , because they would have called right away .
‘I just needed to talk to someone, Meg . ’ H e looked at her with those blue eyes, so much like Ry an ’s and yet so different. They held a bit of grey , the color of a stormy summer sky, calm and dangerous at the same time. ‘ Is it ok ay if I come in for a moment?’
‘ Sure thing . ’ She moved aside to let him in . H is jean - clad legs brush ed against her in the narrow entrance.
‘What’s going on?’ she asked again, aware of the completely inappropriate tingle of awareness as they touched. Thank goodness he seemed to be oblivious to her embarrassment as he walked in to the main room.
‘I really like it here . ’ He turned to face her, his face slightly more relaxed. ‘ It’s calm and peaceful, just the way I like it.’
‘ Me too, but don’t let my partner hear you, she ’ d pull your head right off .’ S he grinned, leading him to the back room that served as a more intimate setting where customers could sit down and go through the options for their arrangements.
‘I guess this will have to do . ’ She smiled, gesturing to corner where the simple white sofa was placed along with two matching armchairs and a glass coffee table holding books and catalogues for the customers. She thought fondly of how many happy couples had already sat there, picking their wedding arrangements and agonizing over the details.
‘ How did you know I’d be here?’
H e sat down, stretching out his long legs in front of him. His black clothes contrasted dramatically with the plain white furniture, giving it an almost futuristic flair. He smiled and watched her bustle around, bringing over a tray with crackers and two bottles of mineral water.
She saw his raised eyebrows and explained wryly, her voice teasing , ‘Well, we don’t drink at work, if that’s what you’re getting at, sir. So you’ll be extremely disappointed if alcohol was what you came for… ’
‘That’s fine, really . ’ He bent forward , grabbed a cracker , and nibb led on it . His eyes were pensive.
‘I called your parents’ house . ’ He watched her reaction. ‘ Your mom wasn’t particularly pleased with me asking for you. Still, she seemed happy enough to hear from me how great Ry was doing and what a riot you were at the party .’
‘ Cheater . ’ She grinned again, feeling much better now that he was here. Maybe this was
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