Page 56 of Falling for You Again

“Hell, no.”

Hands on his waist, he drops his head with a groan and peers at me through his lashes. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that. It was out of line, even for her.”

“It’s all right.”

“It’s not.” Aaron is visibly upset.

I touch his arm. “I’m fine. Okay, I’m a little flustered,” I amend when he looks at me like he isn’t sure he believes me. “Did you really leave work to check on me?”

“Of course. You’re my wife. We look out for each other. I ...” He stops.

“You what?”

He shakes his head.

His phone rattles and he reads the screen. He hesitates answering and glances between me and the device. “I ran out on a meeting.”

“Then you should get that. Or go, really. I’m okay.” I put on a smile, but he hedges. “We can talk tonight,” I reassure him.

Relief pours across his face. He even smiles a little. “Okay, we’ll talk. Again, I’m sorry about her.”

“Please don’t be. Go,” I push when his phone keeps rattling. He shouldn’t feel guilty. His mom is at fault, and she’s clearly a piece of work.

“Geoff, hey,” he answers, returning to his car. He glances back at me. “Hold one second.” He rushes over. Cupping my neck, he gives me a quick, hard kiss. Then another, this one soft as his lips linger on mine. “Thank you,” he whispers against my mouth.

“See you at home,” I whisper back.

Then he’s gone, leaving me standing on the sidewalk, my fingertips touching my lips. It isn’t until he pulls away from the curb that I realize he was wearing jeans and a T-shirt, not the suit he’d left the house in. Where had he come from, and where is he going? I stare after him until his car is swallowed in traffic. A passing bus honks at a jaywalker. I jump.

“Focus, Meli,” I order myself and head into the shop only to find it unusually quiet. Rather than whining saws and buzzing drills, I hearthe humming fridge in the kitchenette and the whirring of the overhead ceiling fans.

Kidder stands at the bin wall, organizing screws and nails.

“Where is everyone?” I ask him, making my way to the lockers.

“They’re having a meeting out back.” Kidder swings an arm at the metal door to the alley.

I don’t recall a meeting on the schedule. “Do you know what it’s about?”

“No, but whatever it is, Bear blew a gasket. Dean and Gemma took him out back to cool off.”

I glance warily at the door. If he just received notice from the Savant House that they’re retracting their offer, Kaye couldn’t have timed her appearance more brilliantly. Her warning about what could happen if I don’t sign the agreement has me wondering if the postnup is related to whatever is going on with my uncle.

“How long ago did they go out there?”

Kidder shrugs. “Five, ten minutes?” he guesses.

I toss my backpack into my locker and crack my knuckles. I’m nervous about how my family is reacting to the news. But I head for the alley anyway, determined to convince my uncle the Savant House retracting their acquisition offer is for the best and that I’m the best for Artisant Design’s continuation.

“I wouldn’t go out there if I were you.” Kidder looks genuinely concerned.

“I can handle them,” I say with a confidence that belies my nervousness and push open the door.

Uncle Bear, Dad, and Mom stand huddled over a sheet of paper. They’re speaking fervently in hushed tones, but their conversation abruptly stops when the door bangs shut behind me. Three heads turn in my direction, their faces drawn in a mix of disbelief, shock, and anger.

I’ve been anticipating this day and this conversation, but a prickling of unease unfurls inside my chest. “Kidder told me I’d find you guys out here. What’s going on?”

Dad takes a long draw on his cigarette and breaks from the huddle as if he wants no part of what’s about to go down. He stares at the stained asphalt under his boots. Mom cuts me a withering glare, not even trying to hide her displeasure. My shoulders curl as if I’m ten years old.

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