“There’s something else, isn’t there?” he asked gently.
She nodded and he waited for her to tell him. Finally, she took a deep breath.
“My father died because of the last fire Jake started.” She got only those words out before stopping and looking at him. He was shocked speechless and simply nodded for her to continue. “I was able to talk to him, at the hospital . . . before.”
He reached over and took her hand. She squeezed his in a silent thank you.
“He told me he knew what Jake had been doing. He covered it up because he didn’t want people to know his son was the one starting fires. Then he made me promise to look after him. And I’ve tried. Heaven knows, I’ve tried. I’m just . . .”
He stroked her hand with his thumb, afraid if he said anything, she’d stop, and from the way it sounded, she needed to tell someone what she’d been keeping inside all these years.
“What else could I do?” she asked. “I had to keep quiet. My father died a hero and if I’d told people what really happened, he won’t be seen as that.”
“And Ted decided to use your guilt as a way to get to me.” He hated the man even more. “I’m sorry, Meagan. Not only for not listening before, but for what your father did to you. That’s a lot to put on a teenage girl.”
She sniffled. “My mom didn’t even know. It feels so good to finally tell someone.”
He pulled her into his arms and whispered, “I promise from now on, you can tell me anything and I won’t judge you or hold it against you.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
He held her for several minutes, basking in the simple joy of having her in his arms again and how thankful he was he hadn’t lost her. When she pulled back, he reluctantly let her go.
She bit her lip and glanced out the window. “Is it bad that I still don’t want it public? I don’t want to tarnish his memory at the station. Not for something that happened so long ago.”
He’d always prided himself on being truthful. Honesty was the best policy and all that. But sitting next to Meagan, he questioned the usefulness of being completely honest in regard to this issue. So many lives had already been impacted by Jake’s actions and things were looking as if they would finally settle down. What would be the point in resurrecting it?
“No,” he finally said. “I don’t think it’s wrong.”
She let out a deep breath. “If you think I should pursue it, I will.”
“I think you should let it be. The only regret I have is that Jake didn’t tell you he’d confessed to Ted. If he had, maybe it wouldn’t have gone as far as it did. You would at least have known who you were dealing with. Maybe you could have stopped it earlier.”
“True. But like you said before”—she picked up the picture he’d held up to her earlier—“not only would we not have this picture, this book, but we wouldn’t have memories of the night this was taken.”
He allowed himself a smile. “That was an awesome night.”
“Right? The pizza in Central Park was divine.” She said it with a straight face, but she was laughing at him with her eyes.
“Woman, if the pizza was what you remember about that night, I may never take you on another picnic.”
Now she laughed for real. “Ah, the male ego. So fragile.”
“I should spank your ass for calling me fragile,” he said in a mock angry voice.
“Did I say fragile? I meant strong and fierce.”
He inched closer to her. “Strong and fierce, hmm?” He let his lips trail across her collarbone. “That’s more like it.”
“Point proven.”
He pulled back. “Tell me you didn’t just say that.”
But instead of denying it, she laughed.
“Now you’re going to get it,” he said.
“I’m trembling.”
“Not yet, you aren’t. But you will be when I finish with you.” He pulled back with a groan. “We shouldn’t do anything today. You’ve been through a lot, physically and emotionally.”
He could tell she wanted to protest, but she had to know he was right.
“I know you’re right and I’m glad you recognize I’m not in the place or mind frame to restart anything physical,” she said. “But, damn, I wish you weren’t.”
He leaned over and before his lips touched hers, he whispered a promise: “Soon.”
* * *
Soon turned out to be almost a week later. Unlike years before, though, this time he wasn’t silent. They talked on the phone every day, and each night before she went to sleep, he would text her dirty fantasies that had her yearning for when they would be together again.
The Saturday following the fiasco with Ted, Meagan pulled up to Luke’s house, surprised to see a car in the driveway. Was he having someone over? She tapped her foot as she waited for him to open the door, thankful she had changed her mind about showing up in only a raincoat.
“Meagan.” Luke dropped his head to give her a quick kiss. “How are you doing?”
“Good. Do you have company?”
“Nathaniel and Abby came over to discuss a few things concerning the new club.”
She lowered her voice to whisper, “Will they be leaving soon?”
He laughed and the low, seductive sound sent shivers down her spine. “I’ll ensure they do.”
“Excellent.”
He took her hand and led her into the living room, where they found Nathaniel standing and an animated Abby on the phone.
“I can’t get there anytime soon. I’m with Nathaniel at Luke’s place. We’re heading into the city to pick up the kids from his aunt and tomorrow we’re all seeing a play.” Abby glanced toward the door and a smile broke over her face when she saw Meagan. “Meagan just showed up. I’ll beg her to bring me.”