Dare to Hold (Dare to Love 4)

Meg tried to ignore the pang of envy at how easy it seemed for Olivia. The man who loved her, the money to do what she needed for her child. The grass always looked greener, but it wasn’t necessarily the case. Although for Olivia and Dylan, Meg truly hoped it was. They deserved every bit of happiness.

So do you, a little voice in her head told her, but she pushed it aside. What you deserved and what life threw at you were often vastly different. “I’m just about to eat lunch. Can I call you back?” Meg asked.

“Sure. But I’ll see you tonight?” Olivia asked.

“What’s tonight?”

An awkward silence followed, and then Olivia said, “My mom asked all the kids to come for dinner. I just thought… Never mind. Call me later.” Olivia rushed off the phone, and Meg didn’t blame her.

She turned and caught sight of Scott standing in the doorway, watching her. “You scared me!”

“Sorry. I didn’t want to interrupt your call.”

“No problem. I was just going to get you anyway. Lunch is ready.”

“Thank you. Looks good. And I appreciate it.”

“It’s fine.”

He stepped into the kitchen. “Listen, my mother called a few minutes ago. She wants us all at the house for dinner tonight at six. She has an announcement of some sort.”

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“That’s fine. I can keep busy here.” She stepped over to one of the cabinets and pulled out glasses.

“Actually, I was hoping you’d come with me.”

She met his serious gaze. “It sounds like it’s a family thing.” Not only didn’t she belong there, she didn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea of what was going on between her and Scott.

“My mom’s been with this guy, Michael Brooks, for a few years. I just have an uneasy feeling. I don’t know what she has to say, and I’d like you there when I hear it,” he said, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “Her boyfriend’s a decent guy, but it’ll be weird to hear if she’s going to remarry. She’s been through enough.”

“You think marrying him would be bad for her?” Meg asked, wondering if this was more of Scott’s negative views on family and marriage or if he had a legitimate issue with his mother’s boyfriend.

He rolled his shoulders, obviously uncomfortable with the question. “Probably not. It’s still just weird having another guy with my mother,” he said. “I hate what my father did to her but…”

Taking her by surprise, he slid his fingers into hers, clasping them tightly together. “Like I said, it’s awkward, and I’d really like you with me.”

Her heart swelled, her throat feeling full at his admission. It was the admission of the young boy inside him, not the man he was now, and she was touched he’d let her in. He’d done so much for her. How could she be selfish and fight him on this?

Even if meeting his mother and the rest of his family felt too intimate and a lot awkward for her, she could put her own feelings aside and be there for him for a change.

“Okay,” she said softly. “I’ll come with you.”

“Thank you.” The look he gave her was enough to send her running far and fast, but she was in this.

Until he no longer was.

* * *

Meg’s heart was in her throat as Scott pulled up to his mother’s house in Weston and parked the truck. It was an imposing yet gorgeous structure with tropical shrubbery, a circular driveway, and acreage, which was unusual in Florida. A variety of luxury cars filled the drive, letting her know that many of his siblings had already arrived.

“Relax.” He placed his hand over hers, which were entwined together, as she’d been twisting them nervously in her lap.

“I really don’t belong here.”

“Hey,” he said, his voice strong and sure. Calming even. “I want you here. That means you belong.”

She knew that in her head, but her heart was beating way too fast inside her chest.