Until There Was Us

by Samantha Chase

  Dammit.

  “I’m trying not to,” she admitted. “But it’s only been a week, so—”

  “I get it,” he interrupted quickly. “And it’s going to take time until you feel settled in, but don’t be afraid to let people help you out.”

  Pulling her hand away, she gave him an irritated look. “I’m not afraid to ask people for help, Alex. I’m living here with my cousin because I didn’t want to stay at a hotel and I wanted to take some time to get to know the area. I ride to and from work every day with Summer because I wasn’t ready to commit to buying a car…I mean, how much more help am I supposed to ask for?”

  He held up his hands in defeat. “All right, all right, my mistake,” he said with a lopsided grin. “Sorry. I hate to think of you working crazy-long hours and still not getting settled because of that.”

  “Please, neither Zach nor Ethan will let me work the kind of hours I want to—and it has nothing to do with Summer being my ride. I’d be much further along in this whole transition and training at work if they’d let me do it at my own pace.”

  “Well, take it from someone who has worked with your cousin—he learned to not live his life at the office. After his accident, he really…well, he really reevaluated what he was doing with his life. And I think seeing Zach go through that helped Ethan too. From what the two of them have shared with me, they were both workaholics.”

  “It runs in the family. Trust me.”

  Reaching for her hand again, he gave it a gentle squeeze. “Just…promise me something,” he said softly.

  His thumb was caressing her knuckles, and it felt so good—almost hypnotic—that she would have promised him anything. “Okay…”

  “Promise me when you do get these things settled—the car, the apartment—you’ll let me take you out.”

  Who was she kidding? It was easily going to be a couple of weeks before that happened, and by then, she’d have her emotions a little more under control. There was no way she wasn’t going to go out with him. She knew that. She just needed to let all of these changes in her life settle in. She wasn’t like the rest of her family. Change didn’t come easily to her, and she took a lot longer to…process things.

  But the possibility of picking up where they’d left off was certainly enticing. She wanted to sigh at the thought. When was the last time she had even felt like that?

  Two years, to be exact.

  Yup. She hadn’t dated anyone since. Hadn’t slept with anyone since. So agreeing to go out with Alex again? Um, yeah. That was a no-brainer.

  She nodded. “I’d like that very much.”

  His smile grew. “Great,” he said softly. “C’mon. We should get over there or everyone will be wondering what’s taking so long to move a couple of shopping bags.”

  Megan laughed and then looked at the bags. “A couple? I think Summer and Gabriella knew exactly how long it was going to take to move them.” Then she let out a small sigh. “Just the thought of going through all of them and hanging the clothes up has me exhausted.”

  “You could always wait until tomorrow. Or better yet, wait until you move.”

  The idea had merit, but she shook her head. “Somehow I don’t think I’m going to be moving that fast, and that’s a lot of bags to find a space for.”

  He nodded, and they walked across the yard and into the house to join everyone. Alex went to sit with Zach and Ethan while she went to the table where Gabriella and Summer were softly chatting. They both looked up at her with curious expressions.

  “What?”

  “That took…a while,” Summer said.

  Megan rolled her eyes. “There were a lot of bags.” With a careless shrug, she sat. “So…what are we talking about?”

  “Dessert,” Summer replied.

  “Didn’t we just finish eating?”

  They both nodded. “The baby’s craving cake,” Gabriella said. “Something gooey and chocolaty and…cakey.”

  “That’s not a word, is it?” Megan asked with amusement. “I’m telling you, I wish I had a legit excuse to eat chocolate cake. As it is, I indulge way too often and then have to deal with the guilt.”

  “It doesn’t show,” Summer commented. “That black dress fit you like a second skin, and you have the curves to pull it off.”

  Megan didn’t want to think about it. Not when they were talking about cake. For something like what Gabriella was describing, the last thing she wanted to think about was fitting into a slinky little dress. Looking around the kitchen, she couldn’t remember seeing any kind of cake. “Do we have anything cakey here? Did the guys bring something with them?”

  “Oh, hell no,” Gabriella said with a laugh. “We’re going to have to send them to the store. All the bakeries are probably closed, but the local grocery store has a fantastic bakery department.”

  Megan knew she’d have to get used to the food and the culture. Back home she knew of every late-night bakery and where to get whatever she wanted to eat when she wanted to eat it. In time, she knew she’d feel the same way about Portland, but right now she wished she could be the one to get in a car and go get dessert.

  Wait…why couldn’t she?

  “You know, if I can borrow a car, I can program the address into my phone and pick up dessert,” Megan suggested. “That way the guys don’t have to miss any of the game and we get to have a great dessert, and…honestly…I miss being able to drive. What do you think?”

  Five minutes later, Megan had the keys in her hands and a smile on her face as she made her way out to the car.

  * * *

  Alex walked into the kitchen to grab something to drink and noticed Megan wasn’t there.

  “Where’d Megan go?” he asked casually, and Summer explained how Megan had offered to pick up dessert.

  Well, damn.

  With a nod, he turned to go to the den but then decided to ask a question or two.

  “So how come she hasn’t borrowed one of your cars to use regularly?” he asked Summer. “She mentioned earlier how she rides with you.”

  “Ethan and I don’t keep a spare car,” Summer said.

  “And we got rid of our spare car,” Gabriella added. “The Porsche wasn’t practical with the baby coming, so we sold it. Now I’ve got the SUV, and Zach has the Lexus, so…”

  He nodded again. “What about a place to live? Have you set up an appointment with a real estate agent yet for her?”

  “I didn’t want to overstep my bounds,” Gabriella said with a grin. “It was more important for Megan to get here and start working. I don’t think anyone’s in any rush for her to move, but I know she’s used to being on her own and doesn’t want to impose. All we’re doing is following her lead.”

  “Whose lead?” Zach asked as he walked into the room. Gabriella recapped the discussion, and now Alex felt silly for bringing it up. Zach looked at him as he pulled a bottle of beer from the refrigerator. “Believe me, I’m sure she’s champing at the bit to find a car and a place, but Megan doesn’t cut herself any slack. I suggested she take a day or two off so she can do the things she needs to do, but she doesn’t want to do it. Personally, I have no idea how she’s going to do any of it while working a full day all week long. I mean, she has the weekends, but I have a feeling she’s going to make herself crazy on this.”

  “She’s a typical Montgomery,” Summer commented. “Although she does favor the men in this family with her obsession with work.”

  “Surely she’s got to have some hobbies,” Gabriella commented and then looked from Summer to Zach and back again.

  “Not that I know of,” Summer replied. “She hasn’t mentioned anything.”

  “What has she been doing with her free time?” Looking at Zach, she continued, “You’re not letting her work late, so what does she do when she goes home?”

  “Why are you looking at me?” he as
ked with a small laugh. “I’m here with you. I have no idea what she does after work.”

  “She eats dinner with us, but afterward she heads back to the guesthouse. I guess I just figured she’d be watching TV or something.”

  Alex zoned out of the conversation going on around him, a million thoughts racing through his brain as to how he might be able to help. The decision was not completely selfless; he knew by volunteering, he’d also be able to spend some time with her. Time he knew she’d put off until all the conditions were right.

  And by right, he meant that not only would she need to be moved and settled into a new place, but it would have to be fully furnished and decorated and her new car would need to have several thousand miles on it.

  Yeah. He hadn’t pushed her earlier when they had talked, but he remembered some of their conversations from two years ago after she went back to Albany. She’d admitted to him back then that she worked too much, socialized too little, and wasn’t big on dating. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that if something or someone didn’t intervene, she’d put herself into that same pattern of behavior here in Portland.

  And that’s what he wanted to avoid. And not just for himself. For the three months after Zach and Gabriella’s wedding when they had stayed in touch, Alex could hear the sadness in Megan’s voice. The discontent. It was at such odds with the woman he first met and had spent an entire sexy weekend with. Even now when he thought about it, it made him hard.

  Holding her close at the wedding while they danced…

  Kissing her under the twinkly lights in the garden…

  Barely making it through the hotel room door before clothes started flying…

  “Alex?” Zach said, and Alex had a feeling it wasn’t the first time he’d said his name.

  “What? Um…sorry. My mind wandered for a minute.”

  “I was asking if you knew of any decent places to rent,” Zach said. “The complex where Summer lived when she first moved here is good, and so is the place where Gabriella used to live. I think either place would be fine for Megan if they have any vacancies, but they were both a bit larger than she seems to want.”

  Summer made a tsking sound. “Why she only wants a studio apartment is beyond me. I like having space to move around. I don’t think I’d be able to live in an all-in-one type of place.”

  “I thought she was more interested in getting a car first,” Ethan commented as he walked into the room. “Don’t you think it’s a bit much for her to be doing it all at the same time? I mean, financially—”

  “It’s not like she’s strapped for cash,” Summer argued lightly. “I mean, let’s be honest. She’s probably the only Montgomery who doesn’t use the name to her advantage.”

  “So what are we supposed to do?” Ethan asked. “Do we take her car shopping?”

  “It’s too bad we got rid of the Porsche,” Zach said.

  “No,” Gabriella replied, shaking her head. “Megan would not have been comfortable driving it. She’s more sensible than that.”

  “So what does that mean?” Alex asked. “A sedan?”

  There was a round of “Oh yes” and “Definitely.”

  Everyone seemed to be talking at once, and Alex realized he had opened a hornet’s nest and felt bad about it.

  Alex thought about the car sitting in his garage. He normally drove a pickup truck, but he had a second car—a Nissan Maxima—that he used when he went on dates and didn’t feel like being in the truck. It was three years old, and he hadn’t driven it in a while, so maybe…

  “You know,” he began cautiously, “I have a spare car I’m not using. I’m not saying I’m looking to sell it or anything, but maybe Megan could use it for a while until she gets a little more settled. That way she has the freedom to come and go as she wants, and…I don’t know…she can concentrate on finding a place of her own.”

  When no one commented on his offer, Alex figured it was a ridiculous idea. After all, it wasn’t as if any of the Montgomerys were hurting for money. There was no reason Megan couldn’t go out and buy a car. He was only throwing an option out there to be helpful.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zach take a pull of his beer, his eyes never leaving Alex, but it was Alex who swallowed hard.

  “That’s not a bad idea,” Summer said. “You could take her home with you tonight to pick it up.”

  And still Zach didn’t say a word.

  And neither did anyone else.

  After a long, awkward moment, Alex spoke. “Look, the offer is out there, but I’ll leave it up to you guys whether you want to say anything to Megan. My feelings aren’t going to be hurt either way.” He held up his hands and turned toward the den. “I think the game’s about to start up.”

  He hadn’t gone more than three steps when the front door opened and Megan walked in. She looked happy and carefree and relaxed with a big smile on her face as she breezed into the kitchen.

  “That felt great!” she said. “I know it’s crazy, but I’ve missed driving! I didn’t realize how much until I pulled out of the driveway. And I got us several dessert options.” Placing three bags on the kitchen table, she reached into the first one and handed a box to Gabriella. “Chocolate truffle cake. It was the chocolatiest thing I could find.”

  Gabriella let out a happy little squeal of delight.

  Reaching into the second bag, she turned toward Zach. “Apple pie,” she said. “I seem to remember it being one of your favorites, and—” She pulled out a half gallon of vanilla ice cream. “Just in case you wanted it à la mode.”

  Smiling, Zach stepped forward and placed a kiss on her forehead. “It’s official. You are my favorite cousin.”

  “Like there was any doubt,” she teased. Finally, she reached into the third bag and pulled out a package of Double Stuf Oreos, which she hugged to her chest. “Sorry, this one is primarily for me. These are my favorite. But I might consider sharing.”

  Alex remembered her Oreo obsession. They’d talked about it on more than one occasion, and the last time they’d been together, they had grabbed a package and ate them in bed. He caught her eye and knew the exact moment she remembered it too.

  Turning away, Alex looked toward the den and caught a glimpse of the TV; sure enough, the game was on. He figured he’d saunter away and let everyone talk without him being there, but first Gabriella asked if he wanted coffee, then Summer asked which option he wanted for dessert, and Ethan questioned whether they could sample all the desserts.

  And Zach continued to watch him.

  Figuring dessert was the best diversion, Alex suggested they let the girls take their share of the sweets first and they’d come back and get theirs after checking the score. Ethan agreed, and they walked to the den.

  Zach followed.

  Here it comes…

  “Were you serious about your offer?” Zach asked, his voice low.

  “Of course I was. Why wouldn’t I be?”

  Zach shrugged. “It seems like you’re being awfully accommodating where my cousin is concerned all of a sudden.”

  Alex swallowed hard. “Look, Zach, that’s who I am. I see a problem, I try to fix it. The way I see it is as a friend helping a friend.”

  “You don’t even know Megan.”

  “I know you, and I know your family,” he countered. “And it’s just a car.”

  “I know, and…sorry I got weird there for a minute.”

  “It’s fine. Really,” Alex assured him. “We’re cool.”

  And with that covered, they turned to the television to check the score. When the game went to a commercial, Ethan grinned at them. “We can have dessert now, right? That was enough time for the girls to claim their dessert choices, right?”

  Laughing, the three of them walked into the kitchen, where the girls were giggling over something. Alex helped himself to a slice of pie, a s
coop of ice cream, and a stack of Oreos. He winked at Megan as he walked away.

  “Wait!” Summer called after him. “You need to come here for a minute!”

  Turning, Alex walked to the table as he put a whole Oreo in his mouth.

  “You need to tell Megan about your offer!”

  Megan’s eyes went wide when she looked at him, but she didn’t say a word.

  He forced himself to swallow the cookie without choking. Looking over at Zach, he tried to convey his need for help. Luckily, Zach took the hint.

  “Megan, we were talking while you were out, and Alex mentioned he has a car you can use.”

  “But…I’m planning on buying one.”

  Zach crouched beside her. “I know, but maybe you can use his for a little while so you don’t have to deal with car shopping right now. It would be a temporary thing, and it would take some of the pressure off you.”

  She looked over at Alex and smiled. “Wow…thanks. If you’re sure it’s not going to inconvenience you—”

  Alex quickly explained his situation with his vehicles. “It’s just sitting, so it would be a good thing for someone to be driving it.”

  Her smile grew. “If you’re sure, then…yes! Thank you!” She breathed a sigh of relief. “One less thing on my plate! Now I’ll be able to go out apartment hunting without bothering anyone!”

  Both Gabriella and Summer cleared their throats.

  “What? What was that about?”

  “There’s no rush,” Zach quickly replied. “The car seemed like a quick and easy fix right now.”

  “Oh. Okay,” she said hesitantly before looking over at Alex. “So do you want to drop the car off here one night this week, or maybe Summer and I can swing by on our way home after work sometime, or…”

  “Um…Alex?” Summer said with a grin.

  He knew what Summer was getting at, and as much as he wanted to ask Megan, he was afraid she would take it the wrong way.

  So he hesitated.