Chapter Two

One year earlier…

It had been just after the bouquet toss at the wedding and Derrick had stolen away. Meredith didn’t know where he’d gone and she hadn’t intended to find him, but she had when she’d climbed down the steep wooden steps to the dock beneath the Albrights’ expansive summer estate. Festivities were still taking place on the lawn with guests drinking and chatting, but the wedding couple had already said their good nights.

Meredith held the bridal bouquet, feeling foolish for having caught it in the first place. “Hey you.”

Derrick looked up when he heard her coming. He sat on the dock with his knees bent in front of him and gripped a mostly empty bottle of beer. “Meredith.”

Okay, so he clearly wasn’t happy to see her. “Sorry,” she said. “Didn’t know you were down here. I can go if you’d prefer?”

“Nah. It’s all right.” He motioned with his free hand. “There’s enough room for two.”

Meredith sat down on a step. She and Derrick hadn’t gotten off to the best start, what with their little fender bender that he blamed her for when it was absolutely his fault. He’d been difficult to be around all week and the tension between them had been unbearable. But still, when she’d watched him with his family, she’d seen a different guy. Someone who cared for others, maybe just not particularly her. She was a big girl, though, and she could take it. He’d probably make the right woman pretty happy one day. He had potential.

He tilted his beer bottle up toward the cliffs above them. “Had enough of the party?”

“For now.” She viewed him in the shadows, thinking he looked drawn and sad. “You?”

“Weddings aren’t my thing. Generally.” He shrugged. “This one was okay, though.”

“Yeah.” She sighed and gazed out at the darkened waters. They made her think of her soul at the moment and the guilt she carried over her role in this twisted-up wedding. She inhaled fully, telling herself not to stress any further. This day was done. The rest was up to the wedding couple to sort through and the bride had assured Meredith she would explain everything when the moment was right. Maybe that moment was even happening right now. Meredith let out a breath, allowing her anxiety to finally ease. She’d been carrying it all week long and it had been exhausting.

She glanced around at the scenery, finding it beautiful and calming. The moon was high and casting its glow across the bay. “It’s nice out here.”

“Can be.” He scanned her bouquet. “So, you’re the lucky lady?”

Meredith waved her flowers. “Some say.”

“Isn’t that supposed to mean you’ll marry next?”

“Silly superstition.”

“Yeah. Well. I wouldn’t know. Personally.”

“I don’t suspect you’ve been catching any bouquets,” she teased him.

He smiled but still seemed down. “I meant, there wasn’t any of that at my wedding.”

“No?”

“It was…different.”

“I’m sorry, Derrick,” she said. “Sorry things didn’t work out.”

“Yeah. Me, too.” After a few moments he met her eyes. “We were kids then. Immature. If we’d gotten together later? Who knows.”

Meredith’s heart ached for him because it seemed pretty clear to her that Derrick wasn’t 100 percent over his ex. “Ever think of trying again?” she asked gently.

“Me and Olivia? Don’t think so, but then, you’re the matchmaker, so you tell me.” He chuckled and finished his beer. “Speaking of, how about you? With your job, I bet you pinned down Mr. Perfect right away. Is he waiting for you back in Boston?”

There he went, poking her about her career again. Meredith heaved a breath. “There’s no Mr. Perfect, nor has there ever been. Yet.” She fiddled with the bouquet in her hands. “No one like Olivia was for you.”

“Shame.” He set his jaw. “Or maybe that’s better?”

“Hmm. Maybe so. And besides—matchmakers make the worst clients.”

The wind picked up, carrying the sound of laughter and tinkling glasses out over the water, and they both sat there a while and just listened.

After a bit, Meredith grew chilly and decided to turn in. Her bridesmaid dress was sleeveless and the night air was getting cool.

“I should probably head back now.” She stood with her bouquet.

The air grew heavy between them as the breeze rippled across the waves.

He got to his feet, too, leaving his empty beer bottle on the dock. He looked handsome in the moonlight with dark shadows cutting across his face. He still wore his best man clothes from the wedding, though he’d removed his tuxedo jacket and loosened his tie. He shoved his hands in his pants pockets and studied her.

Her senses tingled, like something was about to happen. Only she didn’t know what. She paused near the bottom step, feeling awkward and unsure when he walked toward her.

“Are you, uh, going up?”

He shook his head but his gaze lingered on hers.

“I think I’ll stay here another minute,” he said.

She nodded and started to go but he stopped her with a question.

“What time are you leaving tomorrow?”

“Early.” Her pulse quickened because he was standing so close.

And then, he took a step closer.

He cocked his chin. “So, I guess this is it then?”

“Guess so.”

He stared into her eyes in a way that made her heart pound and her face burn hot. And then when he stepped closer and cupped his hand to her cheek, she caught her breath.

“In a funny way,” he said. “I’m going to miss you.”

“Really?” She thought he hated her.

“Really.”

Then ooh…his thumb smoothed over her cheek and he moved closer. Her heart hammered. What was he doing? Her reason tugged with her emotions, and her heart reeled. She detected heat in his gaze. Desire, too. But no, he and she could never—

He dropped his hand. Something glimmered in his eyes, conflict, possibly regret. “Night, Mer.” This time when he used her nickname, it didn’t sound antagonistic. It was more…sad. “Pleasant dreams,” he said and turned away, looking out over the water.

She stood there, clutching her bouquet to her chest, wondering what in the world had just happened. When he didn’t say anything else, she took a shaky breath. “Pleasant dreams, Derrick.”

Her cheeks steamed as she scurried up the steps and then raced her way across the crowded lawn to the guest cottage, where she packed her bags preparing to leave Blue Hill.

That was the last she’d seen of Derrick Albright until today.