Chapter Eighteen

Meredith woke up feeling totally grossed out from her sugar coma. How much ice cream had she eaten?

Oh yeah.

She pulled the covers over her head.

All of it.

“Good morning,” Derrick said from the kitchen and sounding awake. Unlike her. Ugh. “Coffee?”

Meredith lowered the blankets and rubbed her eyes. “Coffee sounds good, thanks.”

“How’d you sleep?” he asked. Naturally, he was in a good mood. He was taking Olivia out for ice cream. No. Scratch that. Frozen blueberry yogurt. Only low-fat and healthy would do. Which had totally been her idea. Yay. She should be so proud of herself.

Only she wasn’t.

Meredith propped herself up on her elbows. “Okay, and you?”

“Slept like a baby.” Sunlight flooded the kitchen behind him as he carried over a coffee mug and set it down on the table beside her. She nodded in thanks.

“Yeah, so I heard.”

His forehead rose, then fell. “Oh no, was I snoring?”

She pinched her thumb and forefinger together. “Just a smidge.”

He winced. “Sorry. Olivia used to say I snored like a bear.”

“Huh.”

He shook his head. “That’s how she got her nickname for me: Cuddly Bear.”

Ick. A big tough guy like him called Cuddly Bear? No. She couldn’t see it. Imagining Olivia saying it was even worse. Cuddly Bear, coo-coo-coo. Baby talk. Ick. Ick. Ick.

“And she was Sweet Pea, how cute.” Meredith hated that her tone dripped with sarcasm. Why should she care?

Derrick seemed to be wondering that, too. He set his hands on his hips. “Is something wrong?”

Meredith sipped from her coffee, which was nice and strong. Good. She needed a swift kick this morning. Like, in the brain. Did I really eat all that ice cream? Whyyyy????

“Nope, not really,” she answered him. “I was just thinking of nicknames, and the one you call me.”

“Oh yeah?” He sat down beside her in a chair as she propped herself up in the sofa bed.

“Yeah. And I’ve decided I should call you one, too.”

“Have at it,” he said, not looking the least bit afraid.

She took a sip of coffee. “What do you think of Der?”

“Der?” he asked. “As in, you dare me not to call you Mer again?”

“That’s right.”

His eyes danced. “Fine by me.”

Wait? Fine?

“Sounds kind of daring. Rugged. Dangerous.” He set his elbows on his knees and stared at her, holding his chin in his hands.

“You are so not…” She caught a whiff of his cologne and lost her bearings. He’d dressed in jeans and a maroon polo shirt, and his hair was still damp from his shower. Olivia probably couldn’t wait to get her hands on that hair and run her fingers through it. “Da…dangerous,” she finished, recalling where she was.

His lips twitched. “At least we’ve established that part.” He stood and glanced at the door. “I’m going to go and work on the cradle for a bit. It’s nearly done.”

“That’s great.” Her voice was kind of a growl. So she took another sip of coffee, hoping he hadn’t noticed. Wasn’t his fault that his world was all glowingly perfect right now. She could take a lot of the credit for that.

And she would, if it didn’t make her sick to her stomach.

Like all that ice cream. She’d probably never eat that flavor again.

Derrick strolled into the kitchen and took the lid off the standing trash can. “I’ll take out the trash when I go.”

Meredith’s breath seized in her lungs. Her empty ice cream containers were in there, even though she’d tried to bury them below some other stuff. “No! Wait!”

He stared at her puzzled. “Wait? What?”

“I’ll do it!” She tossed back her covers and stomped into the kitchen wearing her baggy sleep jersey. It came down to her thighs so pretty much covered everything it needed to. Although, she’d have to be careful bending forward to cinch the ties on the waste bag. She wasn’t exactly wearing her best underwear.

Derrick rubbed his chin. “You can’t possibly go out there like that.”

“Why not? We’re in the middle of nowhere.” She peered out the window. “Has the press come back?”

“No.” He chuckled. “It’s just that you’re barefoot and all. Not even dressed, and it’s chilly out.”

“I feel it’s important for me to do my part,” she told him. “You can’t do everything.”

He stepped in front of her. “And neither can you, dressed in your nightie.”

“It’s a football jersey, Derrick. Not lingerie.”

“From the New England Patriots,” Derrick went on. “Did you date that guy?”

“The player?” Yes, but she barely thought of it as Jack’s old jersey anymore. He’d given it to her so long ago. “Would it be shocking if I had?”

“No,” he said, but his ears reddened. “Not at all. Your personal life is personal.”

“Exactly. Glad we’re on the same page.” She squared her shoulders and approached the trash bin.

“I’ll get that,” he said, turning away.

“No, me!”

She darted around him nearly knocking him over and yanked the bag out of the container, cinching its ties. He goggled at the bag and her face burned hot.

“Hang on.” His eyebrows knitted together. “Are those ice cream cartons in there?”

Meredith stared in horror at the bulging outlines of two containers, clearly visible through the thin plastic of the opaque bag.

“Oh wow! You’re right.” She gazed at him big-eyed. “I guess they are.” She hoisted up the bag and scuttled toward the door. “I’ll just—”

He took two long strides and suddenly they were face-to-face with him blocking her escape. His fingers clenched around the top of the bag and her heart hammered. He grinned. “Please,” he said with mock formality. “Allow me.”

Meredith held her breath, looking up at him, and he stared right down at her. Knowing she’d eaten every ounce of that yummy ice cream all by herself. He leaned closer and she felt the heat of his breath on her lips. Which made her all lightheaded and caused her pulse to pound in a wicked rhythm.

“I’m sorry you didn’t get enough to eat last night.”

“I, um…” She licked her lips. “Did.”

“Eventually, it seems,” he said in a cocksure way. Then he took that traitorous trash bag and walked out the door.

She wanted to sink into the floor and die of humiliation, but she didn’t have time. Her cell rang first. She expected Clarita but it was Beth.

“Good news!” Beth said. “I just spoke with Jerry and he says the network execs he’s talked to are very impressed with your numbers. Viewership from your last show broke a record! Even higher than when you were on Talk Time with Tanya.”

“Wow.” Meredith sat at the kitchen table. “That’s better than I hoped.”

“This whole Derrick thing is majorly working for you,” Beth said. “Other stations have started calling about syndication. From out of state! And of course Maine is right at the top of the list.” She squealed and Meredith couldn’t help but squeal along with her.

“Everyone says you must know what you’re doing. Even if you and he are private and don’t want to talk about it.”

“Thanks for shutting down the press.”

“Helps to have friends in high places.” Meaning, Jerry’s second cousin once removed, who worked for the local area county commissioner’s Office of Media Affairs. While Jerry’s cousin couldn’t exactly prohibit news coverage of a resident’s story, he could discourage inflaming a tale he had on good authority would be debunked soon.

“Yeah, appreciate it!” Meredith noticed her coffee mug was empty and stood to refill it. “And anyway, it looks like that small bit of attention is paying big benefits.”

“There’s going to be a huge outpouring of sympathy for you when Derrick Albright breaks your heart.”

Meredith’s chest clenched uncomfortably. “Yeah. Maine sure as heck won’t be interested then.”

“Meh. We’ll be fine without them. Everyone will be so impressed when you step aside for true love,” Beth went on. “Genius move. I’m in awe of your talent. Really I am.”

“Who wouldn’t support the gorgeous pair?” Meredith said out loud. But deep down in her soul she grumbled. Cuddly Bear and Sweet Pea are so ideally suited for each other. Derrick will probably even build a brand new cradle for each and every one of their exceedingly beautiful babies. Ugh. It was too much, imagining their perfect family, so she stopped.

Meredith lifted her coffee mug in a toast with an imaginary friend, recalling her reasons for being here. “Here’s to a sweet, sweet syndication deal!”

“Or something even better,” Beth said. “Jerry scheduled a Friday morning meeting with some people from QuikPix.”

“What?” Meredith grinned. “The streaming service? You’re kidding me?”

“No. Totally serious. Think about it, Meredith! This could be even better than syndication. Viewers could binge watch Matched Up.”

“Maybe I’ll get both?” Meredith said with a hopeful edge.

“That would be a-ma-zing,” Beth sang.

Meredith’s head swam with the possibilities, all of which involved dollar signs. Derrick could keep his cozy little cabin in the woods and populate it with all the red-headed Olivia offspring he wanted. Meredith had bigger things in mind. Large, expensive, glamorous things.

Like a standalone house with a swimming pool out on the Cape somewhere. She wouldn’t be lonely. She’d make lots of celebrity friends, maybe even marry a movie star. One bright enough to outshine Derrick and Olivia’s couple-y supernova.

“I’m so proud of you, Meredith,” Beth said. “You’re really going places.”

“Wherever I go,” she told her, “you’re coming with me.”

At least then she’d have one true friend to ask to dinner.

…

“Thanks for coming to pick me up,” Olivia said. “That was really sweet.” She batted her big green eyes and Derrick waited to be swept away by them. Then he waited a moment longer. He finally gave up and started his ignition. He was probably just out of practice.

“I’d nearly forgotten how beautiful Blue Hill is,” Olivia commented as they drove along.

“You’ve got some great vistas over at Acadia.”

“Yeah, that’s true.” She wore jeans and a tube-top with a light jacket over it, and her hair was in a ponytail today. “Derrick,” she said bluntly as they passed through town. “Is it true what Sofia said?”

“I don’t know.” He tried to sound noncommittal, though he knew precisely what she was getting at. “What did she say?”

Olivia watched him quietly until he shot her a sideways glance. “That you wanted to see me again.”

He cleared his throat. “Yes.”

She kept her gaze on him while he tried not to look at her, instead focusing on the winding road. “Why?”

He shrugged. “I guess I wanted to see if anything was still there.”

“Between the two of us?” She stared out the window. “I see.” An uncomfortable moment passed before she added, “I’m glad that Sofia called, and so happy for her and William about the baby.”

“Yeah. Their family’s really sweet.”

“And Derrick,” she said softly. “I’m happy about seeing you again, too.”

They got to the farm stand and Derrick got them a couple of frozen yogurts in paper cups. They ate with small wooden paddle-style spoons at a picnic table by the water.

They made small talk for a bit, chatting about college days and what had become of their former friends, none of whom they’d kept up with except for casually on social media. It was cool catching up with Olivia. He’d expected things to be super awkward, but they really weren’t too bad. After having broken the ice in front of his family yesterday, today felt more like visiting with an old friend.

At last, Derrick braved it. “Olivia, about how things ended…”

She rolled her eyes. “With a big fight.”

“We both shouted a lot, yeah. For my part, I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry, too.” She frowned. “I’m especially sorry about what I said about you not going anywhere. You’ve clearly made a life for yourself here.”

He appreciated her comment and her apology.

“Your career path sure changed. What happened to practicing law?”

“Hard to practice without passing the bar.”

Her face colored and Derrick felt a wave of emotion. Sympathy maybe, or something more. Without thinking about it, he reached out and took her hand. And it felt like…well, Olivia’s hand. Cool and a little bony.

“Not everyone passes the first time.”

“I took it four times.” She ducked her chin and then looked up at him, appearing helplessly lost. “I didn’t know what else to do. I’d spent my whole life prepping to be a lawyer, even interning with your sister and Sofia. And then the whole thing fell apart.” She winced. “Please don’t tell them. Not yet.”

“I won’t.” He squeezed her hand. “So, what led to Acadia?”

“I always liked being outdoors—”

“Liar,” he teased and she laughed, withdrawing her hand. She rubbed it with her other one a moment before continuing.

“You’re right. I didn’t. Not in a camping sort of way. But then I met Paul and he was into it.”

“Paul?”

“My ex-boyfriend.”

“The lawyer?”

“No, that was David. Paul came after Jason.”

“Oh,” Derrick said, losing track. “He wasn’t a football player, was he?” Derrick wasn’t sure how many of those he could take in one day. So Meredith had dated a big beefcake guy? Good for her. That was probably her type, he thought sourly. Derrick had been more of a baseball player and crew member himself, but had never been good enough to turn pro.

She blinked at the apparent non sequitur. “No, a park ranger.”

“Ah. I can see the connection.”

Olivia fell silent a moment. “You know, now’s probably not the best time to discuss old boyfriends.”

Derrick chuckled. “Except for one of them, maybe?” he said, indicating himself.

Olivia smiled. “I guess I can make an exception. So, what have you been up to?”

“Boatbuilding.”

She laughed. “Of course. I remember that canoe you built for your grandpa. Has he still got it?”

“He does.”

“Does he take it out?”

“I sure hope not,” Derrick said, and she laughed harder.

“You’re right,” Olivia said. “He’s probably a little past that.”

“They keep it around, though,” Derrick told her. “And people use it from time to time. People in the family, I mean, when they’re up here.”

“That’s good it hasn’t gone to waste.”

He looked into her eyes, and this time he felt something. A distant fondness maybe. Like gently rolling waves tugging him out to sea along with all those old memories. It wasn’t exactly the tumultuous ocean scene he saw very presently in Meredith’s dark gaze. Meredith’s eyes were like a Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktail—full of heat and mystery. A mystery that part of him ached to unravel. But who was he kidding? Meredith wasn’t interested in him. Just this morning, she’d practically shoved him out the door and straight into Olivia’s arms.

He sighed. “Olivia, Olivia.”

“Derrick Albright,” she said, her eyes sparkling.

He set his elbows on the picnic table and placed his chin in his hands, considering her. She was still as pretty as she ever was. Possibly even more beautiful. And she did seem like she’d matured. “Where do we go from here?”

“Don’t know,” she answered. “Where would you like to go?”

She locked on his gaze and his heart thudded in a dull ache. Like underneath the comforting familiarity, something was off. The thought of going places with Olivia didn’t fill him with joy. No, the emotions he was experiencing felt more like dread. Maybe because this was all so new and he was still getting used to the idea?

Or maybe there was a bigger problem. One with gorgeous brown eyes, a suitcase full of not-at-all sensible shoes, and a whole lot of opinions.

“I’m not sure,” he said after a bit.

She pursed her lips. “Me neither.”

They sat there a moment and finished their frozen yogurt. Derrick was unsure of what to say next. He guessed he could drive her back to the guesthouse but that didn’t seem right. They still hadn’t discussed the future. Then again, Meredith had warned him to take his time, to not rush things. Maybe she was right and they needed to take things slow. They had a plan—one that required him to end up with Olivia so he and Meredith could break off their fake liaison.

Olivia stood and cleaned up their trash, carrying it to an outdoor waste bin. “Thanks for the yogurt. It was great.”

“You’re welcome.”

She glanced toward his SUV. “Should we—?

“How ’bout we go for a drive?”