Chapter 14 How Embarrassing

Dalton had come to see Chandler for a signature, but instead of getting what he wanted, he ended up looking foolish. He couldn’t take it anymore and left, looking defeated.

Dante, nursing his drink, noticed something and smirked. “Chandler, something’s definitely off with you tonight.”

Chandler chuckled lightly. “Oh? What makes you say that?”

Dante raised an eyebrow, clearly knowing more than he let on. “Come on, you know exactly what I mean.”

After Dalton left, Chandler decided he didn’t want to stay any longer. “I’m out of here.”

Dante was curious. “What’s got you leaving so early? What kind of woman has you this worked up?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” Chandler said, crushing the cigarette. “I’d give her anything.”

“Wow, look at you, a real romantic,” Dante teased, crossing his arms. Leaning closer, he whispered, “It’s her, isn’t it? That girl who saved you ten years ago. Meryl?”

Chandler remained silent, merely shooting him a look.

Realizing he’d struck a chord, Dante continued with a grin, “What’s the point of pining after her? While you were out being a border cop, she was with your nephew for seven years. If Dalton had any sense, they might be married by now.”

Dante couldn’t resist playing advisor. “If I were you, I’d jump on this opportunity while she’s mad at him. If you swoop in while she’s still upset, she might just marry you before she thinks it through!”

Chandler ignored him completely, stepping toward the door, but he stopped and turned back. “Where’s Anne?”

“She’s at home. What’s up?”

“Tell her to accompany Meryl to the hospital tomorrow. I’ll text you the address later.”

And just like that, Chandler was gone, leaving Dante feeling like a messenger.

“Seriously? I’m in a fight with Anne. Why would I want to go home? You think I came out in this downpour just to be bored?”

Dante didn’t want to head home, which was why he’d called his friends out to keep himself occupied. He took another drink, and thoughts of Anne Blanchett made his head spin.

The night before had been a deluge, but by morning, the rain had finally stopped. Meryl woke up feeling groggy, vaguely aware that she had dreamt something but unable to grasp the details.

“Awake already?”

She jolted at the sudden voice and turned to find a man lounging on the other side of the bed. He was propped up against the headboard, casually observing her with strikingly handsome eyes. His white shirt was wrinkled, the top three buttons undone, revealing a hint of toned muscles beneath.

Meryl frowned, her mind racing with confusion. “What on earth happened?”

Chandler looked at her with a slight smirk. “You seem surprised. You don’t remember how I ended up in this bed, do you?”

Her fingers instinctively tightened around the blanket, suspicion flooding her.

I don’t even know him! How did he get here? she wondered.

Chandler maintained a serious tone as he adjusted his shirt. “You were the one who held onto me last night, not letting me leave. If anyone should be upset, it’s me.”

Meryl felt her mind go blank. She recalled the doctor’s visit the night before and then just falling asleep. There was a fuzzy memory of being enveloped in a warm embrace, but she couldn’t remember the specifics.

She looked back at him, still unsure. “You’re really sure I was the one who pulled you in?”

Chandler didn’t respond immediately, focusing instead on fixing his shirt. When he reached the third button, his movements suddenly paused. His eyes dropped to her right hand.

Following his gaze, she noticed that she was clutching the very button he had been trying to fasten.

I pulled this off? Oh no… how embarrassing! she screamed internally. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t recall a single moment from the night.