Chapter 10: The Take

Melinda's POV

The gray dress hung on my closet door.

It had a high neck and a sash.

It was cut for a woman who was meant to stand at the back.

I had tried it on at the shop with Shea clapping and Jared taking photos.

Jared knocked at ten that night.

He stood in the doorway with two glasses of wine and the soft, tired face he used when he wanted something.

"Can I come in? I feel like we haven't really talked."

"Sure."

He sat on the end of the bed and handed me a glass.

I took it, and slid my phone under my pillow, and tapped the red circle on the screen.

The memo app began to count.

"I know it's been a rough week," Jared said.

"It has."

"And I know I haven't always seen you."

He rubbed his eyes. "Shea gets carried away, you know how she is. But I'm with you. I always have been."

"Then tell me what Saturday is," I said.

"A wedding."

"You almost said something at the venue. You said, once Shea walks down the..."

"The hall."

"Jared."

He laughed, and set his glass on the nightstand, and slid closer.

His hand came up and rested on my jaw.

I let him leave it there, and I thought about aloe on a shoulder, slow and cool.

"You're so smart," he said. "That's what I love about you."

"Then don't treat me like I'm not."

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