And she didn’t feel like she was latching on to him the same way she had with men in her past. Whatever her feelings for him were, they were more solid and real. Even if he’d made it clear they couldn’t go anywhere.
“Relax, Meg. I’m not judging you,” Dylan assured her.
As her one-time boyfriend, later best friend, Dylan knew her insecurities and tendencies better than most. He was the one who’d called her out on her behavior when warranted. He was also the one who would never abandon her if she really needed him. The amazing thing was, since he’d drawn the line in their relationship, she really hadn’t needed him at all. Not the way she’d once thought.
“Maybe I am. My life is just spinning out of control. But at the same time, I’m thinking clearly and trying to keep things in perspective.”
He smiled at that. “Good.”
She shrugged. “That’s it? No words of advice?”
He brushed at his goatee with his fingers. “I don’t think you need them. Not from me,” he said at the same moment a solid arm slipped around Meg from behind.
“Am I interrupting?” Scott asked, an unusual edge to his voice.
“No. I was just telling Meg that pregnancy agrees with her,” Dylan said smoothly, avoiding mentioning anything personal in their conversation. Scott wouldn’t appreciate knowing they’d been talking about him, even in a roundabout way.
“Yes, it does.” Scott squeezed her waist and pressed an unexpected kiss to her cheek. “I’m going to steal her away now,” he informed Dylan, who stepped back immediately.
Meg narrowed her gaze, surprised there wasn’t more pleasant conversation between the two men.
“Time to meet the rest of the clan,” Scott said, leading her away from Dylan before she could manage a reply.
She spun out of his embrace. “What was that about?”
“Just—”
“Staking a claim? He’s married to your sister, for God’s sake.”
Scott blew out a long breath. “And he’s crazy about her. I know. Shit.”
She narrowed her gaze. “What is it?”
He grasped her hand and pulled her to an empty, small study, decorated in dark colors, a leopard carpet on the floor, and gold accessories on the built-in wooden shelves.
He pushed the door partially closed. “I don’t know what that was. I saw you with Dylan, knew he was the only guy you were really in love with, and I went a little crazy.”
Jealous? Scott had been jealous of Dylan? Her eyes opened wide at his admission. “Dylan and I haven’t been together since high school,” Meg said, speaking softly because no way did she want anyone overhearing.
“Yeah, well, before me, he was the one you turned to for everything. And that wasn’t all that long ago.”
Meg searched for the words to explain, knowing it wouldn’t be easy. “A few short months ago, I would have sworn Dylan and I were just friends. That he was my best friend and I was his.”
“And now?” he asked, his jaw tight.
“Now I can look back and say my need for Dylan wasn’t healthy. It wasn’t a two-sided friendship. I was . . . clingy, needy, and to be honest, it embarrasses me.” She refused to duck from Scott’s heated gaze. He needed to hear this, and she needed to say it.
She reached up and stroked his cheek, wanting to ease his distress. She felt the rasp of razor stubble beneath her fingers and loved the feel of his skin against hers.
“And that’s why you’re so afraid of leaning on anyone?”
“Partly. I don’t want to be that person who can’t take care of herself.”
She also didn’t want to fall apart when this thing between them ended. Even before she understood his feelings on marriage and family, she’d worried that she wasn’t enough to make him stay. Or worse, that she would come to be too much of a burden and drive him away. None of that mattered now. He was going no matter what.
“Scott?” a female voice called out. “Olivia told me you were here, and I want to meet Meg . . . There you are!” A pretty woman with long dark hair walked in, stopping short. “Oh, sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt a private conversation.”
“No, come in,” Meg said brightly. “Are you Avery?”
The other woman nodded. “Hi, Scott.” She pecked him on the cheek. “It’s great to meet you,” she said, turning to Meg. “Olivia has told me so much about you. We have to all get together for girls’ night. I can drink, and you two pregnant women can watch me drown my sorrows,” she said, following up with an obviously forced smile.
“Av, are you okay?”
“I’m great!”
Even Meg knew her words were forced and wondered what was bothering her.
“I’d love to chat and get to know you, but Mom said it’s dinnertime, so we need to go into the dining room.” Avery spun around and walked out of the room.
“What’s going on with her?” Meg asked Scott.
He groaned. “I think it has something to do with an old boyfriend.” Scott explained that Grey Kingston of the band Tangled Royal was Avery’s high school boyfriend. “He left her to go find fame and fortune, which he did. According to Olivia, he called her last time he was in town, and they got together. Nobody knows what happened, but she’s been . . . off ever since.”
“Scott! Dinner!” someone called.
He shot Meg a wry grin. “Let’s go find out what my mother’s big news is.”
Meg had to hand it to Emma, she had a flair for the dramatic, ignoring her children’s questions throughout dinner and holding her news for after dessert.
“So I’m sure you all wonder why I asked you to come here tonight,” Emma finally said.
“Been wondering, Mom,” Avery said.
“I think I know,” Olivia said next with a grin.
“Not playing twenty questions,” Ian muttered to his sisters. “Let’s hear it.”
“Well, Michael wanted to be here, but he had a work emergency, which is just as well because I wanted to talk
