LoM02 - Michael's Family by Shay Kathryn

Author:Shay, Kathryn [Shay, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, amazon
Published: 2011-07-23T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

* * *

“I don’t believe it.” Belle leafed through the photocopied article she was trying to read by the dim light of the passenger side of Meredith’s car. The two women were on their way to join in Mike’s birthday celebration. “Only seven percent of all women talk to a friend about their sex lives.”

“Where did you get that survey?” Meredith asked as she switched on her turn signal to exit the expressway that ran from Romulus to Sommerfield.

“From the women’s shelter where I volunteer on Tuesdays. We try to provide all kinds of information for the residents.”

“It was nice of you to bring along the survey for Mike.” Meredith reached over and squeezed Belle’s arm. “And I’m not surprised at the statistic. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a friend like you.”

Belle smiled, and Meredith was reminded again of the day she’d met Belle at Princeton’s rape survivors’ group. From the start, they’d shared a special bond, common to women who’ve been raped. Belle’s attacker had been her soon-to-be ex-husband.

Over the years, Meredith and Belle became close friends and Belle had helped her through every one of Mike’s birthdays. Usually it took a little wine, a lot of talk and sometimes a distracting activity. Once, they’d gone to New York City to see a Broadway play; another time, they’d camped out in Belle’s backyard, and once they’d taken a vacation to the Bahamas. Every year, Belle had been there.

Which was why Meredith felt guilty about not telling Belle what had happened with Luke last week. Belle’s quoting the survey statistic increased Meredith’s guilt. But Belle harbored an unreasonable disapproval of Luke. Though she’d never prosecuted her own rape, as Meredith had, Belle had always been angry about the chain of events in Meredith’s situation. And she’d focused that anger on Tom’s public defender, and thereafter on all public defenders. Which was why she couldn’t seem to keep an open mind about Luke.

But there was another reason Meredith wasn’t discussing Luke. Her feelings for him were too precious to verbalize to anyone just yet. Apparently Luke felt the same way. When he and Meredith had discussed talking to Mike about what had happened between them, Luke had been against saying anything right now.

He’d slid his hand around her neck into her hair. “What are we going to tell him, Meredith? That we’ve kissed?” He’d shaken his head and that unruly lock had fallen onto his forehead. This time, she’d brushed it back. “Let’s wait a little while, and see where this is taking us. Besides, I’ll be better prepared to discuss our relationship once the explosions stop going off in my body every time I see you.”

Meredith smiled at the memory, hoping those explosions never stopped.

“Where are all the trick-or-treaters?” Belie asked when they turned onto Luke’s street.

“Luke said they come mostly between six and eight. The Rayburns wait until later to celebrate every year, and leave candy outside for latecomers.” Meredith smiled weakly as she zipped into the familiar driveway.

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