The Wedding Pact Box Set - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,51

shower. Do you need to do anything in the bathroom first?”

He studied her back as she grabbed clothes out of the case and stood. “No,” he finally managed to say. She started to walk past him. “Megan, wait.”

She stopped and looked up at him, waiting. But he had no idea what to say. He only knew he couldn’t stand to see her like this. He preferred the fun-loving, playful Megan, and he wasn’t sure how to get her back. Oh, he knew he’d totally screwed things up last night, but how much worse would it have been if he’d slept with her only for her to later find out his true purpose for being here? He knew what his brother would have done . . . and heck, maybe he should have given in to his libido. There was no denying he wanted Megan more than he’d ever wanted any other woman, but his conscience told him he had no right to want anything from her. He was using her. He could wrap it up with pretty explanations of karma and fate, but the truth remained that he was using this woman’s misfortunes for his own gain. He didn’t deserve her.

“I’m sorry,” was all he said.

She offered him a grim smile. “You have nothing to apologize for. If not for you, I’d probably be back in Seattle right now, a disowned outcast. You’re offering me an out when I don’t deserve one. I think I’m getting the better end of the deal here.”

Little did she know. He forced an ornery grin. “Your grandmother wants to draw me in the nude. I told her I had to check with you first. We can call it even if you tell her you’re too jealous to let her do it.”

A smile spread across her face, returning some of her playfulness. “Deal.”

“I need some coffee. I saw a coffee maker in the kitchen. Will your mother have a fit if I make a pot?”

“Probably not, and I’m willing to take the full blame if you bring me a cup.”

“Deal.”

He wandered down to the kitchen, partially worried Megan was right and he’d find Gram making pancakes in her birthday suit. Instead, the only person he saw downstairs was Bart, already dressed for work, pouring a cup of coffee.

“Good morning,” Josh forced out. Bart had been nothing but nice to him, and despite Josh’s suspicions, he couldn’t hold a grudge against the man—not yet. He’d decided to withhold judgment until he had more than circumstantial evidence. So the billowing animosity he suddenly felt caught him by surprise. If Megan’s father had protected her from her mother’s expectations and demands, maybe she wouldn’t be in this situation now. Maybe she would have felt safe telling them the truth.

“How’d you sleep?” Bart asked.

“Great,” Josh said, forcing a friendliness he didn’t feel. “Are you about to head out to work?”

“Sure enough. Nicole has an itinerary of things that need to be done today, but my part doesn’t come until this afternoon, when I’m supposed to pick up the food for the big family dinner.”

Josh decided to make his move. “I was fascinated by what I heard about your business last night. Any chance I can go into your office with you today?”

Bart glanced up in surprise. “I’m sure you’d be bored. Investment banking is bound to move at a much quicker pace than the work that’s done at an engineering office.”

“No, I assure you I won’t be bored. I love to learn, and I’d really like to know what Megan’s father does for a living.” He hesitated, guilt prickling his conscience before he added, “I’m marrying your daughter, sir, so I’d welcome the opportunity to get to know you better.”

Bart watched him for a second, then set his cup down on the granite counter, clearing his throat. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. I’m giving away my baby girl on Saturday, and it’ll be a lot easier if I approve of the man she’s chosen to spend the rest of her life with. I was under the impression you didn’t want to have anything to do with us.”

“There have been a lot of misunderstandings.” The words were hard to get out. He hated himself for betraying this family, but if he was going save his business, he would have to continue following this course. This was what he’d impulsively signed up for. “But I’d love to spend some time with you today, and maybe