and she was still struck dumb by the sight of the man, still that pitiful girl hoping a boy like that would notice her when he never had.
This time he did see her, though, his eyes falling on her an instant later and widening in surprise.
And damned if something inside her didn’t melt just a little bit in response.
“Oh,” he said, his lips curving in a wry smile. “I wasn’t expecting to find anyone in here.”
A small chuckle worked its way from her lungs. “I wasn’t expecting company, either, so I guess that makes two of us.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice softening with genuine concern. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You didn’t,” she lied. “Did you need something?”
“I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I might try to get a snack or something. I hope that’s all right...”
“Of course,” Meredith said with her best hostess smile, rising from her seat. “The kitchen is always open to guests, and we make sure to keep some cold cuts and other snacks on hand in the fridge. I think there’s some cake left over from dinner and some cookies, too. What can I get you?”
“Actually, whatever it is you’re drinking smells great.”
“It’s just hot chocolate.”
“I wouldn’t say no to that. I can make it myself if you tell me where—”
“No, no,” she said, waving him toward the kitchen island. “You’re a guest here. It’s no trouble.”
Meredith quickly moved to the counter for a mug. Behind her, she heard him pull a stool out from the island to take a seat.
“So,” he said. “Are you here because you’re really that dedicated to serving your guests, or couldn’t you sleep, either?”
“I wish I could say it’s the first one, but I have to admit, I have a lot on my mind.” Wanting to dodge any question of what it might be that was keeping her up, she went for the obvious one. “I’m sure you heard about what happened to our first wedding here.”
“The murdered bride. I’m surprised you wanted to have any more weddings here after that.”
“I wasn’t sure I did,” Meredith said. “I was surprised Rachel wanted to go ahead with having hers, but as long as she did I couldn’t say no.”
“When it goes well, maybe it’ll give this place a clean slate.”
She didn’t miss the fact that he said “when” the wedding went well, not “if.” She had to appreciate his confidence, or at least that he was capable of such positive thinking. “I hope so,” she agreed. “What about you? What’s keeping you up?”
“Guess I’m just trying to process everything that happened today, how different everybody is. It feels a little strange being around everyone after all this time.”
“You didn’t keep in touch with any of them over the years?”
“Not really. Only Scott, and then we’d only talk every once in a while, grab a drink when I was in town. After we graduated, I got caught up in work and sort of lost touch with everybody else.”
“I think someone said you work in television?”
“I’m a cameraman and on-site producer for a show called On the Wild Side.” He paused. “At least I was. The show was just canceled. You’d think I’d be used to it by now but I guess it’s still too new.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “That’s why you were able to make it to the wedding after all?”
“Yeah. I guess that’s one good thing to come out of it.”
His hot chocolate finally prepared, Meredith turned back to face him, setting the mug in front of him. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” Reaching for the mug, he looked up and met her eyes. His gaze was unexpectedly serious, and her skin tingled under the force of his attention. “I’m sorry about your marriage.”
Meredith wasn’t sure which was more surprising, the words themselves or the genuine emotion in his voice as he said them. She ignored the painful twinge in her chest at the memory and forced a smile. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t really know Brad in college.”
Me, either, she thought grimly. She hadn’t gotten to know who he really was until much later. “You didn’t miss out on much.” Realizing she might be opening the door to more questions she didn’t want to answer, she gave her head a quick shake. “What about you? Been down the aisle yourself?”
He smiled ruefully. “No. Between traveling so much for work and never meeting anyone who’s made me even consider it, I haven’t come anywhere close.”
“Maybe that’s what’s keeping you up,” she suggested lightly.