Chapter 9 - THE SECOND INVITATION
Victor did not chase her.
That was probably why Meredith eventually called him.
Eight months later.
Scott nearly dropped his coffee when she told him.
“You did what?”
“I invited Victor to dinner.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to.”
Scott stared.
“That is a terrible reason.”
“It’s actually the only acceptable one.”
He groaned.
“Naomi knows?”
“Yes.”
“Dad?”
“No.”
“Why do I have to know?”
“So you don’t have a heart attack when the security cameras alert.”
Fair.
Dinner was at Meredith’s house.
Not Victor’s.
No guards.
No business.
She cooked badly.
Victor ate politely.
“This is terrible.”
She glared.
“You spent twenty minutes pretending.”
“I was trying to become a better person.”
“Honesty first.”
“The chicken is dry.”
“Leave.”
He laughed.
She did too.
They talked until midnight.
Therapy.
Prison.
Lauren.
Scott.
Owen.
Victor did not ask about dating.
Meredith volunteered eventually.
“I went out with someone.”
Victor’s face remained neutral with heroic effort.
“Good.”
“He was boring.”
“Better.”
“No.”
Victor smiled.
“What happened?”
“He wanted marriage quickly.”
“You object to efficient governance?”
She threw a napkin at him.
The ease scared her.
So she said it.
“This scares me.”
Victor stopped smiling.
“Me too.”
“Why?”
“Because I still love you.”
There it was.
No strategy.
No proposal.
No contingency memo.
Meredith breathed.
“I love you too.”
Victor closed his eyes.
That did not solve anything.
She continued.
“And I still don't know if I could ever marry you.”
His eyes opened.
“Then don't.”
Meredith stared.
He meant it.
“Victor.”
“I spent half my life turning relationships into structures.”
He looked at her.
“I don't need a title from you.”
“What do you need?”
“Permission to keep showing up.”
She thought.
“For dinner?”
“For now.”
Meredith smiled.
“For now.”
That became their second beginning.
No engagement.
No merger.
No family peace plan.
Just dinner.
Coffee.
Walks.
Arguments.
Therapy separately.
Then together.
Scott took almost two years to stop glaring every time Victor entered a room.
Charles took longer.
Victor accepted both.
Lauren sent Meredith a Christmas card one year.
She had married a photographer in California.
The card included no dramatic note.
Only:
Hope you’re well.
Meredith replied the same.
May you like
Enough.
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