Free WMIS 07 Breathe With Me by Kristen Proby Page A

of thanks.
    Sam can be ruthless. But Mer is holding her own.
    My strong girl.
    “I’m just clearing the air with Sam,” Mer says and smiles brightly. “No problem.”
    I glance at Sam who continues to watch Meredith before she turns to me and shrugs. “We’re fine, Mark.”
    “There’s no blood?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood.
    “Not yet,” Sam says and cocks a brow at me.
    “Geez, no need to be violent, slugger.”
    “We’ll see,” she replies and turns to leave.
    “I’m going to take this to Keaton,” Natalie says, but stops by Meredith on her way by. “I’m glad you’re here. Just give it time.”
    Mer smiles and nods and I immediately cross to her and tilt her chin up. “What happened?”
    “Nothing dramatic,” she replies. “She doesn’t dislike me. She doesn’t trust me, which I can work with.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “It means that it’s better than I thought.” She smiles and hugs me tightly, wrapping her arms around me and nuzzling her face against my chest.
    “I know Sam can be ruthless, so if she said anything to make you…”
    “Stop.” She lays her hand on my chest and looks up at me with those blue eyes, shining with unshed tears. “Do you know what I would give to be able to grill my sister’s boyfriend? To make him squirm a little?” She shakes her head and bites her lip and I tighten my arms around her. “I can handle Sam.”
    “Okay.” I kiss her head and hug her close. “Do you want to leave?”
    “No, let’s go back out.” She smiles bravely and my heart melts a little more. She’s here because of me, because she knows it’s important to me. She leads me outside and we quickly join a conversation with Meg, Will, Matt and Nic.
    “Vegas,” Meg says.
    “What’s happening in Vegas?” I ask, keeping Mer’s hand in mine. Matt and Will both notice and exchange a glance.
    Yeah, I’ll be getting ribbed later. I don’t care.
    “We’re all going to Vegas,” Will says. “We’re just going to do a big group bachelor/bachelorette party.”
    “Fun,” I reply. “When?”
    “In a few weeks,” Meg says and smiles. “We’re making all the travel arrangements. All you guys have to do is show up.”
    “I like the sound of this trip,” Matt says. “How are the wedding plans coming?”
    Will groans, but Meg lights up, clearly excited to talk about wedding plans. “Great! Alecia is the best.”
    “Alecia is planning this one too?” I ask. That woman plans every event for this family. She might as well just marry someone and officially become part of the gang.
    “Yes, and she’s brilliant.”
    “When is the big day?” Meredith asks.
    “June 9 th ,” Meg replies.
    “That’s only about six weeks away,” Nic replies. “I’ll need you in the shop this week so we can look at cake ideas.”
    “Okay! Fun!” Meg agrees. “It took us a while to choose a date,” she tells Meredith.
    “It’s because she’s lazy,” Will informs us all with a smile. Meg slaps his arm and rolls her eyes.
    “I am not lazy.”
    “I can’t wait to marry you,” Will says and nuzzles Meg’s ear, making her laugh. “Let’s go right now.”
    “It’s Sunday,” Meg replies and pushes against Will’s chest. “Nothing is open right now.”
    “I’ll make some calls,” Will replies with a smug smile.
    “Miss Mer!” Josie interrupts, pulling on Meredith’s hand. “We love this song! Come dance with us. Please?”
    Meredith laughs. “You like Starla, do you?”
    “Yes, please come dance.”
    “Okay.” She smiles up at me. “My dance card just filled up. I’ll be back.”
    “Have fun.”
    She lets Maddie take one hand and Josie take the other as they guide her to the open lawn area where the kids have been playing. She starts to move her body, showing the girls some new moves, laughing with them. Maddie concentrates, watching Mer with an intense look on her sweet face.
    “She’s great,” Nic comments and sips her water.
    “You brought a woman to