From Best Friend to Bride Read Free Page A

but Cameron clutched the device in his hand, holding it by his shoulder as a silent sign he wasn’t giving in.
    Her deep red lips parted in protest before her shoulders sank and her hands fell to her lap. Megan’s head drooped. With all her hair tucked back, he could see every emotion that slid over her face, even though he could only see her profile. Her eyes closed, she bit her lip and her chin trembled. She looked positively defeated.
    That right there was why Cameron loathed Evan Richards. The man constantly deflated the life out of fun-loving, bubbly Megan. Moments ago, when she’d stood in Cameron’s hallway, she’d been sassy, confident and vibrant...everything he loved. What he didn’t love was how quickly one person could bring her down. Evan was nothing but a bully, always seeking his own selfish desires and not giving a damn who he hurt along the way.
    “Don’t you dare feel bad,” he scolded, maybe harsher than he should have. “That’s exactly what he wants, Meg. He plays that guilt card with you because he knows you’ll give him anything he wants.”
    “I know,” she mumbled. Smoothing her hands down her fitted skirt, she let out a sigh and turned to face him. “I’m trying, really. It’s way past time he stood on his own two feet. It’s just so hard...”
    She shook her head and reached for the keys in the ignition. After sliding his hand over her slender arm, Cameron gripped her hand.
    “That’s what he’s counting on.” Cameron gave her a gentle squeeze as he softened his tone. She wasn’t a perp; she was his friend. “He continually plays the poor sibling, expecting you to ride to his rescue. He’s the one who made this mess of his life.”
    Cameron seriously doubted she knew just how much of a mess Evan was in. There was no way he could protect her from the end result. The helpless feeling in the pit of Cameron’s stomach nearly made him sick.
    Tears brimming in her eyes, she held his gaze. “You think I don’t know how much Evan has screwed up? That he doesn’t use me on a daily basis? You don’t know what I go through, Cameron. You have the picture-perfect family. I have no parents and a brother who’d just as soon wipe out my bank account as spend five minutes talking with me on how to straighten his life out, how to help him. I’m praying maybe one of these times he comes to me, he’ll be there for more. I’m praying he’ll let me help him, that he’ll be ready to turn his life around. So if I have to get stepped on along the way, it’s worth it.”
    The last sentence came out on a choked sob. Well, hell. Now he was the one feeling guilty. He never wanted to make her cry, make her feel as if his life was better than hers.
    After placing her phone back on the console, Cameron reached across and wrapped his arms around her the best he could, considering their positions.
    “I’m sorry.” Her silky hair tickled his cheek, and her familiar floral scent reminded him she was nearly everything to him and he’d die before he’d hurt her. “I don’t mean to be hard on you. I just hate seeing what he does to you.”
    Megan’s hands slid up his torso between his jacket and his shirt, coming to rest against his chest. “What I deserve and what I’ll have are two different things.”
    Easing back, Cameron studied her face. “You deserve everything you’ve ever wanted.”
    A sad smile spread across her face as she reached a hand up and cupped his freshly shaven jaw. “All I’ve ever wanted may not want me back.”
    What?
    Before he could question her further, her hand fell away and she started the vehicle. Whatever secret longing she kept locked deep inside was obviously something she’d all but given up on. Cameron refused to let Megan give up on any dream or goal she had.
    He vowed that once this major case was over, he’d find a way to make her happy, living the life she desired and deserved. It would be worth everything to him. For years he’d seen her always