Snippet #2577139

Meredith stared at the wad of cash, that Jamie casually put on the table, as though it was going to suddenly sprout legs and walk. She had never seen so much money in one place like that and it hit home then that her bonded clearly had a lot of money if he was happy to throw such money around. Money had never been something she had had a lot of and so she had so she had taught herself that money didn't matter. But that did not stop her wondering what it would be like not to worry about money and to choose where you lived and what you bought on preference rather than what you could afford.

Her brother wore an identical expression of awe, shock and disbelief and his eyes were so wide Meredith thought they might pop right out of his head. She would have laughed if she hadn't been equally as shocked, and also touched by the gesture as Jamie was clearly trying to get along with her brother for her sake. She thought the amount of money he offered, or that he offered money at all, was a little over the top but she was touched by the gesture. Ash reached out a hand and touched the money with a finger, as though doubting it was real, and stared at Jamie.

"I can't take this. It's too much." He said.

Meredith was inclined to agree but then she realised that to Jamie the amount was not an issue and he genuinely wanted to help her brother and right now the money was the way he could do that. She reached out and pushed the money into Ash's hand, nodding slowly.

"Take it Ash, it's okay."

Ash hesitated for a few more moments before slowly curling his fingers around the money and picking it up off the table. He nodded to Jamie his eyes filled with his gratitude.

"Thank you, I know I don't deserve this after...last night but thank you." He stood. "I will pay you back, every penny. I promise."
He had a look of fierce determination on his face and Meredith believed him even if it took him the rest of his life she knew he meant it. He looked at Meredith and grinned. "I'm going to go and look at apartments, this is enough for a deposit."

She grinned back at him realising he was right, it was enough to put a deposit down on an apartment and if they were careful they could afford a higher rent. They would finally be able to live in an area where they felt safe and would not have to risk their lives every time they left their home. She finished her breakfast and then said goodbye to Ash as he left, hugging him briefly.

She then turned to Jamie and smiled, her eyes lit up with her happiness and gratitude. It never occurred to her to be suspicious of his motives, of why a almost complete stranger would held them in such a way. Perhaps with someone else she would have but for whatever strange reason she trusted him completely and had no doubt he did this to help her and for no other reason.

"So." She said mischievously. "How would like me to thank you?"

She slowly looked him up and down as she spoke, her eyes lingering and full of heat.