“But nothing.” Mel pushed to her feet. “If I want your advice, I’ll ask for it. Same with my brother. Lord knows I’ll get an earful when he’s back in town anyway. But my life and my choices aren’t up to either one of you. You don’t get a vote.” She squared her shoulders, proud of herself for taking a stand. “Understand?”
“Understood. James is not happy, though.” Lilly snorted. “He pulled out the big guns by calling me last night.”
Mel rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. Forget it.” Lilly pushed to her feet. “I need to get back to my studio.” She smoothed a hand down the front of her cute polka-dot top and jeans. “The mayor’s office is supposed to call me about a new project they want me to work on. And thanks for the invite tonight, but I think you and Adam will have enough to talk about without me involved. Talk to you later.”
Mel stood there for a moment, thinking about everything and savoring a few more precious seconds of summer sun. People milled past, some she recognized as locals, some she pegged as tourists, all of them going about their business without a care.
Satisfaction swelled inside her. Things with Adam might be a mess right now, but telling Lilly and James to stay out of her business felt good. She should’ve done it a long time ago. Hopefully they’d listen. Her steps felt lighter when she finally walked back into the library and headed for the circulation desk.
…
Adam regretted his decision more by the minute as he sat at the bar in Clem’s and watched Mel play pool with some random dude across the room. He clenched his beer bottle tight and stared as the guy made his moves on Mel.
Hard to believe they’d only been here forty-five minutes. Then again, Mel was wearing those damned jeans again, the ones that cupped her butt to perfection. From the sway of her hips to the sparkle in her eyes, Adam had known right off he was in trouble.
He’d plopped down on a stool at the bar while she’d taken off immediately to charm all the single men in the room. Now he’d almost wished he’d ordered something stronger than ale to dampen the envy searing hot inside him. Lord knew he needed all the patience he could muster to keep from punching that dude into next week each time his hand grazed Mel’s butt when she leaned over to make a shot. The guys in the bar had zoomed in on her newfound hotness, gathering around her like bugs to a zapper. Adam growled and took another sip of his beer.
Mel’s husky laughter drifted through the air, its sensual tone rivaling the country tunes streaming from the old jukebox against the wall. His muscles tightened, and sweat prickled his skin as Mel carried on with her new male friends.
Adam didn’t like the fact that those dudes could make her laugh so easily. Didn’t like the way Mr. Handsy had pulled out his cell phone and was punching in Mel’s digits, either. And he really disliked how every single man in the room stared at her as she crossed the room toward Adam.
At last, she slid onto her stool beside him with a satisfied smile. “That was fun. Did you see he asked me for my number? That never happens. Usually they can’t get away from me fast enough.”
“Hmm.” Adam watched her over the rim of his bottle, feeling even worse now for getting irritated. Mel didn’t belong to him. She wasn’t his property, and they certainly weren’t a couple. He’d flat out told her that wasn’t even a possibility before they’d started this whole crazy project. He couldn’t be mad at her now. He was only here to help. Her hard work was finally paying off, and he had no business ruining it by getting petty and jealous.
His thoughts snagged.
Okay, fine. Yeah, maybe he was a little jealous, but that didn’t mean anything, really. They’d slept together. That was bound to create some kind of bond. Didn’t mean that bond came with any strings or deeper emotions attached. He swiped a hand over his forehead, perspiration slicking his skin. He didn’t do commitment. He didn’t do love. He’d been clear on that. This shouldn’t even be coming up. Nope. He shook off the errant thoughts.
“Can I tell you a secret?” Mel leaned in so her sweet cherry scent tickled his nose. “Promise you won’t judge.”
“Never.” He felt the urge to kiss her silly until they both forgot about this bar and this night and everything else except each other.
“The number I gave that guy was made up.” She giggled, mischief glinting in her gaze. “That’s so bad, right? But he’s just not my type. Too buttoned-up and bossy.”
Happiness burst inside Adam like fireworks. She didn’t like that dude who’d copped a feel. Good. He took her hand and kissed her fingers, laughed. “He’ll live, don’t worry.”
“So you don’t think I should apologize?”
“What? No.” Adam stood and dug out his wallet, tossing a couple bills on the bar. “I’m starving. You want to grab a burger or something? I know the perfect place.”
“Uh, all right.” Mel grabbed her purse and followed him toward the door. “Are you sure I shouldn’t—”
“I’m sure.” He herded her outside, his eyes drawn like a magnet to her delectable curves. Seriously, those jeans and the new slinky tops she’d bought were the best purchases ever. He even dared to put his arm around her shoulders, because it was dark, and no one was around, and it just felt so good to touch her. Her birthday was drawing closer, so he wouldn’t have many more opportunities.
The perfect place he had in mind was a little dive diner called Boxers. Full of 1930s kitsch with silver steel walls, black-and-white tile floors, red leather booths, and enough privacy for them to cuddle without worrying about being seen. They walked half a block to the restaurant, enjoying each other’s company and the warm night air. In the distance, a lonely train whistle blew, and the breeze carried the rustle of crops and the smell of fresh growing things.
For the first time in a long time, Adam felt hopeful. For himself, for the future.
They rounded a corner, and Mel stopped short, her smile wide. “I love Boxers!”
“Me, too.” What he loved more was the feel of her arm around his waist and the way she hooked a finger through his belt loop as if she couldn’t bear to let him go. Loved the connection they shared, the way her touch gave him both strength and purpose. She’d always made him feel special and important and cared for, even when no one else did. “Best burgers in Indiana.”
“Amen.” They walked inside and grabbed the last booth farthest from the door. “We used to have a place like this not far from the dorms when I was in college. Not nearly as good as this, though. More like a greasy spoon. But man, the all-nighters we spent there, cramming for finals.”
“No late-night after-bar munchies?” Adam asked, opening his menu.
“Nah.” Mel gave a sad little chuckle. “I was usually the girl who was in bed by ten. I never went to the bars when I was in school. Too busy studying. No frat parties, either. Never invited.” She shrugged, picking up the daily specials card from the condiment holder. “Doesn’t matter now, I guess.”
His heart ached at her wistful tone.
“What are you having?” Adam asked, to change the subject.
In the end, they both ended up with the same thing—cheeseburgers, fries, and chocolate malts. And man, if he’d thought seeing her in those jeans was sexy, then watching Mel eat a hamburger was a damned erotic experience—the way she groaned with pleasure after every bite, the way she licked the ketchup and grease from her fingers, the way her head fell back, eyes closed as if she were…
“Can I get you two anything else right now?” the server asked, interrupting Adam’s wicked thoughts.
“Uh, no,” Mel said. Good thing, too, because Adam didn’t think he could’ve formed words to save his life at the moment. “Thanks so much. And I’ll take the check, please.”
He waited until the waitress left, then took a big gulp of water to clear the lump in his throat. “I’ve got the bill.”
“No.” Mel slapped his hand away from the check on the table. “I’m paying tonight. You’ve paid every other time. I need to chip in here. Partners, remember
?”
“C’mon, Mel. It’s not right. I invited you.” He tried again to grab the paper slip and failed. “Please?”
“Stop. You came to Clem’s to help me out, and I owe you a huge debt of gratitude. Let me do this.” She hailed the server and handed her the check and money, along with a generous tip. “There. Done.”
Adam exhaled, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Thanks.”
He wasn’t used to other people doing things for him. Wasn’t used to all the things he felt and experienced when he was around Mel, if he was honest. He didn’t know if he was up or down these days. All he knew was that whatever all this joyous chaos was inside him, it was not love.
Was it?
No. Everything he’d ever seen of love, apart from the Bryants’ home, was pain and loss and devastation. He wouldn’t do that to Mel. Wouldn’t risk everything on that, either. Adam’s palms itched. Mel didn’t have a clue about his inner turmoil. She might’ve been the one trying to gain her confidence, but it seemed he was losing his, at least where she was concerned. “Listen, Mel. About our deal…”
“Yeah, it’s going pretty well, right?” she said, finishing the last of her malt. “I’m sorry about leaving you sitting at the bar by yourself so much, but I had to act while I had the courage, you know? And I think it turned out pretty well. It wasn’t as hard as I thought to walk up to those guys and start talking. Lilly would’ve been so proud.”
“Yeah, sure. Cool.” He wiped his damp hands on his jeans. His stomach knotted, the same way it used to on the first day of school when he’d have to walk in wearing the same old clothes he’d worn the year before when all the other kids had new stuff. He opened his mouth to tell her they should end things early but chickened out in the end. Instead, he bought himself more time. A few more days to summon all his courage for the final goodbye. “Uh, are you ready to try something else? A bigger event?”
Mel’s eyes widened as she tilted her head. “Like what?”
“A wedding.”
Her nose scrunched. “Who’s getting married?”
“Miguel, from the garage.”
“Oh!” She grinned. “That’s right! I forgot with everything else going on. Camille must be close to her due date by now, right?”
“She’s seven months, I think.” Adam smiled back. He liked that she remembered that.
“Are you sure you want to take me?” Mel asked.
“Positive.” Adam couldn’t think of anyone he’d rather sit through the ceremony with.
“But the guys know me. James will be even more pissed when he gets home. Not that it matters, I suppose. You know he’s coming home on the thirteenth now, right?”
“I know.” James had left that info in one of the many voicemails he’d clogged up Adam’s mailbox with. He’d also stated in no uncertain terms that if Adam so much as laid a finger on his little sister, there’d be hell to pay when he got home. Good. Maybe a brawl would knock some sense into Adam’s head again. Besides, he was tired of hiding. No one had to know he and Mel were sleeping together, or that Adam had gotten in so deep emotionally that he wasn’t sure how he’d ever go back to the way things were before, or even if he wanted to at this point. But he would. For Mel. Because that’s what he’d promised. “It’s fine. The guys are cool.”
“Really?” She seemed to consider the idea for a moment. “Well, it would be a great place to practice my skills, beyond beer and pool.” Her grin widened. “Okay. Yes, I’d love to go. When is it? Is it here in Point Beacon?”
“Chicago, actually. This coming Saturday. Camille’s family is from there. If you can take off work, I thought we’d drive up Friday night and spend the weekend. Come home on Sunday. Will that work? We can share a room or…” He swallowed hard, his head thumping in time with his pulse. “Or you can get one of your own, whatever you want.”
Please stay with me. Please stay with me.
“Oh, well.” Mel’s cheeks colored pink, and his chest squeezed with yearning. “Probably makes more sense to just get one, right?”
“Right.” Adam released the breath he’d been holding and grinned like an idiot. “I didn’t want to make the decision for you.”
“I’ll have to go shopping again, to buy something appropriate.” She glanced over and caught his eye. “Don’t worry. I’ll do it online this time, now that I know what to look for.”
He’d never admit it to anyone, but he’d actually enjoyed walking through that fancy mall with her, seeing her delight at all those shoes and clothes and stuff. “Awesome. It’ll be fun. Not sharing a room, I mean.” He scowled, stumbling over his words like a fool. “Uh, no. I, uh, I mean that’ll be fun, too. I mean the wedding will be cool. They’re doing a traditional Mexican ceremony and reception.”
Dumbass.
Mel giggled, and Adam’s poor battered heart came alive. Man, she was so beautiful. Sweet and kind and so generous with her time and attention and affection. She reached across and took his hand. “You seem almost as jittery as I was when we started working together.”
He gave a self-effacing shrug. “Guess the tables have turned, huh?”
“Yeah.” She smiled. “Thanks for asking me.”
“Thanks for saying yes.” He laughed. “I can’t believe you make me so nervous.”
“Maybe I’m rubbing off on you.”
“Maybe.” He laced their fingers together, liking the sound of that way more than he should. Their gazes locked again. She scooted out of her side of the booth, and he followed. They walked out of the diner together, hands entwined.
“I’m excited about this weekend.” She rested her head against his arm as they strolled toward his bike parked outside Clem’s. “I hope everyone’s as cool as you say with this.”
“They are. Trust me.” He kissed the top of her head as they waited at the corner to cross the street. The more they talked about the wedding and the weekend in Chicago, the more excited he became, too, despite knowing he’d soon have to let her go.
But he would let her go. He had to.
He had too much riding on this to allow his heart into the equation.
If he kept Mel, he’d lose everything else—his best friend, his surrogate family, Victory Vets. The realization struck hard, knocking the air from his lungs.
This weekend would be their last one together before James came home and everything changed. It would be their long goodbye. They’d agreed that her birthday was the line in the sand, the end. That was good. He could get out before he messed things up anymore. This weekend would be nice; they’d part on good terms. Then he’d have a few days to get his head straight again before seeing James and hopefully salvaging their friendship and their business partnership. Things with Mel only felt so intense because they’d spent so much time together over the past few weeks. Time apart would help. Things with her weren’t that serious.
It was settled. They’d go to Miguel’s wedding, have a good time, then be done.
This weekend would be the end.
Chapter Thirteen
Mel sat in the small computer lab inside the Point Beacon Public Library scrolling through page after page of cocktail dresses with Lilly during her lunch break that Wednesday. Even though Lilly didn’t approve of what was going on between her and Adam, she was also Mel’s best friend and said she was determined to lend her support, in whatever way she could. Thus, she’d kept the room buzzing with constant chatter since her arrival, but Mel wasn’t paying attention. Her thoughts kept circling back to Adam and how much she missed him. Two days since their night at the diner, but still. He hadn’t come over to her place since, claiming he’d been super busy at work and they’d taken on a few new jobs. Between the schedule changes and the engine he was still rebuilding for some out-of-town client, he’d had his hands full.
Her parents had been busy, too, getting ready for the big bash and inviting pretty much the entire population of Point Beacon. So Mel had put her nose to the grindstone as well, getting things done at the library she�
��d been putting off for months because she simply didn’t have the time. She’d also taken on several new volunteers from the local retirement center, and she’d put them to good use, sorting the stacks and archiving the old books to make room for the new. There were even a couple of older gentlemen who didn’t mind a little hard labor—if you could call moving empty wheeled bookshelves around “hard labor.” They’d helped Mel redesign the layout of the history section to make it more accessible and user-friendly.
In fact, she’d been so busy she’d barely had time to think about what she was wearing to the wedding in Chicago. Thus, she’d enlisted Lilly’s help to find something quick online, so she could express-order it for delivery before she and Adam left on Friday after work. Lilly spent her days making sure she portrayed people in their best light. Who better to help Mel choose an outfit to make Adam finally realize his undying adoration and want to continue seeing her?
Unfortunately, despite what seemed like way too much time searching, they still hadn’t found the perfect dress. She wasn’t fat, per se, but she did have curves. Accentuating those, without making her look too bawdy, was a priority. She’d changed her style, yes, but she still had limits. Mel glanced over at the clock, seeing there was a half hour left on her lunch break. This was taking far longer than it should.
She didn’t mean to be so picky, but she wanted to look good on Adam’s arm, like she belonged there with him, especially since he’d seemed a bit distracted the other night toward the end, after they’d discussed James returning early. The clock was ticking inside her head, too, putting on more pressure to make the right choices, both in her clothes and her life. Her feelings had grown deeper for Adam far faster than she’d expected or intended, and now that she’d acknowledged them to herself, the logical next step was to tell him as well. And while that scared her on more levels than she could count, Mel was now all about taking charge. As the latest issue of Cosmo said, “The only way to lead an authentic, fulfilled life is to take risks. Battle those doubt demons. Your reward could be unexpected and beyond your wildest dreams.”
How to Seduce a Bad Boy Page 13