Gavin returned to his seat, picked up his menu, and tried to block out his mother’s piercing glare.
Chapter 4
THREE WEEKS LATER
Melanie leaned over the counter and kept her eyes fixed on the red heart-shaped clock over the front door of the bakery. The scent of freshly baked pastries usually made Melanie feel better, but even that hadn’t been working lately. Casey’s words kept playing over and over in her head. Let go and love again.
But how could she do that? It had always felt like she was cheating on Aaron when she allowed herself to love Gavin too much. Why couldn’t he accept what she had to give and leave it at that? But then again, she needed more from him, too. Could she really expect him to accept what she couldn’t?
“All you have to do is call him,” Casey said, walking up behind her practically covered in flour and holding a pan of pink and white cupcakes.
Melanie moved aside and allowed Casey to place the pan on the glass counter in front of her. “What are you talking about?”
Casey shrugged, placing one cupcake after the other into the display counter that would be empty within twenty minutes of the shop’s opening. Casey and Melanie had opened DIVA’S CUPCAKES only a year ago, and judging from the crowd that gathered every day, it was the best decision they could have made. They had gone from being an administrative assistant and a teacher to becoming the sweet tooth fairies of Baton Rouge.
“It’s been three weeks, Melanie. Why don’t you just call him?” Casey’s gaze shifted from the last cupcake to the bag of donut holes and piping hot cup of coffee sitting on the table. Gavin used to come in every morning before the start of the business day for his daily sugar fix—donut holes and coffee.
“He walked out on me,” Melanie said with a lift of her chin, embarrassed that she was still such a creature of habit. “He can call me if he wants to talk. He can call me if he misses me.” Her voice caught at the end of those words. She wanted to sound strong, but instead she sounded … scorned.
Casey grimaced and shrugged. “Fine, just keep preparing his usual if that somehow makes you feel good.” She stepped away, looked at Melanie over her shoulder, then disappeared into the kitchen before Melanie could say another word.
“Whatever,” Melanie mumbled as she slumped against the counter.
Being without Gavin was a bigger challenge than she imagined. He’d been a part of her life for so long, she’d become so used to calling him and looking to him for an encouraging word when she needed one. His touch was always so comforting and welcoming. These past few weeks she’d thrown herself into the business and stayed in her kitchen from sunup to sundown trying out new recipes. But even that was a constant reminder of his absence. He had a big appetite and was always available and eager when she needed a taste tester.
She unlocked the door then stormed toward the kitchen, hoping to put distance between herself and her memories. She stopped when the door chimed.
“Good morning.” Gavin’s baritone voice, which still carried a hint of disappointment, traveled from the front door all the way to the counter.
“Good morning,” Melanie answered, trying to keep her voice level and her hand from trembling. She opened the display case and began to rearrange the already perfectly aligned cupcakes.
Gavin maneuvered his way around the stainless steel bar tables until he was standing in front of the counter. “Didn’t I tell you to keep that door locked? At least until you’re ready to open.”
She lowered her head. “I forgot. I just unlocked it.”
“You have to be more careful.”
Melanie nodded, appreciating his concern. She slid his items across the counter.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Gavin asked.
“We can go in the office.”
His slight nod was followed by a quick once-over, as though he was trying not to linger in certain places too long.
Melanie ushered him through the door to a spacious office in the back of the bakery. He offered a quick greeting to Casey who gave him a knowing smile.
The few feet through the kitchen and into her office felt more like a mile. “Listen, Gavin, I—”
“No, Mel. Let me.” He lowered his head before looking into her pain-filled eyes. “I don’t like this.”
“I don’t either,” she said right before he placed an index finger over her glossed lips. His touch sent a tingling sensation through her body, one that was as welcome as a snowball on a hot summer day.
“I know I haven’t called, and that’s not like me,” he said. “But I needed some time.”
She mulled that over, feeling a bit disappointed by the change in him and the fact that he put a few inches of distance between them so they could hold this conversation. “I understand.”
As though hearing her thoughts, he reached for her, but then let his hands fall to his sides, as though realizing he didn’t have the right to do that any longer.
“I don’t like this polite way of speaking but not speaking we’ve fallen into,” he said, his voice filled with defeat. “These last few weeks have showed me that I’d rather be your friend than not have you in my life at all.”
“I don’t want to lose our friendship either.”
He stepped forward and closed the gap between them.
Melanie’s heart beat at a rapid pace, and her breathing came in a close second. The palms of her hands turned sweaty. She couldn’t understand why her body and mind were sending totally different signals. Even though Melanie’s heart still ached for Aaron, her body was calling for Gavin.
“I still believe we’re meant to be together,” he whispered, his lips close to her ear. “But I’m willing to be patient and wait until your heart catches up to mine.”
Melanie closed her eyes and enjoyed his embrace. She kept reminding herself that just being friends was best for both of them.
Chapter 5
SIX MONTHS LATER
Gavin trailed his friend Brent as they wound their way through the concession stands towards the stage and the VIP area. A bunch of local rock bands were slated to perform, and the crowd was certain to get wild.
“I’m glad we paid for the good seats,” Brent said, his gaze scanning the masses. He barely missed the foot of a curly haired woman who was sprawled on a blanket stretched over the grass.
“If you say so,” Gavin mumbled. He almost hadn’t made it to this outdoor concert. His men had been called to this festival more times than he cared to remember. Something about a park, live music, and alcohol turned normally sane people into weirdos. In his younger days, he’d been a regular at concerts such as these until a particularly unnerving event, which had landed Melanie backstage in a makeshift emergency room. That night made him swear them off for a long time and also made him double the manpower to increase safety factors all around.
Though Melanie had said she was ready to resume their old friendship, Gavin had still felt a sense of uneasiness whenever they were together. After waiting almost a month, Gavin decided he couldn’t waste another second with a woman who didn’t want to meet him halfway on something as simple as friendship. And that meant a withdrawal from her and from his normal donut holes and coffee in the mornings. He still had his job, his mom, and working out. The rest of his time was filled with catching up with old friends and even branching out and taking in some of the nightlife the city had to offer.
Gavin slowed his step once he neared their row. The woman in the seat next to theirs was all too familiar.
“Are you following me?” Gavin leaned over and tapped Natasha on her arm.
She turned towards him, and her eyes widened. “Maybe I am.”
“That’s called stalking, you know,” he teased, taking in her white shorts and yellow tank, “and it’s against the law.”
Natasha held out her wrists and said, “You can arrest me anytime Officer.”
“Look, how about we do this,” Brent said before Gavin could respond. “You sit here.” He said to Natas
ha, motioning to his seat. “And I’ll sit right here.” He pointed to Natasha’s seat, but he never took his eyes off the red-haired beauty next to her.
“This is my friend, Crystal,” Natasha said. “Gavin and I went to high school together,” she told Crystal.
“Nice to meet you,” he greeted.
“Ladies, this is my boy, Brent. Brent, this is Natasha and Crystal.”
Gavin could tell Brent really couldn’t care less about all the formalities. He was just ready to get next to Crystal. And that worked out fine since Gavin and Natasha reconnected over the din of five musical acts. That concert led to several dates, and several dates led to a relationship, and Gavin finally started to feel alive again.
* * *
“That’s game! I won!” Natasha jumped up and raised her arms high above her head, doing a victory dance. Her hot pink skirt lifted just high enough that it showed off the lower curve of her buttocks.
“You cheated.” Gavin used the back of his hand to wipe his face. He took long strides, meeting her in the middle of the indoor tennis court. “How was I supposed to concentrate with you dressed like that?” He winked and licked his lips, which he knew drove her absolutely insane.
“Don’t start,” she teased. “You know I have to get to the restaurant and you, Mr. Police Chief …” she pressed an index finger in his chest, then moved in so close that her mouth grazed his with each word, “have to get to the station.”
He wrapped his arm around her slender waist. “Now who’s starting something?”
“That would still be you,” she shot back, giving his chest a playful punch. “Are you sure you’re going to make it to the restaurant in time to see me get my award? The program starts at noon. You have to be on time because it’s going to be quick.” She placed her hands on her well-rounded hips.
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything. I’m so proud of you.” He kissed her forehead, and she wound her hands around his neck.
“I’m still pinching myself. I can’t believe a magazine as huge as Southern Living actually took notice of my place, let alone thought the food was up there with Mike Anderson’s and Cheesecake Bistro.” For a moment, the light in her eyes was enough to illuminate the whole court. Her right eyebrow raised, head tilted, and she looked up at him. “So promise me you’ll be there?”
He lifted his hand as though someone was placing him under oath. “I promise I’ll make it.” He lowered his hand and stroked the hairs on the nape of her neck. “I’m running by the station to sign some papers, then I’m going straight home to change.”
“Good boy.” She rewarded him with another kiss.
“That’s all I get?” he asked, throwing both arms in the air.
“Until later.” Natasha twirled on one foot and aimed for the locker room. Her skirt swished from side to side with each step. She gave him a quick glance over her shoulder, grinning when her gaze locked with his.
* * *
As Gavin walked out of the station, his only thought was that he couldn’t afford to disappoint Natasha again. Lately, every time they made plans, something would come up with work, his mother, and even Melanie, and he’d have to cancel. But this was one occasion he knew he had to make, no matter what.
As he reversed out of the parking lot, his cell phone buzzed. The name on the screen caused him to frown. He debated not answering and letting it go to voicemail. He could return the call after Natasha’s event, but every time Melanie called, it was important.
“Hey, Mel.”
“Gavin, are you busy?” she asked, her voice hurried and shaky.
“Just leaving the station. What’s wrong?” He stopped at the end of the lot, right before he’d have to make a left onto North Street.
“I don’t know,” she answered. “I was on the Interstate and my car started smoking. I got off on O’Neal Lane and pulled into Hobby Lobby. The smoking stopped but I’m afraid to crank it up again.”
He knew that the fear in her voice had everything to do with her brother’s death, which was caused by a freak car accident. An unlicensed mechanic had done work on her brother’s car, and the brakes had malfunctioned. It had cost not only her brother’s life, but that of his best friend and wife.
Before Gavin could give it another thought, he turned right out of the parking lot—in the opposite direction of home. If he skipped the change of clothes, he could still make it on time. “Sit tight. I’ll be right over.”
* * *
Gavin spotted the gray Nissan Maxima sitting near the road at the end of the parking lot. He pulled up beside her, taking in her frustrated expression and the fact that she couldn’t stop pacing the concrete.
“You okay?” he asked, nearing the hood of the car.
“Yeah, just a little shaken,” she said, folding her arms across her chest.
“Pop the hood and let me take a look.”
It was still hot underneath, and once he ruled out the basics—engine oil, transmission fluid and loose wires—he asked, “Mel, did you call a mechanic?”
She shook her head. “No. I thought it was something simple,” she mumbled.
“Don’t worry,” he reassured her. “I’ll call Rob and see if he can come take a look.” Gavin scrolled through his phone to find his mechanic’s number. After giving him their location, he attempted to toss his phone on his passenger seat—not realizing that it hit the floor instead.
“What did he say?” Melanie asked when he was done.
“He’s on his way.” He leaned against her car right next to where she stood. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, but that was scary,” she said, her voice low. “I thought the car was going to blow up.”
Gavin shook his head. “You always think something bad is going to happen.”
“That’s because it usually does, especially with my luck,” she shot back.
He wondered what she had been through over the past few weeks. What had made her even more wary than before?
Thirty minutes later, Rob’s black GMC pulled into the lot blasting B. B. King’s “The Thrill Is Gone.” Gavin greeted the burly, salt-and-pepper haired man with a firm handshake. “Thanks for coming.”
“No problem. Was on lunch anyway.” Rob tinkered with a few things under the hood, then gave Melanie the green light to drive it over to his shop for a full inspection. Gavin took her keys and gave her the keys to his SUV.
“Do you mind driving me to the bakery?” Melanie asked once they finished with the paperwork at Rob’s Auto Shop. “Casey’s by herself today, and I don’t want to pull her away.”
Gavin checked his watch. He was cutting it pretty close. “I can take you.” He settled her in the passenger seat.
“Thank you so much, Gavin. I know you’re busy, and I really hate to keep bothering you.” Her voice was low, almost as if she was afraid to speak it out loud.
“Don’t ever feel that you’re bothering me.” He instinctively reached for her hand. “If you need me, I’m here for you, just like you’d be there for me.” He released her hand and pulled away. He didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable.
“Thank you,” she said again. The rest of the trip was made in silence as the two of them focused on the passing scenery.
Once she cleared the door of the bakery, and he made it back to the car, he reached in his pocket for his phone, but he couldn’t find it. He searched the seats and in between before he found the phone on the floor. His heart nearly went through his chest when he saw nine missed calls from Natasha.
He banged his hand on the steering wheel. “Damn!”
Gavin accelerated, speeding past cars cruising along the highway. He thought of turning on his siren, but he always got on his men for abusing that authority for personal matters. As he was turning into the lot, a crowd of people flowed out of the front door. To his left, a news crew was in the midst of packing up their van.
Once he realized that he was beyond late, he left his car and prepared for the backlash.
“Hello, Gavin. She’s in her office,” she replied in a dry tone. The woman was pretty close to Natasha, so her tone came as no surprise.
He wound his way through the dimly lit restaurant where patrons were enjoying lunch and lively conversation. He tapped on the mahogany door a couple of times before turning the brass knob. Common sense and good police training told him it was best to peep in before fully exposing his body—in case flying objects suddenly were aimed in his direction.
Natasha sat behind an L-shaped, cherry wood executive desk. Over her head was a framed picture of African women dancing. The look of joy and excitement on their faces was a lot different from the look on the face of the woman seated beneath it. The black leather chair that usually made her look strong and in charge now appeared to swallow her whole. She looked up, and his heart fell to his feet.
“Baby,” he whispered, taking a few steps closer. “Natasha, I’m so sorry. I—”
“Save it,” she snapped.
“But, baby, let me explain.” He tilted his head and spread his arms wide.
“Explain what, Gavin?” she shouted. “Why you weren’t here for me again? I don’t need an explanation for that!” Her chest rose and fell, and she closed her eyes, evidently trying to rein in her emotions. “I think it’s pretty clear that I’m not a priority in your life.” She opened her mouth to speak again, but the words never came.
Her phone rang, but she pressed a button to silence the call. He figured people were calling to congratulate her, which made him feel even worse. At a time when she should be taking those calls and caught up in all the excitement of the day, she was sitting here, once again devastated by his actions.
“I’m going to make this up to you,” he promised, trying to take her in his arms. “I don’t know how, but I will. I don’t mean to make you feel that way,” he said. “Melanie had an emergency, and I—”
Signed, Sealed, Delivered ... I'm Yours Page 22