by Mya O'Malley
“There you go, girl. He’s okay,” the man said soothingly, petting his dog.
“So, how’s it going with that girl you were talking about the other day?” Oliver ventured.
“Oh, we actually went out the other night and it was great, she’s really special.” The man glimpsed down, as if embarrassed to be sharing his feelings with a complete stranger.
“Sounds wonderful. If you don’t mind me saying, if it doesn’t work out, I think I have just the right girl for you.”
“What was that?” the man asked.
“I have a friend, she’s beautiful, sweet, successful…” Oliver rambled on.
The man put his hand up to stop Oliver from continuing. “No. Thanks, but I’m quite happy,” the man insisted.
“Pardon me for saying this, but didn’t you just meet this woman? I mean, I can’t really see how you would know if she’s the one.” Oliver was scrambling for words, desperate to get his point across.
“I just know, she’s the one. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” The man turned to walk away, shaking his head as the boxer took one last look at Oliver before following its owner.
Wonderful, now he had succeeded in annoying the man. He had left before Oliver even had a chance to tell him where Melody worked. Thinking through some other various possibilities which involved Oliver making an even bigger fool of himself, he headed back to the hotel. Tonight he would stop by the bookstore. He hadn’t been there in a few days and he missed Melody. Torn between wanting to spend every possible moment with her or gradually pulling away now, he decided that he would appreciate every second he could with her, but continue his search as his time was running out.
Walking through town, Oliver wondered if he could ask Melody to walk with him in the park one morning before work. If she just happened to bump into the man, who knew, maybe it would be love at first sight. Deciding to zero in on the man at the park instead of attempting to contact other eligible men, Oliver figured that his best bet would be to head back to the park later on. If he wasn’t careful, the man might get a restraining order on him. Laughing at the thought, Oliver was glad that he could still maintain a sense of humor.
A bagel shop with some outdoor seating called to him as he realized just how hungry he was. Walking up to the door, he noticed that the boxer was tied to a bench. The owner must be inside in line, Oliver figured. Sensing Oliver, the dog started barking loudly.
“Shh, girl.” Oliver went to the dog and petted her.
“You know, don’t you?” He peered into the dog’s droopy bloodshot eyes. The dog seemed to understand, panting and whining while never breaking eye contact.
“Put in a good word for me, will you?”
“Excuse me.” The owner approached, looking concerned.
“Oh, hi again. I was just getting some breakfast and I noticed your dog here,” Oliver explained.
The man shook his head from side to side. “Listen man, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re kind of creeping me out.”
Oliver could completely understand how that was possible given the circumstances. “I apologize. I understand how this must look, but I’m new around here, and I’m sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way.”
The man seemed to consider what Oliver was saying. Scratching his head, he seemed to let his guard down a bit. “Okay. No hard feelings. And no more dating talk.” He grabbed a table and placed his coffee and bagel down. The man reached for the dog’s leash and untied it, bringing the dog over to the table.
“Mind if I grab some breakfast and join you?” Oliver asked.
“Sure, just remember…”
“I know, I know. No talk about women,” Oliver finished the man’s sentence.
Oliver headed inside to grab some coffee and a bagel for himself. Peering at the desserts on display, Oliver ended up with a bagel and a donut. He walked outside, joining the man at the table. They talked about teaching, sports, dogs. Oliver was more convinced than ever that this was the only man for his Melody. Getting up to leave, Oliver shook the man’s hand and then reached out to pet the dog once more.
“Hey,” the man called out. “I don’t think I caught your name.”
Realizing that he had forgotten to introduce himself, Oliver told the man his name.
“Nice to meet you, Oliver, my name is Adrian.”
Chapter Twelve
Adrian. He was on her mind all the next day. He had texted her earlier, stating that he had a great time, wondering if she would like to take in a late movie after she got off from work. She liked the sound of that, and there was a movie that she had wanted to see. Walking around like she was floating on cloud nine, Cassie smirked at her friend.
“When are Trent and I going to have the privilege of going out with the two of you?” Cassie inquired.
“Whoa, slow down. I’ve only been on one date with the guy!” Melody exclaimed.
“Yes, but he’s been in here several times, too.” Cassie winked.
“We’re going to the movies tonight.”
“Super, sounds awesome, Melody,” Cassie said.
“How do you think Oliver is going to feel about this?” Melody wondered.
Cassie shrugged her shoulders. “Oliver? He’ll be fine, isn’t this what he wanted?”
“You would think, but…”Melody started.
“But nothing, he’s going to be thrilled for you, mark my words.” Cassie seemed so sure of herself.
“I guess.”
Cassie disappeared around the aisle and left Melody alone with her thoughts. Melody was hoping that Oliver showed up tonight, but not at closing. She would hightail it out of here tonight to meet up with Adrian at the theater. Oliver had been scarce for the past few days and she had to admit that she missed him.
Glancing at her watch, Melody noted that there was only about fifteen minutes or so left before closing. She hopped up the few stairs to the backroom; she wanted to freshen up before her date. She grabbed her purse and headed to the bathroom mirror.
“Melody.” It was Oliver.
She spun around and clutched her chest. “You scared me!” She exclaimed.
“Sorry. Look, I feel bad about the way things have been between us and I was wondering if you’d like to get a bite to eat.”
“Oh, Oliver. Sorry.” Her face dropped.
“Sorry, you’re still mad at me or sorry, you’ve got other plans?” His eyes narrowed.
“You’ll be happy to know that I have a date,” Melody announced happily.
Oliver’s jaw dropped. “You what? You can’t be serious. You just went out with him…” Oliver stopped mid-sentence.
“What did you just say? How did you know that?”
“What?” he blurted.
“Have you been spying on me?” Her voice rose in pitch. She advanced upon him, incredulous. “You have! You’ve been spying on me.”
“No, Melody, listen. I just happened to have been coming by to see you and…”
“I didn’t leave here until very late. Why would you come by at that time? You’re lying.” She couldn’t believe this man. What had gotten into him? Why was he acting like a jealous boyfriend? Spying, stalking?
“Get away from me, Oliver, I mean it.” Backing away toward the bathroom stall, Oliver pressed on, coming closer. She didn’t recognize the emotion on his face. Was it anger?
“Get out!” she shouted. He trapped her body against the stall with his own arms, still, without touching her. Leaning in, he came closer, close enough to kiss her.
Melody’s heart raced. She was furious. She punched at him, crying out. The contact was broken quickly as she felt a sharp jolt and then he moved away, toward the back of the bathroom. He didn’t face her. She felt nothing but anger right now.
“You…you…I don’t want to see you ever again,” she cried. “I thought you were my friend,” she sobbed. He turned, but stayed rooted to his spot by the wall.
“I think that would be for the best, Melody,” Oliver admitted, barely whisper
ing.
Backing out of the room, Melody grabbed her bag and then bumped smack into Cassie, who stood there with her mouth agape.
“What the…?” Cassie managed.
“Get him out of here.” Melody rushed past her friend, intent on getting out of the store as quickly as possible.
* * * *
“I don’t understand you. I know you really care about Melody. Why are you ruining everything?” Cassie stirred her decaf coffee.
“I blew it. I just wanted to see her happy.” Oliver drooped his shoulders as he made circles with his napkin.
“You don’t understand Melody, she’s at a fragile point in her life,” Cassie confided.
“I know, Cassie. I do understand,” Oliver stated.
Cassie shook her head firmly. “No, you don’t. Nobody would understand unless they’d been there, you couldn’t possibly get it.”
Oliver sat in silence, thinking if only she knew just how much he did understand. For a second he was tempted to share everything with Melody’s best friend, but who would believe him? She would think he was a nut and usher him out of the store.
“I thought you weren’t in love with her,” Cassie stated quietly.
Thinking for the best possible explanation, Oliver sighed deeply. “Let’s just say it’s complicated.”
“I see that, but Oliver, you don’t know her all that well. How could you have such strong feelings for her?”
Oliver figured that it would seem odd to an outsider. What else could he say? It was pointless.
“Do you want my advice?” Cassie offered.
“Sure.”
“Stay clear of her for a while. Let her sort this all out. Honestly, I’ve never seen her so upset with somebody before, it seems the two of you just aren’t getting along.” Cassie dropped her gaze.
“You’re right about that,” Oliver admitted.
“I’m not sure if things will ever be the same with you guys, but I would give her the space and then maybe eventually…”
Cutting off her words, Oliver spoke clearly. “Forget it. She’s better off without me.”
“How can you say that? You’re a good friend. Just stop following her around and creeping her out, okay?”
“I don’t know.” Oliver shook his head, saying the words more to himself than to Cassie.
“Why do I feel like there’s something that I’m missing here?” Cassie stared at him, long and hard. “What is it that you’re not telling me?”
Oliver glanced up at Cassie and then averted his gaze.
“Talk to me.” Cassie prompted. “Tell me.”
A look came over Cassie’s face as if a light bulb had just been turned on. “Wait a minute! I should have known. You knew Jack, didn’t you? Were you a friend of his or something?”
He supposed that was as good an excuse as any. He nodded. Cassie stood, looking at him. “Wow. You knew Jack. Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you tell her?”
“He made me promise. He asked me a while ago if anything ever happened to him, to make sure that she was happy. Too much time has gone by now, she’ll really be mad at me if I tell her now.” That sounded feasible.
Cassie’s grin went from ear to ear. “Are you in love with her?”
This he had to lie about. “No, it’s not like that. I feel as if I’m on a mission, like I can’t rest until I see that she’s happy, you know?”
“I do now. Tell her, she’ll understand, I promise. Right now, she just thinks you’re a stalker, a creep…”
“Got it.” Oliver put his hand up to stop the charming names from coming.
Cassie scrunched up her brows then, and frowned. “Wait a minute. If you don’t have any feelings for her, then why were you going to kiss her in the bathroom?”
She had seen all that? “I wasn’t going to kiss her…”
“Oh please. I saw you.” Cassie held firm.
“Remember when I said that it was complicated?” After seeing Cassie nod, he continued. “Let’s just leave it at that.”
* * * *
Her mind wasn’t on the date. Oliver had ruined everything. Claiming that she had a headache, she was on the quiet side all evening. After dinner, Adrian had wanted to grab a beer. Melody told him that it would be best if they did it another night. She wanted to go home. Sensing disappointment, Melody told herself that she would make it up to him, that she would be in a better mood the next time they went out. They had gone out a few more times and she had been keeping him at arm’s length.
Adrian walked her to her parking spot outside her store and hesitated. “Melody? Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Is everything really okay?” Concern knotted his brows.
“Yes, I told you, I just have a headache.”
He dropped his gaze to the ground and then back up at her. “Where is that girl from last week?”
“I’m still here, Adrian. I just…”
“What? Tell me.” He grabbed her hand and kissed her softly on the lips. She pulled away ever so slightly, and it wasn’t lost on him.
“I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want.” His eyes were dark.
“Adrian, I like you, it’s just…”
“I feel a but coming.”
He seemed so sad. He didn’t deserve this. She never should have started dating, she wasn’t ready. “Adrian, I like you, I’m just asking to take it slow.”
“Like really slow, Melody? How slow are we talking about here?”
“I don’t know, Adrian.”
“You know, you never told me much about you. Are you divorced? ‘Cause if you are, I get it. I’m divorced too, Melody, it stinks, but I get it, you can talk to me,” he explained.
“You don’t get it!” she called out. “He’s dead, he died.” There. It was out. Adrian dropped her hand and stepped back.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
“I wasn’t ready to, I’m still not ready.” Her head was down.
“Melody. I’m sorry. Come here.” He went to her, pulled her close. She let him hold her. She just stared past his shoulder, unsure of what to do, what to tell him.
He lifted her chin with his finger and leaned in to kiss her gently. After a moment, she pulled back.
“I thought I was ready, I don’t know.”
Adrian put his hands up in frustration. “Melody, I care too much about you. I’m starting to feel things for you that I haven’t in years.”
“Me too.”
“Then go with it, let it happen. Please Melody, give us a chance.”
He stood there with his eyes wide, the pain showing in the lines of his face. “Give me time,” she whispered.
“I can give you time, Melody, I can do that.”
“And give me some space.” She hated to say it, but now everything seemed to be piling on top of her—Jack in her dreams every night, confusing her, sending mixed messages; Oliver trying to kiss her, watching her.
“Melody, I think you’re making a big mistake,” Adrian said. He turned to leave and all she could do was watch until he was gone.
“I know.”
Chapter Thirteen
The hotel clerk didn’t even so much as glance at her. What was he doing behind that desk? A group of people stepped out of the party room. Apparently there was a holiday work party happening tonight. One of the men came over and loudly interrupted the clerk, who had stopped to take a call. The clerk held his finger up, signaling for the man to wait a moment.
“Yes, sir, can I help you?” The man came over as soon as he ended the call.
“Can you see if the manager can open the pool for a bunch of us later?” From the looks of the man, he shouldn’t be hopping into a pool anytime soon.
“Excuse me, I was waiting,” Melody interjected.
“What was that?” The man stared at her.
“I was waiting for this man to help me, I was here first.”
The man put his hands up and laughed. “Okay
, miss, got it, you’re first.”
Irritation was setting in and the clerk glanced back and forth between the two.
“I need to know what room number Oliver is staying in.”
“Oliver? I’m going to need a last name.”
“Oliver Oliver,” she said with a straight face.
“Oliver Oliver?” both men stated in unison. The partygoer was close to hysterics.
“Yes, that’s his name,” she stated.
“Wait, say it again, one more time.” The hotel guest held his side in a fit of laughter.
“Now look here, I’m not in the mood. I’ve had an extremely trying night!” Melody exclaimed.
“Keep your voice down, miss,” the clerk said in a condescending manner.
“Oliver Oliver!” the partier cried out, doubled over. Shaking her head at the man in disgust, Melody continued.
“I want to speak with him, now.” Melody didn’t back down.
From behind her she heard a voice. “What’s going on here, Melody?” It was Oliver, standing there in sweats with damp hair. It appeared as if he had just come from a swim.
“Oliver!” she cried out.
“Thank goodness,” the clerk muttered to himself while the other man was still laughing.
“Let’s sit.” Oliver gestured to the lobby couch.
“Can we go up to your room? I’d like to speak somewhere privately.”
“Are you sure you want to go up there all alone with a stalker?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Knock it off, Oliver. We need to talk.” She followed him across the hotel to his room on the first floor.
Opening the door to his room, he ushered Melody inside and sat on the edge of the king-sized bed. She didn’t want to sit on the bed with him so she stood, pacing the room. Cassie had told her everything; she went home so upset about Adrian, about Jack, about Oliver. Why didn’t Oliver tell her from the beginning? She was starting to believe that the man was crazy the way he was acting lately.
“Oliver. Why did you try to kiss me?” she blurted out the first big question that had been burning in her mind since last week.