by Dena Blake
“My name’s Doug Haskell, and I’m in the computer-science program. I’m taking this class because it’s one of the requirements.”
“Hmm.” She touched her finger to her lips. “So you’re only taking this class because it’s a requirement. What do you plan to do with your computer-science degree after you complete college, Doug?”
“Be an application developer.”
“That’s fair. How about the young lady next to you?”
Angie peeked around the monitor.
“Yes, you.” Mrs. Thomas motioned for her to sit up.
Angie sat up and immediately saw recognition in the instructor’s eyes.
“Go ahead. Tell us about yourself.”
“My name’s Angie Calabrese. I’m in the computer-science program too. I’m taking this class because I want to create beautiful places for people to visit on the web.”
Mrs. Thomas nodded slowly. “Have you taken a web-design class before, Angie?”
“No, this is my first, but I’ve created a couple of websites on my own.” Angie shifted nervously in her seat as the woman moved toward her and tilted her head curiously.
“Do you think you can learn something in this class you don’t already know?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” she shot back.
Mrs. Thomas gave her a ghost of a smile and strolled back to the front of the classroom. “Good. We’ll see if we can help you improve on what you’ve created.” She fixed her eyes on the girl sitting next to Angie and dipped her chin, motioning for her to speak next.
“You are so screwed,” Doug mouthed to Angie, pumping his fingers into the side of his fist with a huge grin on his face.
“I’m going to kill you,” she mouthed back, narrowing her eyes and dragging her finger across her neck.
After they’d finished the introductions and had thoroughly reviewed the syllabus, it was nine o’clock. When the instructor dismissed the class, Angie grabbed her book and flew out of the classroom. She didn’t want any more one-on-one interaction with Mrs. Thomas.
*
Izzy jumped when Angie tossed her book onto the counter and flopped onto one of the stools in the kitchen. Doug followed her in and sat down next to her.
“How was class?” Izzy asked.
“I am so fucking screwed.”
“Watch your mouth.”
“She’s right. She’s screwed.” Doug grabbed a slice of sourdough bread and bit a chunk off.
“It’s only the first night. What happened?” Izzy dropped some pasta into a couple of bowls and ladled sauce over them.
“That crazy customer. The one you spilled pasta on the other night.”
Izzy nodded. “What about her?”
“She’s my instructor.”
Izzy stared. “No way.” She slid the bowls of pasta in front of them.
“Yeah. It was great.” Doug laughed as he twirled spaghetti on his fork. “Angie got all cocky with her. I thought the lady was going to grind her gears right there in front of everybody.”
“That’s priceless.” Izzy laughed.
“It’s not funny. She’s going to hate everything I create.”
“No, she won’t. I’ve seen what you can do. She’ll love it.”
“You just had to go and spill pasta on her.”
“It’s not like I did it on purpose. I called and apologized.”
“You did? But she was such a bitch.”
“She still didn’t deserve to have pasta tossed in her lap. Maybe a little salad.”
“That’s your opinion.” Angie raised an eyebrow.
“And that’s what counts around here, right?” She pinched her lips together, holding back a grin.
“Yeah…right,” Angie said as she let out a huge laugh.
“Dougie, get her out of here.” Izzy chuckled and snapped a kitchen towel at her. “Go do some homework or something.” Izzy turned to Tony after they left. “You don’t think she’ll hold it against her, do you?”
“Maybe.” Tony’s voice rose slightly.
“Shit. I hope not, or I’m going to have to do some serious groveling.”
“Humph.” Tony grinned. “A little humility might be good for you.”
Chapter Three
Mel’s stomach gurgled loudly as she and Nancy drove from McDonalds to Arby’s, and then to Starbucks. They’d been working all morning on a last-minute project, and her stomach was making it painfully clear she’d skipped breakfast this morning. The project had been thrown their way by a long-time acquaintance and current competitor who couldn’t seem to handle the load. They had barely taken a break to go to the bathroom since seven this morning, let alone eat something. She certainly couldn’t complain about the referral, but it would have been nice if she’d had more notice.
Mel thought she’d never get Nancy out of the car. She had to have a burger from McDonalds, curly fries from Arby’s, and a frappuccino from Starbucks, all of which had cost Mel close to twenty bucks.
Nancy carried the food into the conference room and divided it while Mel put straws in the drinks. “You know you shouldn’t accept referrals this late in the game. This project should’ve been done weeks ago.” Nancy unwrapped her burger and took a big bite.
“I know, but we can always use the business.” Mel took the top bun from her burger and scraped the massive amount of catsup from it. She ate about half her burger and tossed it back into the bag. “This food is terrible.” Bella’s would’ve been so much better for lunch and probably cheaper.
“It’s not that bad.” Nancy took another bite and continued to talk in between chews. “You want to grab a drink later? We can go to the microbrewery. They have great burgers there.”
“Another burger?”
“Then you choose.”
Despite how she felt about going back to Bella’s, the food called her, thoughts of linguine Bolognese floating through her head. The phone call she’d received from the head chef, Izzy, yesterday had thrown Mel off guard. She’d asked Mel not to judge Angie by her behavior the previous weekend. She’d admitted her sister was a hothead and didn’t control her tongue well, but she hoped Mel wouldn’t let that impact her assessment of Angie’s schoolwork.
“No, the microbrewery is okay,” she remarked.
The fact Izzy had risked losing Mel’s business to look out for her little sister provoked a bit of admiration in her. Putting family first went a long way with Mel, and it tugged at her heart just a bit. She hadn’t let anyone new into her life in a long time and the thought of letting this strong, compassionate woman in scared her more than she wanted to admit.
*
The bar was busier than they’d expected. Nancy pushed through a few people and found them a couple of seats at the end of the bar.
Mel waved down the bartender and ordered two glasses of chardonnay. She always felt a little funny ordering wine in a microbrewery, but she wasn’t in the mood for beer tonight.
“This day seemed twice as long as it needed to be,” Nancy said.
“I know, but isn’t it exhilarating knowing we still work so well under pressure?”
Nancy lifted a brow. “That’s not the way I like to work.”
“Thanks for pitching in and helping me get it done.” Mel reached over and squeezed Nancy’s hand. Nancy was Mel’s best friend and biggest ally. She had been ever since college.
“You’re buying dinner.” Nancy grabbed the menu from the holder and flipped it open. “Will you order me a cheeseburger and fries? I need to run to the ladies’ room.”
Mel had just put in the order for a grilled chicken sandwich and a cheeseburger with a large order of fries when a young body dressed in a charcoal skirt and jacket slid onto the stool next to her.
“Hey.” The woman smiled and flipped her long blond hair over her shoulder.
“Uh, hello,” Mel said when she realized she was talking to her.
“I haven’t seen you here before. Are you new to the area?” She leaned back and
crossed her legs, letting her skirt pull up and expose a good portion of her thigh.
Flattered, Mel held back her grin. “No. I just haven’t been here in a while.”
“My name is Ashley.” She held out her hand.
Mel took her hand, surprised at how soft it was. “Nice to meet you Ashley. I’m Mel.”
“Is that short for Melanie?”
“You’re very intuitive, Ashley.” She smiled, not wanting to burst the young woman’s bubble. Nancy would take care of that. She could see the look of amusement on Nancy’s face as she approached. Nancy loved to play the role of the possessive girlfriend whenever Mel attracted an unwanted suitor.
“I think you’re in my seat,” Nancy said firmly, prompting the perky twenty-something woman’s smile to vanish. “That’s right. She’s with me,” she said, and the girl slid off the stool.
The girl laid a business card on the bar in front of Mel, then leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Give me a call sometime.”
“Seriously?” Nancy stared her down as she left. “The audacity these girls have now is beyond me.”
“She did mention she’d been waiting for you to leave so she could sit down.” Mel chuckled as she egged her on.
“She and I are gonna have a talk.” Nancy flipped her red hair back on her shoulder and turned to go after her.
Mel grabbed her arm and held it. “You’re taking this a little far, aren’t you?” She raised an eyebrow. “Considering we’re not actually a couple.”
Nancy let out a short breath. “She doesn’t know that.”
“Sit down and finish your wine. Your burger will be here soon.” She watched Nancy as she assessed the perky blonde who had since taken a seat at the table from where she’d come.
“She’s still checking you out.” As were the rest of the girls at the table.
“Please?” Mel let the word out slowly. “I’ll put my arm around you and rub your back to make it look good.” Her voice turned sugary sweet.
“Fine, but what’s with that?” Nancy slid onto the stool, and Mel put her arm around her just as she said she would.
“What’s with what?”
“You have the girls lined up and I’ve got nothing.” She threw up her arms. “It’s not even a gay bar.”
“It’s like being the girl who doesn’t like cats…the cat always wants to be in her lap.”
“I don’t think that analogy works in your case.” Nancy bumped her shoulder. “Face it, Mel. Whether you like it or not, you still give off a vibe.”
*
“Jack, you shouldn’t have.” Mel opened the Harry Winston box, took out the two-carat diamond pendant necklace, and let it dangle for all to see. Everyone’s eyes flew wide at the jewel. Mel hid her indifference as best she could. She couldn’t get excited about Jack’s gifts anymore. They were just one more substitute for what she really wanted from him…his time. He was leaving on another trip Monday but had promised her his sole attention for the weekend. That was the only birthday present she was looking forward to: a chance at getting the passion back between the two of them.
“You deserve it for putting up with me.” He took it from her hands and fastened it around her neck. It hung midway down her chest between the spaghetti straps of her black silk dress. “It doesn’t do you justice.”
She smiled, but his compliments didn’t have the same effect on her as they had in the past. She’d heard one too many of them over the years as he went out the door headed to another assignment. His work was still the most important thing in his life, and she’d grown tired of competing. She would never be enough to keep him home.
They were just bringing out the fruit-filled birthday cake when Jack’s phone buzzed at his waist. Watching his hand pull it from the sheath, Mel heaved a sigh and tossed her napkin onto the table. “Jack, you promised.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing.” He shrugged, pressing the phone to his ear as he got up from his chair.
“Then don’t answer it,” she said when the waitress set the cake down in front of her and lit what seemed to be a million candles. She waited for her family’s rendition of “Happy Birthday” to end and took in a deep breath before blowing out the candles. The waitress started cutting the cake.
Jack came back to the table, and the waitress handed him a large piece.
“Can’t.” He raised a hand in refusal before leaning down and kissing Mel on the cheek. “Sorry, honey, I’ve got to go,” he said, without a twinge of regret in his voice. “We’re taking off earlier than expected.”
“But I thought we were going to spend the weekend together before you left.” She couldn’t hide her disappointment. Ignoring her plea, he grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door.
Mel popped up out of her chair and followed him. “Jack, it’s my birthday.”
“I gave you your present.”
“I don’t want this present.” She fingered the necklace hanging from her neck. “I want you.”
“Mel, don’t do this.” He pinched his lips together.
“Do what? Ask for a little bit of your time? Time that you promised me?” Her anger began to build inside.
“We’ll have plenty of time to spend together when I get back,” he said with such nonchalance, she couldn’t stand it.
“What? One or two days before you get called out again?” The restaurant was quiet, too quiet. She could feel everyone watching them.
“It’s my job, Mel. You know how it goes.”
“I hate it.” And I hate you for loving it so damn much.
“I have to go straight to the airport. We’re leaving in a couple of hours.” He pushed through the door.
Then it dawned on her. He was packed and ready to go. “You already knew about this.” She shook her head. “You had no intention of spending the weekend with me.”
“I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.” She rebuffed him when he stepped back inside and tried to kiss her on the cheek. “I’ll call when I can.”
Mel waited by the door as it slowly closed, then glanced back to the table. Her family quickly veered their wide-eyed gazes to their plates of cake. She wanted to bolt right then. She was suffocating. The happy façade was becoming too much for her. She would make an excuse for Jack, as usual. But they wouldn’t accept it, and she wasn’t up to defending him again.
She had to get out of there, if only for a few minutes. She weaved through tables in the dining room and headed for the bathroom. As she passed the side door to the kitchen, she saw the open back door and slipped out into the alley.
Izzy spotted Mel going out the door and followed her, wondering what was going on. “You shouldn’t be out here.”
Mel didn’t turn. “I just need some air.”
“The air quality is probably better out front.” Izzy lifted the lid of the garbage bin and tossed a bag inside, grimacing as the rotten smell floated into her nostrils.
Mel swung around, swiping the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I can’t go out front. He went out there.”
Shit. This is all I need. Izzy tried to ignore the woman’s tears. She turned to go back inside but couldn’t leave her like this. Mel might be a bitch, but Izzy wasn’t heartless. “Are you okay? I mean, can I get somebody for you?” Izzy stuttered. She wasn’t good at this kind of stuff.
“No, I’m fine.” She looked up, and Izzy was taken by the vivid green eyes she’d tried to ignore in the past. They shimmered with tears but were still captivating.
“You don’t look fine.” Izzy reached into her pocket, pulled out a cloth napkin, and handed it to her.
Mel took it and smiled slightly. “It’s just a little overwhelming in there right now.”
She smiled back. “It must be nice to have so many people who care about you.”
Mel let out a low sob, fell into Izzy’s arms, and began to cry uncontrollably.
“Double shit,” Izzy said, reluctantly holding her. “Guess that was the wrong thing to say.” What the hell ar
e you doing here, Izzy? You sure as shit don’t want to be this chick’s shoulder to cry on.
“I’m so sorry,” Mel uttered, still sobbing. “I was so awful to you the other night.”
“It’s okay.” She let her fingers trip lightly up her back and then patted her softly. I am so fucking screwed.
“You must think I’m crazy.” She pressed into Izzy’s shoulder. “The way I acted before, and now this.”
“Not totally.” Mel pulled back slightly. When Izzy saw her soggy green eyes again, she felt a familiar pang inside. I’m the one who’s crazy, letting you get to me like this. She led her to the edge of the concrete barrier by the loading dock and sat with her arm around her until Mel got control of herself. “I’ve had one or two of these days myself.” Thoughts of her recent break-up flashed through her mind as she took the napkin from Mel’s hand and blotted her tear-streaked cheeks.
“How’s your mother?” Mel asked softly.
“She’s doing all right,” Izzy said, a little surprised by the question. When Bella first got sick, customers asked about her all the time, but in recent weeks, not too many still inquired. “Thanks for asking,” she said reluctantly as the sadness crept up her throat, stealing her voice.
Bella used to greet all the customers personally. It was one of her joys in life. Then about six months ago, she was diagnosed with lupus. Now because of her swollen joints, the Italian matriarch rarely came into the restaurant. Even though Izzy visited her mother daily on her way to work, she missed her presence at the restaurant immensely. Her long hours in the kitchen weren’t quite the same without her mother’s constant uninvited, yet loving, advice.
“Next time you see her, tell her I miss her smiling face.”
“Now you have to suffer with mine?” Izzy regained her composure and pulled her lip into a cocky half-smile.
“Suffer isn’t quite the word I’d use.” Mel smiled, and the startling glimmer Izzy remembered shone in her emerald-green eyes again. It was a glimmer that had entranced Izzy from the very first time she’d seen her walk into the restaurant. She was definitely a handful, but a beautiful one.