Love Notes (Accidental Kisses #3)

by Tammy Andresen

  She didn’t respond. And that was even weirder. Finally, the bubbles popped up.

  Marketing gurus need to make marketing material.

  Well that made sense. But I was honestly disappointed. I tried to think of what I should say that didn’t sound needy or jerky and I finally settled on simple.

  I’ll miss you.

  Again there was a pause. Usually Mel texted back right away. My spidey senses were tingling. When she finally replied, it was a text that I didn’t like at all.

  Don’t worry. Millie and Chloe can hand out the flyers. Plenty of people will know about your shows next weekend.

  I didn’t give a crap about the fliers, I’d miss her. I tried to formulate a response but I didn’t know exactly what to say. I was giving her my honest feelings and she was talking about the band. What the heck?

  After tossing my phone aside, I started packing up for the night but I didn’t feel the same. My energy was gone. I thought about sending her another message. Or calling her. I’d thought we’d left things in a good place earlier today, but she was acting weird.

  Running my hand through my hair, I piled into the van but I was no longer in the mood to perform.

  Which was in stark contrast to the band. They were pumped beyond belief. Despite arriving two hours early to do a rehearsal session, lines were already forming outside the club when I pulled in.

  “Man, this is sick.” Evan pounded on the table with his drumsticks as I walked into the dressing room.

  I shrugged. I was excited about our huge burst in popularity, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d messed up something with Melissa. “Mel does good work.”

  “Yeah.” Evan pounded harder. “For real. How’s the video coming out?”

  “I have no idea.” I wished that I did. Maybe I should have stopped by and just watched her work instead of texting, but I wasn’t sure we were there yet. Were we at the point I could just drop in?

  “Seriously?” Evan gave me an eyebrow wiggle. “I thought you two were glued at the hip. Mel’s the new Nicole, right?”

  “No man.” I felt myself getting irritated. Did Melissa think that she was no different from Nicole? “Mel is the furthest thing from a girl like Nicole.”

  Evan gave a shrug. “I didn’t mean anything by it. Just that you’ve been showing up with her and leaving with her. Mel, that is. It’s how they usually start.”

  Seth jumped in. “No it isn’t. I’ve never seen him publicly lock lips with any other chick the way he does with Melissa.”

  “Mel is different. She’s really cool and together, you know?” And gorgeous and sweet and kind and…I didn’t need to lecture myself. I already knew.

  Evan tossed himself back on the couch, finally done with his table drum sequence. “So you’re going old school and taking her out on dates and stuff instead of just bringing her to shows?”

  That made me wince. Inside anyway. Because I hadn’t actually done anything romantic besides kiss her. “I introduced her to my parents today.”

  “Good idea.” Seth nodded. “You don’t want her to think you’re only after her marketing skills and makeout sessions. Chicks can be sensitive about stuff like that.”

  That made my chest tighten in addition to the wincing. Because I’d asked her to do some marketing after introducing her to my mom and Frank. “You think she’d think that? Because I feel like I act different with her, you know?”

  Seth shrugged. “Maybe. She doesn’t know you’re different. She just met you.”

  I picked up my phone to reread the text messages we’d exchanged. Until I’d said I’d missed her, it had been all about the band. Crap.

  Picking up my phone, I sent another message.

  Want to have dinner with me tomorrow night?

  This time she texted back right away.

  Like a date?

  My fingers paused over the screen for a second before I answered.

  Exactly like a date.

  There was a brief pause and I started to wonder if I was pushing too hard when she texted a single word.

  Yes.

  I grinned.

  Cool. Pick you up at six.

  Melissa

  Chloe and Millie had been in my room for three hours. We’d gone over every detail of the past three days including all the text messages.

  “I swear, he’s really into you.” Chloe nodded, like that proved her point. “He’s probably just bad at dating.”

  Millie scooted forward on the bed as she stared at my computer. “I don’t know him but from what I’ve heard, he doesn’t really do dates. One day he meets a girl and boom, they are just an item.”

  I frowned at my computer screen. That didn’t make me feel any better because we weren’t an item. I’d even resorted to showing them some of the footage I’d shot last night of him singing “Someday Girl.” I’d actually asked if he was looking into the camera like he was singing to me. Pathetic. Both had responded that it was possible, which hadn’t made me feel any better. Now I was editing as we talked. What can I say? Editing soothed me.

  My phone dinged and a message popped up from Derek about having dinner. I didn’t even think I just typed back.

  “Who was that?” Chloe asked.

  “Derek.” I grinned. “He asked me to dinner.”

  Chloe’s nose wrinkled. “Does he want a date or does he want to discuss the band?”

  “I honestly don’t know.” My fingers flew over the screen as I typed a response. I had no idea what Derek’s intentions were. I tried to tell myself that I was cool with just hooking up, but the truth was, I was afraid to ask.

  “Why don’t you ask him tonight? Come to the show with us.” Chloe gave me a hopeful grin.

  But I shook my head. “I really do have a lot of work to do and I don’t know…” I took a breath. “We only end up kissing at shows. Never talking.”

  Millie nodded. “I honestly think it’s a good idea to stay home. It’ll make him miss you. And, if some girl hits on him, we’ll beat her off.”

  I stood then because other girls had not occurred to me. Which was stupid. He was the singer in a band. “Or maybe I’ll meet you guys over there after all. I’ve just got some stuff to finish here first.”

  “Yay.” Chloe clapped her hands. “It’s right in Kenmore Square so you can walk there no problem.”

  “Put my name on the list, would you? So I don’t have any trouble at the door.” I sat back down. “I’m going to try and get this first sequence done. Then I’ll come over.”

  “Will do.” Chloe stood giving my arm a little pat. “I’m going to go primp. See you in a little bit.”

  “Okay.” I stood too. “Thanks for coming. I’m so glad to have you both.”

  They wrapped their arms around me and I hugged them back. As they left, I turned to my screen. I was ready to create.

  I spent the next three hours working on the band’s video. I’d gotten quite a bit done. I thought about bringing it with me, but I decided I wasn’t working anymore. I was showing up in a personal capacity, nothing more. If Derek wanted to talk about the band’s ad campaigns more than our relationship, I was pretty sure I’d have my answer as to where we stood.

  I didn’t change either. Because I wasn’t going as the marketing agent for the band, I was just going to be me. I left the skinny jeans and the boots on but I also stayed with the more conservative silk top. No tank top tonight.

  I did add a little extra makeup. Now that I’d started, I liked it.

  Cutting the line, I could hear the music pumping from the club. As the bouncer let me in, I made my way down the dark hall and then down a set of stairs to where the live music was playing. I slipped into a corner. For at least a little while, I just wanted to watch without being seen.

  The band was rocking it, and I watched Derek as he owned the stage.

  The guy took my breath away.

  Seriously, I could just watch him for hours.

  I didn’t realize how long I’d stayed in
the back just listening until Derek found me in the crowd. There had to be two hundred people packed into the space. How had he seen me? The intensity of his gaze was like a spotlight as it focused on me. No wonder I was confused about where I stood with him. In moments like this, I could swear that he was into me.

  I squashed that thought back down. Maybe that was why I hadn’t wanted to come and then hadn’t wanted to be seen. I didn’t want to get my hopes up again only to have them dashed. I’d come to make sure no one else was making a move, but I was afraid to make one myself.

  Echo Stream was the opening act and as they finished, they started breaking down their equipment immediately, to give the next band space.

  I seriously considered slipping out, but before I could escape he came charging through the crowd. Without a word he hooked his arm around my waist and lifted me up against him giving me a long kiss. “You came.”

  “You did miss me,” I answered breathlessly. ”I got more done than I thought,” If I were braver I would have said that I wasn’t sure where I stood with him and I wanted some answers. Yep, I was a chicken for sure.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” he replied and my already rising temperature skyrocketed. “I’ve got to go help the band but you should stay.”

  One of my eyebrows rose up. “Are you sure? I’m not in uniform. I probably shouldn’t hang with you guys in my current state.”

  He grimaced. “I am such a jerk. Honestly, I wouldn’t care if you were in your Miss Piggy pajama pants. I’m just glad you’re here.”

  That made me giggle. “I’ll help with equipment then.”

  “Do you have your bag?” he asked, glancing on either side of me.

  “Nope.” I shrugged a little. “I just came to say hi.”

  To my surprise, he grinned. “Awesome.”

  I must have been glowing. Because this wasn’t what I had expected at all. And if this had been a test, Derek would have passed with flying colors. Could I have been wrong about him not really being interested?

  Chapter Twelve

  Derek

  We hung out for a while, but honestly, I wanted to get Mel alone. She was next to me, pressed against my side. She was supposed to be there. Yes, I wanted to kiss her some more, but I also really wanted to talk. And this time, the talking was happening first. Otherwise, we’d end up being interrupted before we had a chance.

  “Want to get out of here?”

  She turned to me and one corner of her mouth turned down. “Ummm,” she started.

  I full on frowned. She was different tonight and I didn’t like it at all. But I wasn’t sure how to ask in front of everyone. “I take that as a no?”

  I saw her swallow. “My dorm is only two blocks away. I don’t need a ride and I have more editing to do tonight. I haven’t even started on the Big Brother campaign or my assignment for Monday.”

  Man, now I felt like a jerk again. “Tell you what. What if I come hang while you work if I promise not to interrupt and not to distract you?”

  I could see the indecision in her eyes. I pushed a little further. “I could even do a late-night food run. Help you energize.”

  I saw her relax a little, the line of her shoulders softening. “I’d like that.”

  Standing, I pulled her up too and waved to everyone. “See you guys later.”

  I helped her into the van. “Are you sure we shouldn’t leave it here? We might not find a closer spot.”

  “I think we’ll find a better one,” I said as I closed her door. I didn’t want to tell her this, but I didn’t know when I’d be heading home tonight. I planned to hang for a while.

  Not that I was trying to force our relationship physically. I liked taking it slow. But if we were going to talk things out, we needed more time, just the two of us.

  After climbing in, I started down Beacon Street and found a parking spot that was pretty close. I parked, then grabbed my acoustic guitar on the way out.

  We headed up to her room and I managed to keep my lips to myself during the entire elevator ride. “I wanted to tell you thanks for today. I didn’t mean to spring extra work on you.”

  She shrugged. “It’s all right.” But as she said it, her eyes cast to the ground.

  “I am getting the sense that it isn’t. If you were too busy, just say so.” I reached for her hand.

  She looked up at me then. “Saying no isn’t always my strength. And I really don’t mind helping. It was more…” her words trailed off.

  I tucked my finger under her chin, stroking her cheek with my thumb. “You can tell me.”

  “I guess, I haven’t dated very much and so I sort of thought today was a date. But when you asked me to take pictures, I thought I’d been wrong. That it was just another job after all.”

  My other hand slipped around her waist. “You are the only girl that I’ve ever introduced to my parents. Ever.” I placed a soft kiss on her lips. “It was a date.”

  “Oh.” She gave me a glowing smile. “So we’re…dating?”

  “We are definitely dating.” I kissed her again.

  Her eyes fluttered closed and then slowly opened. “So what does that mean exactly?”

  The elevator dinged and I led her out, knowing exactly which door was hers. “Well, it means dinner tomorrow night but only if you get your Monday assignment finished.” I actually wanted to say it meant we weren’t seeing anyone else and that we’d be seeing a whole lot of each other but I remembered what the guys had said about her being the new Nicole. I wasn’t going to push this relationship so fast. Mel was worth waiting for.

  Once we walked in the room, I gave her one last kiss. “Now, I hear you have some work to do and I have a song to put together, if I don’t bother you.”

  “You won’t bother me.” She slowly pulled out of my arms and walked over to her computer, giving me several long looks as she went. “So this is something we do? I’ll hang and work and you’ll write music?”

  “Ah, yeah,” I said with a sarcastic tone and a wink. “Can’t be all concerts and adrenaline.”

  She leaned toward me, her stare full of something that I couldn’t name but I really loved. “I like this part.”

  “Me too.” I sat on the bed and gave her shoulder a little shove. “Now, back to work with you.”

  With a nod, she fired up her laptop.

  I watched as several screens opened but the one that caught my eye was me. I didn’t have to hear a thing to know I was singing “Someday Girl” and I was looking up at Mel while I did. My face was intense and my eyes…I looked…I don’t know…like I was in love.

  Mel was looking at that same image, her finger hovering over the mouse. I saw her chewing her lip.

  “Do I always look that intense on stage?” I asked.

  She turned to me. “You always look intense.” Her mouth opened again like she was going to say more before she firmly closed it.

  But not that intense. I knew what she wasn’t saying. I felt a little exposed. If I’d needed proof how I was feeling about Mel, I had it. What I didn’t understand was how she could be insecure about us if she’d seen that video.

  “How many boyfriends have you had?” I asked.

  A shade of pink stained her cheeks. “Ummm.” She clicked on a file and a video popped up, this one a splice of the others. Clearly, this was our new ad.

  But I wasn’t going to be distracted. “How many?”

  “None,” she whispered, her eyes locked on mine before she quickly glanced away.

  Realization washed over me. I was glad I’d been taking it slow but I realized I had to up my game. She’d never dated before and the things I thought were obvious might not be so much. “Well, this is a first for me too.”

  Her head snapped back. “How so?”

  I rubbed the back of my neck. “Normally, I rush headlong in and then realize I’m drowning. This time, with you, I want to take it slow. Do it right.” I wanted to kiss her again. But I didn’t. I wanted her to know it wasn’t just about physical
stuff. This…was deeper.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Melissa

  I should have found his assertion that he was doing this right to be comforting. But honestly, I wanted to cry a little. Mostly because I had a feeling I was his version of the plan. By that, I meant that I’d created my perfect life plan with the perfect Harvard guy that looked good on paper.

  I was the girl he could introduce to his parents, and help his band along, and go to charity events with him. I checked all the boxes. We could have quiet work time together too.

  If I was really hot, we’d be doing something else entirely. He sat on my bed…alone, strumming his guitar.

  Not knowing what else to do, I started editing again, losing myself in my laptop.

  I hoped I was wrong. I wanted him to want me. When I watched the video of “Someday Girl,” I could almost imagine he was singing to me.

  A jaw-splitting yawn erupted from my mouth before I could stop it and Derek abruptly stopped playing his guitar. “It’s time for Sleeping Beauty to get her rest.”

  I wanted to protest but I was too tired to be combative. He grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the chair. In a single movement, he swung me up in his arms and pulled back the covers. I almost protested that I was fully dressed and hadn’t brushed my teeth but as he tucked me in—my bed was so cozy—I didn’t have the heart.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow night,” he said close to my lips and then he gave me a soft kiss.

  I threaded my hand into his hair and pulled him down for a longer one. He returned it with an intensity that left me breathless and all my worries disappeared until he pulled away again.

  “I should let you sleep.”

  “Okay,” I croaked as he straightened and walked to the door.

  “Tomorrow,” he repeated and then he was gone.

  I sat back up. We had another date. I shouldn’t worry. But honestly, I was batting out of my league, to use a crappy sports metaphor, and it was messing with my head.

  I did manage to fall asleep and by the next morning, I was feeling better. We had a real date tonight. And I liked the video I was making.