Saving Mel

by Rye Hart

  Offering my arm, Layla slipped hers into mine as we started for the front door. I craned my head back to make sure my grandmother was okay, but all she did was wink at me. She was a conniving little matchmaker, that was for sure. She’d been waiting to get her hands on my love life for years, and now that she was privy to it, she was doing whatever she could to give me time with Layla.

  And for once, I didn’t mind a bit.

  “You weren’t joking when you said you cooked a mean lasagna. I still won’t be hungry for breakfast when I wake up.”

  “I tweaked my mother’s recipe a bit,” I said. “But don’t get used to it. It’s the only thing I know how to make from scratch.”

  “I’m sure that’s not true. It might be your best, but people who can cook like that can usually cook other things too,” she said.

  “I’m really glad you came over for dinner,” I said.

  “I’m really glad you invited me.”

  “My grandmother really enjoyed having you over. You should stop by more often to see her.”

  “Did anyone else enjoy having me over?”

  She leaned up against her car and looked at me, her deep blue eyes drawing me in. She looked breathtaking in the pale winter moonlight of Montana, and I rose my hand up to tuck a strand of hair back behind her ear.

  “Yes,” I said. “Someone else did enjoy having you over.”

  Our eyes locked and I could see her gaze darting between my eyes and my lips. I cupped her cheek and took another step forward, closing the gap between the two of us as her breath bounced off my lower lip.

  “I’m glad,” she said.

  Our lips connected tenderly and I could taste the cider still on her lips. My hand trailed to the back of her neck, steadying her face against mine while my tongue searched for hers. I felt her hands wrap up into my shirt and pull me closer as my leg slid in between hers, and soon the heat from our bodies was fogging the outside of her car window.

  She tasted like cider and passion and still smelled of my sweat. It rose a carnal passion within me that wanted to take her right up against her car. My hands sank to her hips and pulled her closer to me as her hands slipped around my neck.

  There was nothing except the feeling of her lips against mine and the pale glow of the moonlight encasing our bodies.

  I was losing myself in Layla, and I wondered if she was experiencing the same.

  CHAPTER 7

  Layla

  I couldn’t stop smiling after last night. The dinner was fantastic, that fucking kiss was phenomenal, and everything seemed to be falling into place with this random guy from out of town. Work was dragging by and I had to be there all damn day, but I had the memories of Daniel’s chiseled body writhing against mine to keep me company.

  But the smile on my face didn’t last for long.

  “Hi, Layla.”

  Looking up, I was staring into the eyes of my ex. Michael was standing there with a cheeky grin on his cheeks and leaning up against the counter like he was Mr. Debonair himself.

  “Hello, Michael,” I said flatly.

  “You look great today. New shade of lipstick?” he asked.

  “I’m not wearing any.”

  “Then it must just be that natural rosy tint.”

  “Can I get you something?” I asked.

  Just then, the bell above the door rung and a familiar face walked in. It was Daniel, dressed in a pair of form-fitting jeans that made his ass pop. My heart started fluttering in my chest, both with nerves and with excitement. But Daniel’s eyes fell hard on Michael, and I could tell Daniel was reading my ex’s posture.

  “You can, actually,” Michael said. “You can let me take you out. You know, like old times.”

  The disappointment that rolled over Daniel’s face made my stomach sink.

  “There’s a reason they’re old times, Michael. No, thanks,” I said.

  “Why?” Michael asked. “Are you working all day or something?”

  “That doesn’t matter,” I said. “And anyway, I’m seeing someone.”

  I looked back at Daniel and a smile crossed his face. He winked at me, sending shivers up my spine, and all I wanted was for Michael to move on. I wanted a chance to talk with Daniel since he’d come into the coffee shop, and I also wanted the chance to stare at his beautiful body clad in the tight button-down shirt he’d worn.

  Fuck, that man looked sexy today.

  “What?” Michael asked. “You’re seeing someone?”

  “I am,” I said. “Now, is there a drink I can—?”

  “Who? Who could possibly want to date you in this town after they know I dumped you?” he asked.

  Before I could answer, I watched Daniel reach out and tap him on the shoulder. Michael whipped his head around and looked up at the tall man behind him. I grinned at his reaction. Daniel was smirking down at my ex with this little twinkle in his eye, and with every second that passed Daniel was growing hotter and hotter.

  “Hello. I’m Daniel.”

  “Cool. I’m in the middle of a conversation with my girlfriend,” Michael said.

  “Ex-girlfriend,” I said.

  “Come on, Layla. Just one date. You know you’ve missed all the things I can give you,” Michael said as he turned back toward me.

  “You should leave her alone. This beautiful woman has given you her answer,” Daniel said.

  “And you should mind your own business,” Michael said.

  “Oh, but it is my business,” Daniel said, grinning.

  “And how is that?” Michael asked.

  “Because he is the guy I’m dating.”

  My ex looked back at me before his eyes fluttered over toward Daniel. I was trying to bury a grin on my cheeks while my toes ignited with a fiery passion. It was so hot, how Daniel was stepping up to defend me like that. I wanted to pull him over this counter and take him right here on the floor of where I worked.

  But Michael’s voice pierced my little daydream.

  “You can have my sloppy seconds if you want them, but you should know something. She gives terrible head.”

  My jaw unhinged at Michael’s remark as he threw me a glare, then he walked away from the counter as the patrons in the coffeehouse began to stare.

  “Not from my experience,” Daniel said, grinning.

  A blush rose to my cheeks and I started giggling behind the counter. I dipped my head and tried to shake it off and I felt Daniel’s hand reach out for my own. He wrapped my hand up within his large palm and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it as our eyes connected.

  “Are you all right?” Daniel asked.

  “Just fine. He’s always been a jerk.”

  “Guess that’s why he’s an ex.”

  “For many reasons, but that's one of them. And thank you. For stepping up and saying something.”

  “It’s not a problem. No man should ever talk to a woman like that,” he said.

  “Yes. Well, um—can I get you anything?” I asked.

  “Just a large coffee with room for sugar and creamer,” he said.

  “Nothing fancy today?’

  “Nope. Just good ol’ caffeine. And another thing. Are you free tonight?”

  “Sadly, no. I’m working all day today,” I said.

  “Such a shame. When’s your next day off.”

  “Tomorrow, actually. What did you have in mind?”

  “Lots of things. Be ready for a fun-filled day of adventure. I’ll call you later with the details,” he said.

  “Wonderful. That large coffee will cost you two seventy-four.”

  “If I give you a five and tell you to keep the change, does that buy me a kiss?” he asked.

  I snickered and shook my head before I drew in a deep breath.

  “You don’t have to pay for my affections, Daniel. Just ask.”

  “Then if that’s all I have to do, may I have a kiss before I return to the cold, dark world of Montana?” he asked.

  I leaned over the counter and pressed my
lips against his, feeling his hand come up and cup my cheek. His thumb graced over my skin as goosebumps puckered my body, and I sighed just before he pulled away.

  “I’ll call you later,” he said, as he took his coffee from my hand.

  “Looking forward to it,” I said.

  CHAPTER 8

  Daniel

  I arrived at Layla’s townhome the next day to pick her up. I offered her a cup of peppermint mocha coffee from her shop and she hummed with delight. She was dressed in light-wash skinny jeans and a long-sleeved shirt that draped off one of her shoulders. She was a vision in clothes that were simply relaxed, and my body was already humming to feel her underneath my fingertips.

  “Oh, thank you. That’s so good,” she said.

  “I seem to hear that a lot from you,” I said.

  “Ha-ha. So where are we headed first?” she asked.

  “I figured an early lunch,” he said.

  “Wonderful. I overslept so I haven’t eaten yet. Lead the way.”

  I led her to my car and helped her in before we crossed town. There was this little diner my parents and I frequented all the time, and they always had the best fries. You could get them with many different seasoning salts and you could request them to be extra crispy. My mouth was watering on the spot the moment we pulled up, and Layla was bouncing in her seat with excitement.

  “I love this place. Don’t judge me, but I’m getting an entire plate of fries to myself,” she said.

  “Don’t worry. I plan on doing the same.”

  We walked into the diner and took a seat in the back-corner booth. I wanted to be out of earshot of most people because I had something I wanted to tell her. I was nervous about saying it, because even as I admitted it to myself I knew it was insane. I’d only known this woman for a few days, but I knew she was different. Unlike any other woman I’d ever come into contact with. She was strong and steadfast, intelligent and independent. She wasn’t using me for my money and didn’t even want to talk about work while we were together. She was everything none of the other women in my life had ever been, and I couldn’t just let that go.

  That would’ve made me an idiot.

  “Before we order,” I said, “there’s something I’d like to say.”

  “Okay,” she said. “What’s up?”

  “Hello, you guys! Welcome to Colossal Diner. My name’s Emily, and I’ll—”

  Layla interrupted.

  “Emily. Hello. Thank you so much for getting to us so promptly. I know I’m just going to have water, and I think my date here will probably want the same. But, could you give us a few minutes, please?”

  “Sure thing. I’ll be back with those waters,” the waitress said.

  Layla turned her eyes back toward me and smiled.

  “You were saying?”

  I looked into her eyes, and knew I could never go back. The way she handled that situation was perfect. She was polite, concise, and not once did she insult the woman. I didn’t matter that I wanted soda instead of a water. What mattered was that I had told her I needed to talk with her before ordering, so she diverted an unwelcome scenario to make it happen.

  And all without batting an eye.

  “I don’t want to freak you out, okay?” I asked.

  “Do you even remember yesterday in the coffee shop?” she asked. “There’s nothing you could say that could freak me out.”

  “I just—Layla, I love being around you. I’ve always been a big proponent of creating your own fate. I’ve always subscribed to the theory that nothing is ever concrete except the concrete we mix and pour ourselves.”

  “It’s a good way to live,” she said.

  “But when I saw you in the coffee shop a few days ago, it was like I was drawn to you.”

  Her eyes were dancing, and I could tell she was hooked.

  “I don’t know how to explain it, but I’d never felt that way before. It was like there was this dire need to know you, and it’s what brought me back to ask for your number.”

  “Well, I’m glad you did,” she said.

  “Having you around and looking into your eyes—you’ve changed the way I view fate. There is no concrete I could’ve mixed on my own that would’ve brought the kind of woman you are into my life. And I—”

  The words got caught in my throat. She was hanging onto every word, her hands squeezing mine as she urged me to continue. But I felt my resolve melting.

  I didn’t want to frighten her away.

  “And I’m so happy that I came back. Thank you for saying yes. For changing the way I view fate. For teaching me something about myself that I didn’t know before.”

  “You’re welcome,” she said, smiling.

  “Two waters for you both. You guys ready to order?” the waitress asked.

  “Yes,” I said, trying to change the subject. “I would like a full order of extra crispy salt and vinegar fries and a B.L.T. with avocado, please.”

  “And I would like a full order of extra crispy barbecue fries with a double-bacon cheeseburger,” Layla said.

  “How would you like that cooked?”

  “Medium,” Layla said, “and don’t go easy on the bacon.”

  “I gotcha covered. I’ll get this order in and get it out to ya as fast as I can,” the waitress said.

  Lunch was eaten in relative silence and part of me wondered if my speech had bothered her. She seemed to be enjoying herself, but she wasn’t her usual talkative self.

  It bothered me a bit.

  “Question,” she said.

  “What’s up?” I asked.

  “Do you have actual plans for us today?”

  “Not really. I was flying by the seat of my pants. Why?” I asked.

  “Because if you didn’t, I was going to invite you over to my parents’ house. I sort of told them last night when I was really tired that I would stop by for a bit.”

  “Not a problem. Do they want anything from here?” I asked.

  “Oh, I’m sure they’ll be fine. Thanks for asking, though.”

  We finished our meal and I paid without a second thought, then we were off to her parents’ house. Her father was at work, but her mother and her sisters were all there. They were chatting it up, I guess, while their husbands were raking in the dough, and I could already tell this was going to be a doozy.

  Especially since I recognized one of her sisters from school.

  “Daniel? Is that you?” Ashley asked.

  “Ashley Westin,” I said. “I don’t know why I didn’t put that together.”