When she gave me that speech and basically told me to stop being a dick and get my life back into gear, I listened to every single word. She would never want a man who didn’t care about life. She doesn’t deserve that. And, god, when she said my name, it was music to my ears. My whole body erupted as if it awoke from a horrible nightmare. My heart beat harder in my chest as she pushed me to keep on trying. Her words hit me hard and that’s when I knew: I wasn’t going to give up so easily.
If someone had told me a few weeks ago that I would be watching her and Aunt Maggie converse while drinking wine in the living room, I wouldn’t have believed it. But, here I am, completely enthralled by everything that’s happened. I’m still in shock that she’s actually here. As they discuss her job, I study her. The movement of her arms as she expresses her feelings, the curve of her lips as she smiles, the waves of her blonde hair brushing along her shoulder blades. It all adds up to one thing: I’m completely head over heels for this girl and I always have been.
“Roman, do you want to help us in the kitchen?” Aunt Maggie’s voice shakes me out of my daydream. I glance up at her and notice her heading toward the kitchen with Melanie, so I follow.
Wheeling my way inside, the space is a little tight, so I position the chair in the corner. “What do you ladies need help with?”
Aunt Maggie hands Melanie an apron. “Well, nothing really. I’m just finishing up the frosting for the cake and I know you love that frosting.”
I clasp my hands. “How can I deny it? It’s the best part of the cake!”
Melanie laughs. “You sure do love sweets, don’t you?”
Nodding in agreement, I push myself a little closer so I can watch Aunt Maggie show Melanie how to make the frosting. She listens attentively and nods with understanding, soaking it all in. Her forehead creases as she concentrates on the instructions, memorizing the key and crucial points in perfecting the best frosting mix.
Gathering the ingredients, I watch as she mixes them together while Aunt Maggie melts the chocolate on the stove. Her face beams as she churns the mix with the wooden spoon. She peeks at me for a quick moment and I wink back at her.
Aunt Maggie asks, “Hey Roman, remember when you were younger and you used to listen to music at the bakery?”
Melanie laughs out loud and winks at me. “Yes! I remember one time I came in and the bakery was closing, and you were cleaning it up. You were in the back dancing before you noticed me.”
I nod. “Ha! Yes, I remember, I was dancing to Maroon 5.”
Aunt Maggie continues to heat the chocolate. “Roman, go get the radio, just like old times. It’ll be fun.”
“How about we just use my phone and I’ll dock it into the speaker back here. Besides, I can’t really go to the attic right now anyway.”
She hits her forehead. “Oh I’m so silly sometimes.”
Docking my phone on the speaker, I search for my Maroon 5 playlist and hit start. “Sugar” starts to play as the three of us bounce along to the beat. As the song plays, they mix the chocolate and ingredients together in the bowl for cooling. Just before Aunt Maggie puts it in the fridge, I manage to swipe my finger, grabbing a lick of frosting.
I motion toward Melanie. “Want to taste it?”
She shakes her head no. “I can wait for the cake.”
“You sure?”
She nods and removes her apron, handing it back to Aunt Maggie. Aunt Maggie sets the timer and opens the oven, checking on the pork. The intoxicating aroma instantly hits my nostrils, engulfing the room in its wild spicy flavor. She then wipes the counter down and starts to head upstairs.
She pauses and looks back at Melanie and me. “I’m going to rest upstairs for a bit with your uncle. I’ll be back to check on the pork.”
Melanie’s mouth drops. “Oh if you’re tired, I should go—”
“No dear. You can stay and keep Roman company.” She exits the kitchen with a mischievous smile and heads upstairs, shutting the bedroom door.
I face Melanie and nod toward the living room. “Come on, let’s sit by the fire.”
She follows and takes a seat on the sectional, and I pull my chair as close to it as possible. Lifting my butt of the chair, I scoot onto it, sitting beside her. Looking at her, her body displays a nervousness that is so sexy and cute at the same time. Her hands tremble as she glances around the room, looking anywhere but me.
I clear my throat and ask, “So, what do you want to do?”
She still avoids me. “We could put on a movie. I’m sure there’s something on TV right now.”
An amazing idea pops into my head and I know for a fact she would love it. “How about you read to me?”
Her head twists as she stares into my eyes. “Now? Here?”
“Yeah, why not? No one is around, just us. Besides, don’t you want me to find out what happens to that Darcy guy?”
Her face lights up. “Hmm good point. Let me get my Kindle.”
I watch as she steps toward the foyer, grabbing her Kindle out of her purse. “You have your Kindle with you?”
She smirks as she walks back toward me. “Of course, I take it everywhere I go. That’s what us book addicts do.”
Laughing at her admission, I get situated as she sits next to me. Her body’s proximity is extremely close to mine and even if I can’t really move very well, I’m sure that if I did move at all, our thighs would touch.
As she starts to read, her whimsical voice soothes me, lulling me into a tranquil state of peace. Her lips curve around every syllable as her eyes tell the story. I love seeing her so engrossed in something she already knows the ending of. Her sense of enjoyment exudes from her and as I sit next to her, I make sure to soak it all in.
Listening to her speak the words, I relax my body, resting it against the back cushion. At that moment, she slides closer to me; I freeze, unsure of what she’s attempting to do. Her body shifts next to mine and she lays her head against my shoulder, still reading.
The crackling fire heats up the living space as her voice carries throughout the room. I’m sure she must feel my erratic breathing and my heartbeat pounding against her. This moment is so perfect; I close my eyes and take a mental picture, capturing it for a lifetime. As she continues to read, my hand slowly grazes her arm, warming her skin with my touch. The feel of goose bumps under my palm brings a smile to my face. Now I know she feels it too.
******
Melanie slides out of her dining chair as she grabs her plate and follows Aunt Maggie into the kitchen. “Oh, please let me help you clean up.”
Aunt Maggie calls back from the kitchen, “If you insist dear.”
Uncle Vinny and I stay behind, still seated at the table in a comfortable silence. I listen in as Melanie and Aunt Maggie discuss how delicious dinner was, especially the pork. Melanie pries for the recipe but Aunt Maggie is tightlipped. I chuckle at their exchange and catch Uncle Vinny smiling. He grabs his plate and walks over to grab mine. As he bends down to grab it, he whispers, “I like her a lot son. Now, don’t muck it up this time.”
I laugh as he pats my shoulder and heads into the kitchen. Rolling out into the living room, I search for the remote and channel surf, trying to figure out what to watch. A few minutes later, Melanie walks in and points toward the back. “Uh, where’s the restroom?”
I point down the hall. “Sorry, it’s the second door on the right.”
“Thanks.” She smiles just before she turns. Aunt Maggie and Uncle Vinny sit down on the sofa, keeping me company as I wait for Melanie to return.
Aunt Maggie smiles as she takes my hand. “I’m so lucky to have you home with us. And I’m even luckier to have that wonderful woman come visit. She is a treasure Roman. No wonder you’re smitten.”
Worried that Melanie will hear, I signal for them to keep voices low. “Thanks Aunt Maggie. I’m glad you invited her.”
“Well, I know you didn’t have the guts to, so I had to do something.”
Uncle Vinny shakes his hea
d. “Matchmaker at her prime I see.”
She slaps his shoulder. “Of course. Someone’s got to put these two lovebirds together. Throughout the entire dinner, this one over here couldn’t keep his eyes off her. And there were a few times when I caught her looking at you.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t embarrass me, please.”
She scoffs. “Never.”
Continuing our chat, Aunt Maggie veers off about upcoming wedding cake orders and trying to create a better recipe. I listen as she goes on about consistency and sugar ratio until I glance around, noticing Melanie is still missing. Hmm, she can’t still be in the bathroom can she?
Wheeling toward the bathroom, I peek around. “Melanie?”
Her soft voice sounds from the guest bedroom. “In here.”
Following her voice, I find her sitting on the bed, looking at a few picture frames on the nightstand. Her eyes are filled with tears as she traces her finger along the glass frame.
She holds the frame up for me to see. “Is this your mom?”
Staring at the frame, I see it’s a picture of my mom and me at the zoo. Her arms are wrapped around me as we pose in front of a huge water fountain. My heart sinks as I try to remember that time, but it’s no use. “Yeah, that’s her.”
“Wow, she’s beautiful. How old were you in this picture?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Gosh, probably around three or four. My dad is the one behind the camera.”
She wipes the tear from her eye and I reach out to hold her hand. “Don’t be upset. What’s done is done.”
She sighs. “I know. I…I think if I’d gotten the chance to meet your mom, I would have liked her.”
My smile beams as she exposes her feelings. “I think she would have liked you too.”
We glance at the picture for a while longer until I place it back in its spot. “Come on, let’s get out of this funk before I turn into a sap.”
She follows me out and into the living room as we find Aunt Maggie and Uncle Vinny watching one of the Christmas movie classics. Melanie expresses her interest in the movie and scoots over to sit on the sectional. I block her, holding out my hand. “Let’s sit outside for a bit on the porch.”
Her eyes grow wide. “Outside? But it’s freezing!”
I scoff. “No, it’s not.”
Looking for another excuse she glances toward the window. “It’s snowing.”
I let out a low chuckle. “That’s the best part. I love the snow. Grab your coat. Let’s go.”
I guide her outside as she shuts the door and makes her way out to the porch. Staring out to the street, it’s completely covered in powdered snow. The sidewalks are blanketed in the white powder, freshly coated with a new layer. Footprints haven’t even left a trace yet. Thinking back to childhood, I remember that I always enjoyed playing in the snow with my father.
Laughing at a memory, she notices my daydreaming. “What are you thinking about?”
“I remember playing in the snow with my father all the time when I was younger. Seeing it snow now just brings back memories. It’s the small moments that stir the pot, so to speak. Like the first time you touch the snow or the first time a snowflake falls on your tongue. It’s those memories that you always treasure.”
She nods out toward the street. “I can’t remember ever eating the snow. I don’t know, maybe it’s weird, but I’m not really a fan. I don’t like anything that’s cold or wet. The heat is what I enjoy.”
My mouth drops. “You’ve never eaten a snowflake?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Yeah, we’re changing that.” I roll myself down the ramp and onto the sidewalk. Looking back at the porch, I find her standing there, staring at me like I’m the crazy one.
I wave my hand at her. “Well, what are you waiting for?”
She reluctantly walks down the steps and stands next to me. “You want me to eat the snow?”
“I want you to enjoy the snow. Have fun in it. Now, stick your head up and open your mouth like this.” I tip my head backward, closing my eyes, allowing the snowflakes to fall on my face. The cool flakes freeze my face, but what the hell, it’s awesome. Opening my mouth, my tongue sticks out, begging for a flake to land on it. As the taste of the flake hits my tongue, I laugh as it melts in my mouth.
I look back at Melanie as she watches with wonder. “Now you try.”
She hesitates but then gives into my urging, tipping her head back and opening her mouth. She waits in anticipation for a flake to land and when one finally does, her face lights up with a smile. Glancing toward the ground I estimate the snow to be about two inches think, which has caused the wheelchair to get a little stuck.
Slowly reaching to the ground, I tell her to try it again and as soon as she closes her eyes, I stretch my arms to gather up a snowball. I quickly toss it at her and she yelps as it blasts her in the chest. “What the hell? Roman!”
Busting out laughing at her reaction, I reach down to grab another. Just as I bounce up to toss it at her, I’m hit in the face with a snowball. Her laughter echoes throughout the street as I just sit there, shaking the snow off my face. Her laugher is so infectious it sends chills down my spine.
Wiping the last of the snow off my face, I point dead straight at her. “You better run.”
She squeals and steps back further into the front yard. With one hand, I direct the chair to push forward while holding a snowball, ready to fire.
We continue our snowball fight, throwing snow all over each other. I’m too busy trying to dig for snow I don’t notice her approach me, and just before I can slide back, she dumps a huge pile on me. “Hey, I’m handicapped over here! Not fair.”
She laughs while doing a victory dance. “That’s no excuse.”
I have the sudden urge to bounce off my seat and tackle her into the ground. Gripping the handles of the wheelchair I breathe in, gathering my strength to launch myself. I push myself out of the chair and crash into her, knocking us both into the snow.
She shrieks as we land. “Roman are you insane? You can’t go jumping out of the wheelchair like that!”
“Hey, can’t help myself. I see something I want and I go after it.”
My body stiffens after realizing what I just said. Her dark green eyes shine as my heart pounds in my chest. That’s when I notice that I’ve fallen on top of her. Shit. Immediately rolling off of her, I scoot away, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.
She sits up and with a warm smile she pulls me closer to her. “Hey, don’t—”
The front door opens and Uncle Vinny’s voice calls out, “Hey you guys, time for cake. You know Maggie’s been dying for you to try this one. Roman, what the hell are you doing on the ground?”
Melanie and I erupt into laughter as Uncle Vinny comes down to help me back into the chair. As we head back inside, I wink at her and she winks right back at me. Best. Christmas. Ever.
Melanie
AS I RACE OUT of the shower and into my room, I hear the blaring sound of my cellphone ringing. Rushing into the kitchen, I follow the sound and grab the phone.
Glancing at the screen I see Gia’s name flash. “Hello.”
“Hey girl, Brad and I will be there in an hour. Do you need anything?”
Looking around in the kitchen, I check to see if there’s anything that I might need. Walking toward the fridge, I inspect the inside, hoping I have everything. “No, I don’t think so. Just remember to bring your own alcohol.”
“Hun, my boyfriend is a bartender. I could never forget the alcohol.”
I laugh at her response and hang up, rushing back into my room to finish getting dressed. Dropping the towel on the floor, I slip on my bra and panties and head into the closet to grab the dress. The navy blue material clings to its hanger as I slip it off and slide it up my body. Pulling the zipper up along my back, I smooth out any wrinkles. Stepping up to the mirror, I peek at my reflection.
The metallic navy blue material shines under the lig
hts. It’s sleeveless but still covers up my shoulders and neckline. The modest dress stops at about three inches above the knee. Looking sexy and feeling sassy, I’m confident in my choice of style. A pair of black pumps hits the mark, making me look sophisticated and flirty all at the same time. I let my hair down as the soft curls cling to my shoulder blades, cascading down my back. With just a last touch of mascara and a little blush, my outfit is complete.
Glancing at the clock, I see it’s nine thirty PM; everyone should be getting here any minute. For the last minute setup, I gather the snacks, cups, wine glasses, and cocktail napkins, placing them on the dining table. I reach for my TV remote and put on the Times Square New Year’s Eve special. The host of the show announces an upcoming performer as I watch the crowd cheer and roar for the coming of the New Year. A few years ago, I was in that crowd, and it was one of the craziest experiences of my life. I froze my ass off standing in the crowded streets for hours on end, but goodness, it was worth it.
The apartment buzzer rings and I step to answer into the intercom. “Who is it?”
Rob’s voice blares through. “It’s me, open up woman!”
Letting him in the building, I unlock my front door, waiting for him to climb up the stairs. As soon as he gets to the top of the staircase, he freezes and stares at me. “Damn! You got all dressed up for me? Love it, but I prefer you without the clothes.”
I slap his arm and pull him inside the apartment. “Shut up and give me a hug.” We embrace each other for a moment and then head into the living room. “I hope you’re not like that to the women at your job. You’ll end up with a lawsuit.”
He shrugs. “Eh, I’m a lawyer. I have no worries.”
I shake my head. “One of these days, you’re going to meet someone who won’t take your comments as a joke and she’ll bury you.”
His head leans back as he bursts into laughter. “I’d like to see her try.”
I shake my head at his confident attitude and ask, “So, have you heard from Taylor?”
Little Moments Page 19
