“That right there is why I’m saying no.”
She turned away from me and stared straight forward as the elevator came to the conference room floor on the fifth level.
“Because I smirked, that’s why you’re saying no?”
“It’s not just that, Jack.” Melanie exited the elevator but didn’t go further than was needed to for me to exit. We stood there in the lobby of Max’s floor, only five feet away from the conference room.
“You put me on edge. You make it hard to think and being a single mom, that is most definitely not something that I need to have happening.”
“That’s not something I want to have happen either.” I tried to take a step toward her but she took one back, creating a distance I didn’t want. I wanted it to be like the other night. When I touched her, she leaned into me, and willingly wanted to touch me back. I wanted that connection back between us.
“It’s not something you can control, Jack. It’s something that just happens when you’re near me. I don’t even know how to control it.”
“Then why don’t you let go of the control, Melanie. One night. That’s all I’m asking.”
“And I told you no, Jack. That’s not something I can give you.”
We stood there, listening to Max and Greg talking in the conference room. The world was going on while we were at a stand-off in an empty hallway. I wasn’t going to let Melanie walk away though, not without getting her to commit to something. At this point, I was willing to settle for anything that she was willing to give me.
“Then what can you give me?”
Melanie was staring at her feet until her eyes traveled up me and met mine. A look I wasn’t familiar with passed across her face and for a moment I thought it was some form of hope and understanding. That I was asking the question that she needed. That I was giving her the option to decide what we were going to do, rather than making the decision for her.
“Coffee.” She nodded her head, as if she was informing herself more than me that this was the decision she was making.
“I can do coffee, Jack. But that’s it.”
“For now.” I tossed her a wink, even though I knew better but it was too much fun not to tease her.
“I’m serious, Jack. Coffee. That’s it. That’s all I’m allowing myself to promise you.”
The look on her face turned solemn and I wanted that glimpse of hope again. So I pushed down the Jack I’d been so used to being my whole life. The one who joked through life and didn’t take much seriously, except for work.
“Then I’ll give you that. Coffee.”
“Fine.” Melanie turned to walk to the conference room but I reached out and grabbed for her wrist.
“Tonight.”
“Jack.” Melanie’s shoulders lifted and then she released a loud breath, before turning back around.
“Tomorrow.”
I smiled at her and then the miracle I’d been waiting for happened. The corner of Melanie’s lip lifted up a bit and she rolled her eyes, knowing that I was playing with her.
I knew she’d want a night for herself before having to sit with me alone for a few hours.
“Tomorrow, Melanie.”
I took another step toward her and this time she didn’t move away. We stood there, my hand wrapped around her wrist and I hoped that tomorrow I’d get to move just a little closer to Melanie.
As much as I wanted it to be through her heart, I’d settle for her touch for now.
Six
I stoodin front of Cafe Lucia, waiting for Melanie to arrive. We’d agreed on meeting after work today, rather than during lunch. I figured it would give us more time, but still wouldn’t feel too much like a date since I was in work clothes. I made sure to wear one of my nice button downs but still be casual. So here I was standing on the sidewalk in my shark taco shirt.
It had sharks wrapped in hard taco shells and was always a hit at the office when I wore it and today was no exception. The first word out of my brother’s mouth was who was the hot date I had tonight. I tried not to smirk but kindly told him it wasn’t a date.
