Melanie looked behind her to see an older woman headed their way. She was way overdressed for a place like this in a pair of boots with tall heels. A fur shawl draped her shoulder, and everything she wore was designer. And Melanie smelled her fragrance before she made it to them.
The older woman unabashedly stared at Melanie with interest, and Melanie quirked a brow before looking at Noah. He had an exasperated expression on his face before placing on a forced smile.
“Hello, Mrs. Caldwell. How are you?” he greeted the older woman.
“I’m fine,” Mrs. Caldwell said, reluctantly taking her gaze off Melanie. Melanie wondered why she was so interested in her. “I just came down here for a little bit of relaxation, and then I saw you, but I wasn’t certain at first. You’re still in college, right?”
“Yeah, I’m just taking a short break right now,” Noah said.
Mrs. Caldwell gave a smile that gave false cheer before she turned her attention back on Melanie. Melanie had a bad feeling about this woman.
“And who is your friend?” Mrs. Caldwell asked, her sharp eyes taking in every inch of Melanie.
“This is Melanie,” Noah said and pointedly gave no further introduction. “Melanie, this is Mrs. Caldwell, one of my mother’s friends.”
Oh. Made sense. Melanie was trying to figure out why Noah so cordial with this woman when he clearly wasn't fond of her.
“Just friends? You seem like more than that to me,” Mrs. Caldwell said, her brown eyes bright with curiosity. Melanie wondered how long Mrs. Caldwell had been watching them in the restaurant to think they were more than friends. “So, it’s Melanie, right? Melanie…”
“Bryant,” Melanie said, offering her last name.
“Melanie Bryant,” Mrs. Caldwell repeated in a way as if she were trying to memorize the name. Weird. Before the situation could get more awkward, Noah cleared his throat.
“Well, we have to get out of here. We’re on a tight schedule. But it’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Caldwell.”
“Nice to see you again too, Noah.”
Melanie waved her goodbye and walked away with Noah. And though Melanie should have been relieved to get out of that obnoxious woman's presence, it was kind of hard to when Melanie still felt her heavy gaze follow her out the door. It gave her chills.
“She seems likefun,” Melanie said sarcastically, and Noah chuckled as he opened up the car door for her. Once she got inside, he closed the door behind her.
“Just another one of my mother’s nosy friends,” Noah said as he got in the truck. “They’re all so annoying. They’re like the old version of Gossip Girl.” Melanie laughed.
"Don't worry about that old bat, though. Let's go out and have some more fun," Noah told her as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed to another destination.
***
After spending the day together, Melanie and Noah laid together naked in front of the fireplace, tangled in each other’s arms. Melanie's eyes were heavy, spent from the sex she just had with Noah. She laid tucked against Noah's chest, her hands stroking his arm gently.
It was peaceful down here. Unlike Weston, there wasn't the sound of the city life. Honking cars weren't heard, and the sounds of closing doors from people coming and going were gone too. The only things that could be heard here were the fire crackling near them, and the gentle hum of the insects outside. Though Melanie had lived in the city her whole life and wasn't used to the quiet, she found that she didn't mind it too much. Right now, it gave her peace, time to think, and, more importantly, time to spend with Noah.
With Noah working so hard recently, staying late at practice, and having extra practice days on the weekends, it was hard for Melanie to spend quality time with him. Last semester, it had been different. She practically saw him every day, especially because he took her class. But now, everything was different. Melanie hated to sound clingy because she wasn't a clingy person. At least, she wasn't in her previous relationships. But sometimes, it was lonely without Noah there, and it could be frustrating looking forward to spending time with him, but at the last minute, having him cancel. Melanie was just glad that Noah had planned this short trip so they could spend time together.
Melanie glanced at Noah. A week old's scruff was on his chin from not shaving, and his long lashes were tangled together from his eyes being closed. He stroked her thigh languidly. Melanie brought her hand to his face and stroked his jaw, feeling the stubble beneath her fingertips. Noah was so handsome to her, though she could never admit that to someone as arrogant as him. But he truly was with his chiseled jaw and dimpled cheeks.
“What are you thinking about?” Noah asked her without opening his eyes.
“How do you know I’m thinking about something?” Melanie asked curiously.
“Because I can practically hear your thoughts,” Noah said as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head before he readjusted himself, so they were lying side by side on the rug beneath them as they looked into each other’s eyes.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked her again, brushing her messy hair from her face. Melanie sighed, comforted by his touch. She wondered if she should be honest. She wasn’t the type of person who usually wore her heart on her sleeves, but maybe it was the mood of the night, or perhaps it was the way Noah was looking in her eyes like he saw deep inside of her that made her want to be honest.
“You,” Melanie admitted.
“What about me?”
“I was just thinking about how busy you’ve been, and that I’m glad we got to go on this trip together so I can spend time with you.”
