The waiter stops by our table, setting down the check in a leather case. “Let me know when you’re ready.”
We thank him as he walks away and I move to get my wallet from my pocket while reaching for the check-holder. Before I can pick it up to view the bill, Mel slams her hand on top of the folder, holding it to the table.
“No. There’s no way you’re paying.” Her jaw is set in fierce determination and I know I have a battle on my hands. “I planned this whole dinner. You offered to accompany me, but this is my treat.” Not so subtly, she tugs on the folder, trying to pry it free from my grasp.
“Melissa, I told you earlier that there was nothing that would keep me taking you to dinner tonight. You may have planned this dinner, but I wanted to be here.” Lowering my voice, I try to persuade her. “Please, Sunny. Let me pay for dinner. You deserve to enjoy your Valentine’s Day.”
Her big brown eyes are locked with mine, and I notice they’ve turned glassy with unshed tears.
Shit, I made her cry.
Without thinking, I reach for her, loosening my grip, an apology already beginning to fall from my mouth. “Mel-”
I quickly realize my mistake as she yanks the check-holder from my grip, both of her hands raised in the air in triumph. “Ha! Yes. I won.”
“Mel, let me pay for dinner.” I plead one last time.
She lifts those brown eyes to mine, a smile turning up the corners of her mouth as she slides her card into the folder. “You get to pay next time.”
Next time?
Does this mean she wants to go on another dinner date with me?
***
The drive back to Mel’s house was spent in contented silence. The entire time, I was replaying the conversation at dinner. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that there seemed to be something different growing between us.
The view of Mel’s porch light emerges as I drive down her long driveway, its light casting a dim glow as we slowly approach her house. My hands around the steering wheel begin to sweat the closer we get to her house. All night I’ve wanted to kiss her, and now that we’re here, I’m not sure I’m allowed to.
This wasn’t a real date, after all.
Putting the car into park before shutting off the engine, I turn to face Mel. “You okay?” I ask. It didn’t go unnoticed that she was far too quiet on the ride back, especially for Melissa, who usually talks the entire ride.
“Huh?” She looks at me, brown eyes blinking quickly. “Oh, I’m perfect.” Her voice is unnaturally high-pitched like she’s pretending to be bubbly and happy. “Thank you so much for tonight, Gabe. It was wonderful, really.” Her hand reaches out and pats my thigh before she starts to grab all of her items from the floorboard. There’s no way I’m going to leave the night here, so I quickly open my door practically jogging around the car to open her door for her.
Helping her out of the car, I escort her up the steps to her front porch. I couldn’t keep my hand from finding the small of her back, my heart pounding in my chest. My hand feels like it’s on fire being this close to her skin.
We reach her door and she pulls her keys out of her clutch, jingling them as she works to find the correct one for the deadbolt. I’m standing inches behind her, close enough to feel her body heat seeping into the chilly air around us. Her perfume, somehow sweet and spicy, reaches my nose and I hold in a groan.
She smells delicious.
She quietly laughs at herself as she continues to fumble with her keys, unable to find the right one. Taking pity on her, I grab her hand, stilling her movement.
“Here, let me help.” Inwardly hating the fact that my voice is rough and gravelly.
Our fingers connect and that touch alone has me wanting to throw everything to the side, say fuck it, and wrap her in my arms.
Mel exhales a ragged, hitching breath, looking down at our joined hands. Slowly, she turns her face up towards me, brown eyes churring with an emotion I can’t place on her.
“Mel,” I whisper, barely audible. The tension between us is palpable as we are locked in this close embrace, neither of us willing to break contact. “Are we still just Gabriel and Melissa?”
“Yes,” she exhales, soft and breathy, chest heaving.
“In that case, I’m going to kiss you.” I don’t hesitate as I lower my lips to hers.
Chapter 7
Melissa
