“What stopped you?” She tilted her head. “I know that’s a personal question, but I’m really nosy. And I think I’ve told you I have no filter.”
I took a sip of my drink. “That’s okay, it’s a good question. I guess I finally realized how wrong we were for each other. I’d been ignoring the signs for so long, but I couldn’t anymore. I still don’t know why he thought he wanted to marry me.”
“Comfort, maybe? If you were together for a while, he probably figured that’s just what you do.”
“I think that’s exactly what it was. And being comfortable is okay, but when that’s all you have, it isn’t enough. Especially when one of you is a huge jerk.”
“You should want more. Even if you’re not a drama queen like me, and I suspect that you aren’t, a good relationship should have at least a little heat.”
My cheeks warmed and I glanced down at my mug. I knew she didn’t mean that type of heat, but memories flashed through my mind—Theo, and me, and the couch…
“Uh-oh,” she said. “Pen. Can I call you Pen? Something happened with Theo, didn’t it?”
“Is it that obvious?”
She sighed with a slight shake of her head. “What is it about those Haven brothers?”
“I don’t know, but I’m worried I made a big mistake. Theo’s moving. Not only that, he made it clear he doesn’t want a relationship. I shouldn’t have…but I did…and it was…but now…”
“But now you caught feelings.”
“Big ones.”
She reached over and squeezed my hand. “Does he know?”
“That I have feelings?” I sat up straighter in my chair and adjusted my glasses again. “No. Oh my goodness, no. I hope not. I’ve been trying very hard to make sure he doesn’t.”
“And you don’t think you should tell him?”
“No.” I glanced down again. “I knew what I was getting into. We both did. It’s not like he ever claimed he could give me something he can’t. I know where he stands. We’re friends, and we…you know… But it can’t ever be more than that.”
“This is heartbreaking.” She pressed her hand to her chest, then started gesturing as she talked. “You’re so sweet, and Theo is such a great guy. Except when he’s doing that guy thing he’s doing right now, which is being an idiot. How can he not see that everything he needs is right in front of him. Literally. You live in his house. You’reright there.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Maybe I’m not what he needs. Maybe he needs to move to South Carolina and be a college football coach.”
She waved that off. “Not a chance.”
I laughed again, but there wasn’t much authenticity in it. I wanted what she was saying to be true. But I couldn’t afford to get my hopes up.
“Well, right now it is what it is.” And I really needed to change the subject. “Tell me more about the cartoon you’re in.”
I had a feeling Melanie knew what I was doing—redirecting the conversation away from anything me and Theo—but she went along with it. She talked about her role, and her acting career in general, plus what it had been like to move back to Tilikum. I had to laugh as she described her relationship with Luke. They’d gotten off to a rocky start. But they’d been through a lot together, and she was obviously happy.
So happy. I wondered what that would feel like.
It started getting late, and she had to get going, so we hugged and said goodbye. Even with my complicated feelings for Theo lingering on my mind, I left with a little spring in my step. I’d had such a nice time, and it seemed like Melanie and I had started an actual friendship—one that would last.
There was something to make me happy.
I went out to my car and checked my phone. I had a missed call, but didn’t recognize the number. They’d left a voicemail, so I tapped to check.
“Hi, Ms. Fallbrook,” a man’s voice said. “My name is Curt Redfern and I’m a friend of the Morris family. If you could give me a call back when you have a minute, I would appreciate it.”
That was odd. I remembered Curt from the celebration of life. He’d been with Gina Morris. I also remembered almost getting caught by him at the gallery when Theo and I had been sleuthing. But why would he call me?
Oh, no. Had he found out we’d been in the gallery and taken one of Edwin’s notes? But that was a month ago. How could he know?
Taking a deep breath, I decided not to procrastinate out of worry, brought up the number, and hit Send.
