It didn’t ring once. It didn’t ring twice. It rang at least six times, and I knew it was Melody.
This was the longest we’d gone without seeing one another in years.
“Mel’s here. Stop worrying. I’m good.” He kissed my hair and walked past me to get the door.
Leaving me to sit with what he’d just said.
thirteen
. . .
Cutler
My cousin Melodywas one of my favorite people on the planet. So she and Gracie both being here with me was as good as it could get.
She’d just graduated with her master’s degree in psychology and was working for a practice in Los Angeles, where she’d attended college. I knew her hope was to someday open a private practice, but for now, she was happy to be working in a field she loved.
“I’m so sorry I missed your graduation,” Gracie said as we all sat outside at the table overlooking the lake. We’d ordered takeout, and we’d spent the last hour and a half catching up.
Melody chuckled as she reached for her glass of wine. “You came to my college graduation. I didn’t expect you to fly home from Paris to see me walk across a stage again and do the same thing.”
“A master’s degree is a big deal,” my best friend reminded her.
“You called. You sent a gift. You went above and beyond. I’m just so happy you’re back home.” Melody set her glass back down and studied Gracie’s face for a long moment. “And nowthat we’re talking about it—my problem was never really with Gabriel. I mean, yes, he could be a pompous ass, no doubt about it. But more than that, I just hated seeing you shrink into yourself for someone who didn’t see you the way you deserved to be seen.”
“Yes. I’ve heard some version of this from everyone who met him. I wish I’d realized it sooner.” Gracie shrugged.
“You were in love, and you were trying to make it work. No one wanted to step on your choices. You’re an adult, making your way in this big world.” Melody chuckled, her gaze full of empathy as she looked at my best friend. “But I was worried about you because I love you. We all do.”
“Well, I’m glad I figured it out before it was too late to get my job back and get my life back on track,” Gracie said.
“Please, girl. You’re the most on-track person I know,” Melody said, turning to me and wincing. “Sorry, BC, you’re the second-most on-track person I know.”
I belted out a laugh. First, because I loved that she insisted on calling me “BC” because I’d told her to stop calling me “Beefcake” when I was in high school, and this was what she’d come up with. And second, because I was definitely not the second-most on-track person she knew. “Good save, Mel.”
“So, you’re going to work here on the family house—which by the way, I can’t wait to go over there and see the progress tomorrow morning,” Melody said. “And then you’ll move to New York at the end of September, back at J&J’s?”
“Yes. I just talked to him yesterday, and they’re excited for me to be there. He’s even got an apartment lined up for the first three months, so I can have some time to check out the areas and see where I want to live. Thank goodness they’re willing to take me back.” Gracie sighed, and it was clear that it was a sigh of relief. I wasn’t going to lie, it stung sometimes that she was so anxious to get out of here, when I was so content having herhere. But I sure as shit would never be the guy to hold her back from her dreams, even if I was a selfish bastard internally.
Melody squealed. “I’m just glad you’re back. And I will come visit you after the holidays, so we can have a real New York girls’ weekend.”
They both turned to look at me at the same time as I tipped my head back and took a long pull from my beer bottle. “What?”
“The look on your face is not giving ‘I’m so happy for you’ vibes.” Melody arched a brow. “What’s that about?”
“What? You’re misreading my face.” I laughed, but it sounded forced. “Of course I’m happy for her. I’m just not in a hurry. Gracie was gone for a long-ass time, and I’ve had her back for a few weeks, so I’m just not ready to start counting down her departure date with you two.” Did my voice have an edge to it?
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Awww… You missed your bestie.” Melody scooched closer to me on the bench where we sat and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “But at least she’s in the same country as you now.”
I chuckled, looking up to see Gracie watching us with a goofy smile on her face. “Yes. It’s a lot closer than Paris,” she said.
“Damn straight.” I nodded. But it wouldn’t be the same and we both knew it.
“So tell me, what’s the latest with your dating life? Is Gracie the best wingwoman ever?” she asked, arching a brow again as she waited for my response.
“We’ve been out a few times, and it’s the same ole thing. I’m not really dating at the moment,” I said, reaching for a piece of watermelon on the platter in the center of the table. “I’ve been in a dry spell, and it’s by design I guess, because I’m not feeling it at the moment.”
