Mel nodded, and they headed off down the path. The first mile was quiet, except for the sound of their breathing in the cool air. When Callie slowed to a fast walk, Mel dropped her pace as well, knowing Callie wanted to talk.
“Okay, spill. What is going on? Jake said we’re all helping Noah move tomorrow, and you look like someone killed your cat.”
“I don’t have a cat.”
Callie lightly punched her shoulder. “Very funny, you know what I mean. What’s wrong, Mel?”
Mel sighed, trying to figure out how exactly to say what was in her heart.
“I screwed up, Cal. I didn’t tell him how I felt and now it’s too late. He’s leaving, and I’m getting left behind again.” Mel was frustrated to feel cold tears forming on her cheeks.
“Oh, Melanie, why is it too late? Wait. First, how do you feel? Have you finally accepted the fact that you love that man and his adorable son?” Callie’s response was full of the warmth and gentle encouragement Mel knew she would get from her friend. They’d been through hell together last year when a hostage situation at the hospital put both of their lives in danger. That event had cemented their friendship as unbreakable.
“Of course I love him! How could I not? He’s perfect, he’s amazing and kind and loving, and everything I want. But he won’t believe me if I tell him. Not now, not after I’ve pushed him away, not after I told him we should…”
Now was the chance to come clean. To tell Callie everything. But Mel found herself hesitating. Would Callie be upset? Mel knew she had to just dig deep and say the words.
“We got married, Cal.” At Callie’s audible gasp of surprise, Mel hurried to explain. “For Connor. We got married for Connor. Noah’s lawyer said it would look better to a judge if Noah was married, and since we already had this crazy fake engagement, I offered to take it one step further. But I told him I was only doing it for Connor.” Her tears started to fall once again as she finished with what she felt had been the final blow against any possibility of Noah believing her now, if she were to tell him she loved him. “I told him there was no other reason for me to marry him, except to help with Connor.”
“Married, wow. Mel, that’s a big deal,” Callie said, surprise still coloring her voice.
Mel let out a huff. “I know. And I was the idiot who suggested it. Honestly, all I was thinking about was helping Noah make sure Connor stayed with him. He didn’t agree right away, I guess his lawyer convinced him it was a good plan. Of course, to her our engagement is real so why wouldn’t we get married right away. We’re meant to be in love.” She laughed, but it was a sad, broken laugh. “The stupid thing is, we are. At least I am, and Noah used to be. I just didn’t figure it out until it was too late. By the time I realized I was being an idiot and I was the only thing preventing us from being a happy family, it was too late. Noah agreed to marry me, but only to save Connor, and then he wants an annulment as soon as the custody stuff is over. I missed my chance.”
“Who says you only get one chance?” Callie replied indignantly. She came to a stop and grabbed Mel’s shoulders. “Look at me, Melanie. We’ve been friends for a while. We’ve seen each other through some crazy stuff. That earns me the right to be brutally honest with you, right?”
Mel couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, it does.”
Callie nodded. “Good. Listen up, girl. This is not over. That man loves you and so does his son. You two are mean to be together, hell, I’ve known that since I first saw you together. If you really think he won’t believe your words, then maybe he’ll believe your actions. You have to show him that you love him and make it impossible for him to move on.”
“But how do I do that, when he’s moving out tomorrow?”
Callie sighed dramatically. “I can’t give you all the answers, Mel. You’re going to have to figure that one out on your own.” She pulled Mel in for a hug, and whispered in her ear, “But I’m here for you no matter what. You deserve love, Melanie Haynes. And you’ll get it.”
* * *
Moving into his new house was quick and painless thanks to all of his friends pitching in to help. It also didn’t hurt that Noah was moving from a one-bedroom apartment into a massive four-bedroom house. He would need to go shopping for some new furniture eventually, but for now, his room and Connor’s room were set up.
The girls were in Connor’s room discussing decorating themes, while Jake and Chase went out to pick up some beer and pizza. Noah and Ryan were in the attached garage, taking apart boxes. Noah needed someone to talk to and seized the perfect opportunity.
After he finished stuffing the last piece of cardboard into the recycling bin, Noah sat down on the bottom step that led up and into the house.
“Ry, how did you get Anna to open up to the idea of love again. I mean, her ex seriously fucked things up with how he treated her, so how come it was so easy for her to fall for you?”
Ryan snorted. “Have you met me? I’m easy to love, bro.”
“I’m trying to be serious.”
Ryan stopped what he was doing and looked over at Noah. “What’s going on?”
“I love Melanie.”
“No shit. I’ve known that, hell we’ve all known that for months. The only person who seemed to ignore that was Mel. What changed?”
Noah sighed. “Where to start? She saved my ass, Ry. She took me and Connor in, without question, and helped me figure this mess out right from day one. She’s my best friend, and she’s the woman I want for the rest of my life.”
“Right, and she swore off relationships thanks to her ex. Man, what is it with these assholes fucking up our women?” Ryan shook his head.
Noah made a noise of agreement. “There’s more, Ryan,” Noah said as he looked down at his hands. “We got married.”
