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“Yeah, we go way back actually.”
“Oh, that’s right.” He nods. “You’re good friends with her brother?”
“Harrison. He’s my best friend,” I tell him.
He crosses his feet at his ankles. “So, since you go way back, shouldn’t you already know where she works?”
I sigh. “We kind of lost touch for a while.”
He grins. “So you want to woo her?” He raises his eyebrows up and down a few times, making me laugh.
“Basically, yes.”
“I’ll give you Madden’s number and his office address, but promise me one thing.”
“Alright,” I answer quickly, knowing Tom wouldn’t ask something ridiculous of me. At least, I don’t think he would.
“Don’t send her a signed jersey. Trust me, that’s not the way to romance a woman.” He pins me with a serious gaze.
I scoff. “I’d never do that; I’m not a complete moron.” I had actually thought about doing that, so I’m thankful for this piece of advice.
He breathes a sigh of relief and laughs. “Thank goodness. I’ll text you the information right away.”
“Thanks, man, I appreciate it.”
CHAPTER TEN
MELANIE
Monday afternoon, I walk into the office after my lunch break. Madden is traveling home to Kansas on Friday for a few weeks. We have a lot to get done this week before he leaves.
I open the door to the office space Madden rents in this building and my heels clack against the tile as I walk toward my desk. The office decor is sleek and modern, so the grandiose flower arrangement on my desk stands out like someone in Minnesota who doesn’t know how to ice skate.
I stop a few paces before my desk and stare at the exquisite arrangement. Madden appears in the doorway of his office and leans against the doorframe. He has a smirk on his face and looks from me to the fragrant bouquet. Upon first glance, the bouquet is full of lavender and jasmine flowers, but there are also white roses throughout. It smells incredible and is huge, taking up most of my desk. I blink a few times and look from the flowers back to Madden.
He clears his throat, still smirking. “You received a delivery while you were at lunch.”
“Are you sure these are for me?” I ask, staring at the extravagant arrangement.
“Well, they’re definitely not for me.” He chuckles.
I step forward and find a little card peeking out of the flowers. The card just says Mel. Madden grins at me and ducks back into his office. I rip the envelope open and read it.
I’m so sorry about our coffee date being interrupted. You mean so much to me and I hate that we’ve grown apart. Please have dinner with me tonight?
-West
A strange mixture of emotions swirl through me: tears in my eyes because he’s missed me, nervous energy making my hands shake at him telling me how much I mean to him, and flutters in my stomach at the thought of having dinner with him. This many emotions at once is so overwhelming, I take a seat in my white leather swivel chair because I feel a little light-headed. I grab a tissue from my desk and dab at my eyes.
With a deep breath, I pull my phone out of my purse and type out a text.
Mel
Thank you for the beautiful flowers.
Biting my bottom lip, I think about his having dinner with him. My heart wants to, by my head is telling me to be cautious. But would it really hurt just to have dinner with him?
Mel
