Page 24

What time are you thinking for dinner?

I’m so weak, I know. Setting my phone down on my lap, I close my eyes. My hands are shaking from my nervous energy. I jump when my phone pings, and I quickly look down at the screen.

West

How about 7 pm?

Mel

Sounds good.

He sends me a Google Maps link to an address. It’s in a ritzy part of town and looks like a residential address. Interesting.

The rest of the workday drags by—probably because I check the time every five minutes. I’ll have to leave straight from work to meet West tonight, so I’m happy I look my best today. Grey pin-striped pencil skirt with a pink, fitted bodysuit underneath. My hair is freshly washed and blown out, so my curtain bangs and layers are extra bouncy. I even took a little longer on my makeup today to make myself feel better. When you look good you feel good, right?

I finish up responding to some emails for Madden, and then it’s finally time to leave. Tidying up my desk, I make sure my pens are in alphabetical order by color (which is so helpful when you’re in a rush). After plugging my work iPad in, I grab my mini dust vacuum and clean up my area. I also have cute pink drawer organizers for everything and I like to make sure it’s perfect for when I arrive in the morning for a new day.

I do this same routine before I leave work each day… and if I forget, I can hardly sleep that night. I learned this the hard way.

With a satisfied sigh, I stand and smooth my skirt before peeking into Madden’s office. He's sitting behind his large desk and looks up when I clear my throat.

“Hey, I’m heading out. See you tomorrow.” I smile and he smiles back.

“Sounds good, thanks, Melanie!” He gives me a little salute.

I make it down to the metro and find the line I need to get to the address West sent me. It’s 6:30 now, so I should arrive just a few minutes after seven. I hate being late, but I’m sure he’ll understand since I was at work.

During the thirty-minute ride I check my schedule for tomorrow and make sure I added all of Madden’s appointments to his calendar. Before I know it, I’m at my stop and pull up the address West sent me again. Thankfully, it’s just a few blocks from the metro since I’m wearing heels and all.

I follow the address and am surprised when I arrive in front of a gorgeous townhouse. It looks to be three stories high, with a bay window on each level. It’s a light grey, almost white, color and has brick steps leading up to a black door with gold hardware. The townhomes surrounding it are just as beautiful and the lawns are well-manicured.

Is this West’s house? I check the address to make sure I’m at the correct place. Yep, this is definitely the correct address.

I walk to the front door and bring my hand up to knock, but West opens it before my fist hits the door. He has a grin on his face, and his hair looks slightly damp like he recently showered. He’s wearing dark jeans with a flannel button-up shirt and his feet are bare. I feel my cheeks heat. What is it about bare feet and damp hair that feels so intimate?

“Hey Mel, you look beautiful.” His eyes roam from my feet to my eyes, but not in a suggestive way. Just him taking me in as I did to him.

My cheeks feel even warmer at his compliment. “Thank you.”

“Come on in.” He moves to the side and holds the door open for me.

I step inside and my eyes widen. I knew West would live in a nice place; I mean, he’s a multimillionaire and everything. But this place is so cozy and warm, not like the bachelor pad with sharp lines I would imagine a professional athlete would have. The walls on the right are all exposed brick, and the walls on the left are hunter green. There’s a tufted, cognac-leather couch and two matching armchairs in the living area, and instead of a TV, there’s just a fireplace and some family photos displayed. The space is large and open so I can see the dining and kitchen from where I’m standing. The kitchen cabinets are a dusty blue color with modern gold hardware that matches the front door. White marble countertops and stainless steel appliances complete the look.

“Wow, West. This is gorgeous. I’m assuming this is your house?”

He laughs. “Yes, this is my place. And thank you.”

I walk over to the fireplace to look at the framed photos on the mantle. I notice there are several large dark blue stones placed around the photos, and I wonder if he chose them or if a designer put them there.

Glancing over my shoulder, I say, “I was expecting to meet you at a restaurant or something.”

He shrugs. “This is more private. Less fans asking for photos.”

I nod and turn back toward the photos. Most of them are of West and his parents along with his two older sisters. There’s also one of him ice skating with his nephews and another of him and Harrison from college. Then there’s one of me, West, and Harrison from their senior year of high school. It’s prom and we’re all dressed up. I notice West has his arm around my waist and I’m leaning into him, Harrison looks like a third wheel standing about a foot away from us. We’re all smiling at the camera.

“I considered cutting Harrison out of that one, but I knew he’d whine about it.” West says from behind me with a chuckle.

I turn to look at him and smirk, knowing he’s right. “I can’t believe you still have this picture. I haven’t seen it in years.”