Page 18 of Silver Flirt

Melissa’s face flashes on the screen. My heart does a little flip as I swipe to answer.

“Well, hello there, beautiful. I was just about to call you.”

There’s a long pause on the other end of the line. Then, a sniffle.

I sit up straight, instantly on alert. “Melissa? Baby, is that you?”

Another sniffle, followed by a shaky breath. “Bash, I... I’m sorry to bother you at work, but I just needed to hear your voice.”

Fuck. She sounds wrecked.

“Talk to me, sweetheart. What’s going on?”

She’s quiet for a moment. “It’s nothing, really. Just some work stuff.”

I lean forward, wishing I could reach through the phone and pull her into my arms. “It’s not nothing if it’s got you this upset.”

She sighs heavily. “I know. I just...I don’t want to burden you with my problems.”

“Hey,” I say firmly, my heart clenching. “You could never be a burden to me, Melissa. I’m here for you, always. No matter what.”

Another sniffle. “Thanks, Bash.”

I swallow hard, wishing more than anything that I could be there with her right now. To hold her and tell her that everything is going to be alright. “Why don’t we talk about it tomorrow? I’ll get one of the guys to cover my shift. We can grab dinner, maybe go see a movie. Just you and me.”

“That sounds nice,” she says softly, and I can hear the smile in her voice. “I’d like that.”

“Good. It’s a date then.” I grin, already counting down the hours until I can see her again.

We chat for a few more minutes, keeping things light. I tell her about Brett’s visit and the check for Diamond Dreams. She tells me about the dinner she had with her mom. But I can tell her heart isn’t really in it.

As we say our goodbyes, I pause, gripping the phone tighter. “Melissa?”

“Yeah?”

I take a deep breath, the words on the tip of my tongue. I love you. I’m in love with you. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.

But I catch myself at the last second. It’s too soon. I don’t want to scare her away.

“Just...call me if you need anything, okay? Even if it’s the middle of the night. I’m here for you.”

“I will. Thanks, Bash.”

“Anytime, sweetheart. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I hang up the phone, my heart aching for her.

Tomorrow suddenly feels like a lifetime away. I hate the thought of Melissa crying alone in her condo, with no one there to comfort her.

I make a split-second decision. I grab my keys and head back out to the bar area. Brett looks up from his phone, arching an eyebrow at me.

“Everything okay, bro?”

“Can you tell Mike to cover for me tonight? I have to go.”

Brett frowns, concern flickering across his face. “Go where?”

“Houston. Melissa needs me.”

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