Page 16 of Reclaiming Love

Chapter 9

She felt the tears well up in her eyes as she stormed out.

“Mel. Mel.” She heard his strangled voice behind her but she carried on walking faster, hoping he’d give up and disappear. Then an arm tugged at hers and anchored her. “Mel, I’m sorry.”

She hoped the dark of the night would hide her watery eyes. Saying nothing, she dragged her gaze to meet his.

“I’m sorry. I am. Your friend brushed me the wrong way—her making out like I was putting you down.”

You were putting me down. But Melissa said nothing as he clamped his hands on either side of her shoulders and slowly slid them down to her elbows.

“I guess I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. What with seeing you with that guy earlier.”

“Which guy?”

He huffed out loudly, as if he couldn’t remember his name. “Your boss’s boyfriend.”

Her neck muscles tightened. “Ethan? Why would that make you angry? He’s Nadine’s boyfriend.”

Matt shook his head; the words weren’t coming easy and she could see he was desperate for her to hear him out. “It makes me mad. I can’t explain it. I’m trying.”

She let out her breath slowly. “I can’t get used to your…to your…your moods.” She had to choose her words carefully even now, fearful that she’d set him off again.

To her surprise, he agreed. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m trying to get better at it.”

“Try harder.” She had dared to say it.

“I will.” He still held her hand, and in an instant he seemed to have calmed down.

“Sometimes you say things that hurt and I don’t think you realize how hurtful your words can be.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, inching closer. “Sometimes I feel you don’t take my training seriously enough.”

She clenched her lips together. It’s only a workout.

“You know I’m crazy about you, don’t you, Mel?” He slid his hands down to meet her hands. But Melissa kept her hands tight, not easily melding with his. Though she was reluctantly acknowledging the thaw that was coming over her.

“Do you feel like watching a movie?” he asked.

She stiffened. A minute ago she’d have been totally against it, but he always did this to her. Mixed up her feelings. At a time when she should have been annoyed with him, he somehow managed to pull her guard down.

“We could watch one of those mushy romances you like,” he suggested, trying, but failing to hide his thinly veiled contempt. He took her hand as they slowly started to amble down the street.

She knew he wouldn’t want to do that—but if he was offering, and he seemed to be determined to give up his run tonight. Maybe this time would be different. It was still early evening and this was kind of spontaneous for them. For him. Usually, depending on his regime, all their dates had to be planned with military precision. He was trying his best; she had to give him that.

“You’d watch a romantic film?” She glanced sideways at him, looking at him unobstructed, as he kept his eyes fixed ahead.

“Anything, for you.” He turned his head to look at her.

“You wouldn’t change your mind the minute we got there and switch it to some car-chasing, bullet-pounding, fist-fighting, testosterone-loaded film instead?” Like he’d done before on one of their earlier dates. They’d decided on a thriller that might appeal to them both, since he wouldn’t entertain the idea of watching a girl’s chick flick. But when they’d arrived at the cinema, he’d pulled that big, puppy-eyed look of his and asked if she’d mind watching the new Vin Diesel film instead. So they’d ended up doing that. It wasn’t so bad either, once she got into it—plenty of action and adventure and a bit of a love interest.

He stopped walking and pulled her to his chest. “But if you’d rather not, and if you’re home alone, I could see you home and visit your place, make this a night of two firsts.”

“You’d come over?”

“Sure, why not? You’re always saying it isn’t far. And I’ll apologize to that friend of yours.”

The idea appealed. He’d take her home, and she’d get to go home early. She searched his face. He appeared to be trying and she couldn’t turn him down now, after always trying to get him to come to her place. Not now that he was up for it.

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