Page 47 of All Inn Thyme
Allie shakes her head angrily. “What a prick.”
“I told Ty.” I put my face in my hands. “I really like him.”
“I think he really likes you, too,” Beth hedges. “Would that be so bad?”
“I mean… yeah. I can’t…That’s just not for me. I thought I was happy with it just being me and Kase, but everything has changed.” I reach for one of the blankets on the back of the chair and pull it around me, needing the comfort.
Allie pours two glasses of wine and hands me one. I reach over and take a sip, grateful for the distraction.
“Look, Mellie, the fact that you let him in and told him why you’re here? That’s huge. You felt safe enough to do that for a reason,” Beth says.
“I’m trying to open up more.” He’s become a safe space for me, and a place that both thrills me and scares me at the idea of becoming more with him.
“I just want to make sure you know that we’ve all got your back, whatever you need. No matter what,” Allie says. “And if you need us to take a little trip and throw him off a cliff, well… I’d be open to that.” She teases with the last part.
I nod and grin. “I know. And I love you guys.”
“I don’t blame you for kissing him. I’d climb that guy like a freaking tree if I were you.” Allie sighs dreamily, breaking up the seriousness of our conversation.
The sip of wine I just took nearly goes up my nose when she says this. I wipe my mouth and laugh gratefully for the lighter topic. “I kinda want to do that, too.”
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Beth asks.
“I don’t know. I’m nervous.” I shrug.
“What are you going to do about it?” Allie asks.
“Nothing. What if this was a mistake? This is why I need you guys to help me fix this. We should just be friends. If I start something with him, it just makes everything even more complicated.”
“Start something? Honey, it’s already started. You’re in the shopping cart pending now. It’s begun. I don’t think you could stop kissing him if you tried,” Allie says.
I laugh a little at the shopping cart analogy, but I know it’s true. I want to kiss him again. I want to hug him, feel his arms around me. That’s the truth. But do I deserve this life that I am living?
“What are we fixing?” Beth asks confused. “There’s nothing broken here. You’re single. He’s single. Go for it. Climb that tree like a squirrel, babe.”
“I don’t know. Maybe we should come up with a plan. Figure out what to say and do so it doesn’t happen again.”
Allie laughs. “I don’t know what to tell you. I think you should do it again and again and aga—”
“No! I can’t do it again. I shouldn’t be kissing or climbing him.”
“Where’s he at right now?” Beth asks, looking around.
“Work.”
“Why’s his truck still here?” Beth asks.
“He rode his motorcycle.”
Beth fans herself. “And how does he look on that?” Her eyes cut to Allie, “I mean… I’m asking for a friend.” Beth and Allie burst into laughter.
“You two are not helping.” I groan and bury my face in my hands. “I’m in a pickle here.” Allie opens her mouth and my eyes cut to hers. “Don’t say it…” I warn, and she closes her mouth and smiles.
“You know, you could use a little fun, Mellie,” Beth says. “Or with Ty, maybe a lot of fun.”
“There’s nothing wrong with a little kissing… or more,” Beth adds.
“He’s a really good kisser,” I admit.
