Page 117 of Stick Side
Ben:Shawna is arranging a press conference ASAP so I can address the allegations. Hopefully, that will be the end of it.
Ben:I’m heading into the press conference now. I won’t be able to use my phone, but I’d still love to hear from you.
Ben:It’s close to midnight. Are you okay? Did you get home safely? Did you see the press conference?
Ben:Melody? It’s 3 am. I’m freaking out here, sweetheart. I don’t know what’s going through your head right now, but whatever it is, please just tell me that you’re okay. I’m worried. Please?
Guilt surged through her and she hastened to type out a response.
Melody:I’m so sorry to have made you worry. I got home safely but dropped my phone on the floor. It was fully busted.My phone is only just up and running, the number ported to a brand-new device. I’m sorry to know I worried you.
Ben didn’t waste any time responding. She could see the bouncing dots that indicated he was typing out a response.
Uncertain whether she had the emotional energy right now to discuss Ben’s brief portrayal as a derelict playboy or the insecurities it had triggered in her, she quickly typed out another response.
Melody:I’m just running to a meeting. Talk soon.
She sighed a breath of relief before sliding her phone into her purse. Somehow, it didn’t feel like the right time to tell him her lunch meeting was with Nolan.
Melody knew she and Ben would have to talk things out eventually, but it didn’t have to be now, and it didn’t have to be over text. Even though she suspected she hadn’t given him anywhere near the reassurance he’d been looking for, she could at least feel some measure of comfort knowing she’d responded to him and assuaged his concerns regarding her safety.
And she really did have to run. As it was, she’d have to hoof it if she was going to meet Nolan on time.
Grateful for the comfortable shoes that allowed her to walk at a fast clip without risking tripping over her own feet, Melody trotted up to the door just on time.
She went inside and surveyed the quaint little bistro. She smiled at its welcoming atmosphere. She’d never been, but something about it made her feel as though she had.
“Melody!” Nolan called out with a friendly wave from one of the tables in a side nook.
She smiled at his enthusiastic greeting, a feeling of warmth and ease suffusing her as he rose to his feet.
Despite his weeks of overwork, Nolan still looked good. His intelligent ice-blue eyes, styled dark brown hair, and preppy attire spoke of both good genetics and solid grooming practices. His eyes might have held a hint of extra tiredness, and his scruff might look ever-so-slightly less maintained, but these supposed imperfections only added to his appeal. Maybe it was because it made him look more real and less movie-star perfect.
When Melody reached their table, Nolan took a few steps toward her, smiled broadly, and pulled her into a friendly hug. It could have had something to do with the fact he worked in a caring profession, but the man gave great hugs. He somehow knew how to employ just the right amount of gentle squeeze to leave her feeling soothed and comforted without feeling like her personal space had been encroached upon.
Nolan’s arms didn’t feel like coming home the same way that Ben’s did, but there was something heartening about his embrace. He didn’t hold her for overlong, which Melody appreciated, but she couldn’t deny that the brief contact had somehow managed to settle her. It was a very welcome feeling after the twenty-four hours she’d just had.
“It’s good to see you,” Nolan said, retaking his seat. The smile he shot her way was both friendly and admiring.
“You, too,” Melody answered honestly.
Nolan pushed up his shirtsleeves before casually resting his forearms on the table. “I’m really sorry it took me so long to get back in touch.”
“Please don’t apologize,” Melody responded as she leaned in and rested her own arms on the table. “You warned me that you were going to be busy.”
“I know I did,” he answered as he used his hand to push back a lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead. “I’m just sorry I didn’t make time to call or text. My life has been a zoo, but I should have done better.”
“It’s okay,” Melody reassured.
Despite how conflicted Melody was currently feeling about her relationship with Ben, the part of her that was still hopeful they could work things out—in spite of the challenges now smacking her in the face—was sure to point out that, no matter how busy Ben got, he always made sure to reach out and find a way to let her know he was thinking about her. Even when he’d forgotten his cellphone at his photo shoot, barely a day had gone by before he’d reconnected with her. Melody made sure to remind herself that it wasn’t a competition, but it was hard to ignore the fact that Nolan had gone weeks without getting in touch.
“So, what looks good to you?” Melody asked in an attempt to pull her thoughts away from Ben and her surrounding uncertainties. She inclined her head toward the menu she’d seen Nolan holding when she first walked in.
“They have a blue cheese and apple sandwich that looks interesting,” he said with a thoughtful tilt of his head.
Melody smiled fondly—and with a certain measure of relief that trying to kiss her likely wasn’t on his radar if he’d decided to order something containing blue cheese—and sunk into their easy camaraderie in much the same way she would a pair of well-worn slippers. Despite their short acquaintance, there was something about Nolan that made her feel at ease around him, like they’d known each other for ages.
“So, how’ve you been?” he asked as she perused her menu. She wasn’t overly hungry, but she might order something to nibble on if anything caught her interest.
