Page 42 of Stick Side
“We do live in the twenty-first century,” Nolan said with a wink.
“All joking aside,” he went on in a more serious tone, “I really did have a great time tonight. And I would love to see you again.” He surveyed her for the briefest of moments before asking, “What would you say to going on an actual date?”
Melody’s teeth sunk gently into her lower lip. She didn’t give herself time to think before her chin dipped in acceptance. “I think I’d like that.”
Nolan’s answering smile was near blinding. His undisguised excitement was contagious, eliciting an answering upturn of her own lips. “I’ll check my schedule at the hospital and call you?”
“That sounds great,” Melody replied.
Not knowing what else to say, Melody slipped on her gloves and nodded her goodbye before pushing through the front door into the cool autumn evening.
She shook her head, no small bit baffled. Nolan seemed like a great guy, and she really had enjoyed his company tonight, but she couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to the gun-shy woman who had wondered when she would ever feel ready to date again. And now, she was dating not one man, but two? Melody really hoped she wasn’t getting in over her head.
Chapter 18
From the texts of Ben & Melody
Ben:If you could be any Spice Girl, which one do you think you’d be?
Melody:That’s an unusual question.
Ben:But a great one, right?
Melody:Full points on originality, that’s for sure. Lol.
Ben:So, who do you think you might be?
Melody:Do you have a secret love of the Spice Girls that we should be talking about?
Ben:lol. Not that I’m aware of. I just heard them on the radio and thought to wonder which one you found yourself relating most to.
Melody:That makes a surprising amount of sense.
Ben:I thought so.
Melody:Hmmm . . . Let’s see. While I think I might have a small portion of all their alter egos within my personality, I think I would be Emma Bunton, Baby Spice.
Ben:I can see that about you, but I think you’ve got a solid dose of Ginger Spice in you, too.
Melody:Oh yeah? How do you figure?
Ben:Easy. You’re the star, the one I can’t take my eyes off of.
Melody:Really? That’s almost the opposite of the reason I chose Baby Spice. I think I’m often seen as the sweet one who sort of fades into the background.
Ben:No way. You’re center stage. I have no doubt about that. You’ve also got a killer set of pipes.
Melody:Thank you. *blushing emojiWhich Spice Girl do you think you might be?
Ben:I should have realized that turnabout is fair play. That said, in this case, I think the answer’s pretty simple. Given my career choice, I don’t see how I could be anyone other than Sporty Spice.
Melody:Oh, I don’t know. I think you’ve got some Posh in you. ;-) I’ll tell you what I want . . .
Ben:What you really really want?
Melody:Oh my gosh. That’s amazing! I can’t believe you know the lyrics. :D
Ben:What can I say? My sister was a big fan back in the day.
