Page 25 of Stick Side
“I’m not sure about this,” Melody voiced. “It doesn’t feel right to go to an event like this when I’ve just agreed to go out on a date with Ben.”
“On the contrary,” Shawna disagreed. “I think it’s rather perfect.”
Melody lifted a doubting eyebrow.
“Firstly, a date isn’t a relationship,” Shawna explained. “As a general rule, unless you’ve been on more than three dates or have started sleeping with someone, it’s not usually assumed or expected that you’re being exclusive.”
Melody darted her eyes over to Annie who nodded her confirmation of Shawna’s assessment. “I would agree with that,” Annie declared.
Melody’s stomach swam with unease. Was this really true? Yet another sign of how unpracticed and out of her element she was where dating was concerned.
“Given your self-described lack of dating and relationship experience,” Shawna continued in a measured tone that made her argument sound all too reasonable, “what better way to flex your muscles and explore the possibilities than to meet a bunch of other guys and let the chips fall where they may? Maybe you won’t meet anyone, and Ben will seem all the more appealing. Or maybe, you’ll meet someone else who is even more compatible and doesn’t come with all the pro-athlete baggage. Either way, it’s win-win.”
Melody wasn’t sure about the chip reference, but she couldn’t deny there was a certain logic to what Shawna was saying.
Melody let out a long and slow exhalation before lifting her shoulders and rolling them back. “I really hope you’re right about this,” she expressed with a combination of hope and trepidation.
“Aren’t I always?” Shawna volleyed back.
Melody took a healthy gulp of the cocktail that had just been placed in front of her. “Usually,” Melody admitted with only minor reluctance, “but I would hate for this to be the first time you weren’t.”
Chapter 10
Melody
Melodyfeltamaelstromof different emotions as she and Annie waited for speed dating to get underway. By turns, she felt curious, reticent, eager, shy, bold, and a number of sentiments that were hard to even name. Predominant among her emotions was a sense of nervous excitement that seemed to zip up and down her arms and spinal column.
She wasn’t expecting to leave tonight’s eventwith a bunch of numbers and prospective dates, but Melody couldn’t deny there was something empowering about putting herself out there and allowing possibilities to unfold. If she was going to confront her insecurities, it couldn’t hurt to get a little more experience under her belt.
Not wanting to be rude while out with her friends—nor have them peeking over her shoulder—Melody had waited to respond to Ben’s texts until she’d been in the cab on her way home from Cellars. The two cocktails had succeeded in loosening her up and making her a little more flirtatious than she might otherwise have felt comfortable being.
Melody:Hey there, Mr. Logan. It would seem we’ve enjoyed parallel evenings. I’m just heading home after drinks with some girlfriends. While I must say they all have rather pretty faces, I certainly wouldn’t have minded seeing you across the table from me instead.
Ben must have been sitting beside his phone because he’d been quick to reply.
Ben:That’s good to hear. Does that mean I might be able to entice you to go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?
She’d responded with genuine regret.
Melody:I wish I could, but I just made plans with a friend.
Melody knew that Ben would be leaving on Sunday—it was easy to know his work schedule, as it was almost identical to her dad’s—so she’d thought to suggest another option.
Melody:How about we schedule something for when you get back from Phoenix in a couple of weeks? At the end of your road trip.
Ben:Should I be worried that you’re keeping such close tabs on me, Dr. McGuire? *upside down face emoji
Melody was glad she hadn’t responded to Ben’s texts while sitting with her friends because she was sure she must have worn a thoroughly besotted expression on her face throughout the bulk of the exchange. She didn’t need anyone to bear witness to that.
Melody really enjoyed Ben’s banter. It wasn’t something she’d engaged in before, but she liked how light and easy it felt.
She’d been thinking up what to say in response to his teasing accusation when he’d sent her another message.
Ben:Since I know you have good reason to know my schedule, it’s a date. :-)
By the time the cab arrived at her place, she’d been ready for bed. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they’d called it a night.
Melody hadn’t heard from him today, but she wasn’t worried about it. She wasn’t sure when they’d go out, but she felt confident they would. In the meantime, she had every intention of enjoying her evening. She was here. She might as well make the most of it.
