Page 19 of Her Maine Risk

“I’m just thinking about howsafeI’ve lived my life all these years. I’m sick of being the ‘mom’ of the group, thepredictableone, the one who makesgooddecisions.”

“Melanie, what the hell is up with you?”

“Ashley!” Ally says harshly.

“I don’t mean it in a rude way,” she says. “I’m just flabbergasted.”

“Flabbergasted?” Ally sputters. “Where did that word come from?”

“I know things,” Ash says defensively. “Mel, you can be whoever you want to be. I’m sorry if you ever thought you had to fit into some mold of a person because of us. I…” she trails off, shaking her head.

“Ash, no. It’s me who used that to hide behind. I liked being that person. For a while. But now I need something different. My predictability and structured routine have served their purpose, but I need more. I need–”

“Surprises,” she finishes for me.

“Yeah. Surprises. That’s what I need. Surprises and unpredictability.” A small smile tilts the corners of my mouth up as I stare out at the tall pine trees. They’re beautiful, strong, and steady. That’s who I was. But they also grow, change, evolve, and adapt. And that’s who I want to be. I want to change and grow while still remaining true to who I am.

I just want a new and improved Melanie.

Wait, did I really just compare and contrast myself to a tree?

Yeah, I need a drink.

“Who wants wine?” I ask.

“Do you even need to ask?” Ally asks. “But it’ll be at my house, because you’re coming to dinner.”

“I am?”

“Yeah, and Ryan and I will be there too.” Ash smiles, putting her arm around me. “So, let’s hurry this up because I’m starving, and Jake is making something good.”

“Oh, I forgot he can cook.”

“Yes,” Ally sighs, rolling her eyes. “He’s not just a pretty face and hot body.”

“My mistake.” I laugh.

We take another trip inside with my stuff, and then head off to Ally and Jake’s place. It’s back to normal after their wedding a month ago, and as I stand in her living room, I look out the floor to ceiling windows along the back wall, the reflection of the moon on the lake’s surface capturing my attention.

I can’t believe this is even a real house. It’s a modern log cabin styled home, but definitely not a shack in the woods that would normally come to mind when someone says log cabin. It’s huge, beautiful, and the inside is decorated like it’s straight from a country living magazine – rustic chic.

“Hey, Mel,” Ryan says, coming up next to me, smiling.

“Hey, Ryan.” I smile back, hugging him. “How are you?”

“Good.” He nods. “Mostly because of Ashley.” He smirks, turning to look out at the lake. Those two are like Ally and Jake – totally in love. And I’m happy for them, I really am, but I’m also jealous. They used to make fun of me for reading my romance novels, telling me that none of that stuff is real, and yet here they are, living out their own romance stories.

“I’m glad,” I tell him, and he smiles, nodding.

It’s really not fair that he and Jake are so good looking. Their whole damn family is. Ally and Ash really didn’t stand a chance of denying them.

“So, you’ll be working for our dad?” he asks.

“Yeah.” I nod. “Is there anything I should know?”

“No, you get what you see with him. He’s the best man I know.”

“He seems great. I’m really glad he’s giving me a chance.”

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