Page 22 of Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets)

“Just know, unexplainably, I do love you. You probably think it sounds stupid since we’re practically strangers. But I do. “

Melissa couldn’t speak past the lump in her throat. Connor led her to the brightly lit parking and rested against Channing’s car. While they waited for him to finish paying, he held her. Closing her eyes, she leaned her face into his chest and inhaled deeply. She couldn’t understand, but she could swear she knew that smell. A sense of familiarity settled through her, and she squeezed her eyes tighter together trying to place it.

“Melissa!”

Well, she knew that voice. Her eyes opened to see a shocked Julie staring at her from the parking space next to them. She had never heard the car pull up.

“Wanna get your butt in here and explain?”

Looking between Connor and Channing, who was walking outside, she nodded and headed around to Julie’s passenger side door. The moment she was in and the windows were rolled up, she looked at her friend nervously.

“I was going to ask you who in the hell was that guy you were wrapped around but let me rephrase the question. Who in the hell are those guys? As in more than one, Mel. Are you seeing both of them? Why didn’t you tell me anything? People don’t cuddle in public like that unless they’re serious.”

“It’s complicated, Jules.” Her conversations with Sarah and Ev exploded into her mind. God, how hard it must have been for them.

“Complicated, my fucking ass. You tell me. I’ve never known someone so hell bent against two men in a woman’s life. Weren’t you just saying something the other—Oh. My. God! Is that the guy from the restaurant?” Julie stared at Channing as he stood by the driver’s side door waiting on her. He looked just as nervous as Melissa felt. “Oh fuck, it is! Mel, start talking. I’m a lawyer; you’re not going to get out of this one, so don’t even try.”

“Jules, something happened. I’m leaving town.”

A gasp came from Julie’s mouth. “Whoa. Slow down. You’re not going anywhere. What could you possibly be running from? Them?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. I shouldn’t be gone more than a few weeks. I just need to get my thoughts in order.”

“Why can’t you do that here? What’s wrong with your house? Do you need to stay at mine?”

“They live there now.” Melissa rubbed her eyes so the tears wouldn’t come. Even if she didn’t know these men, having to fight her feelings for them was starting to get harder and harder. “Listen, Jules. I can’t say anymore. I’m leaving, and thanks for the invite, but it’s not nearly far enough away.”

“Oh, fuck me. Melissa, I might sound like you did days ago, but something is definitely going on. Tell me. You’ve changed. Everything’s changing. Shit, I think I need a drink.”

“Everything’s fine. What’s this drinking thing, Jules? Do you need to talk about it? I mean, you’ve been drinking a lot lately.”

Her eyes shot over to Melissa. “I don’t have a problem if that’s what you mean.”

“Just checking. You can call me anytime. You know that, right?”

“Enough about me. What about you? Where are you going? Why can’t you just kick these men out of your house? Call Stephen.”

“I can’t do that, Jules. I…I’m connected to them. A part of me…You know what, I have to go. My men are waiting.”

“Your men? Mel! You’re acting a lot like Ev and Sarah. They have ‘their men,’ too.”

Melissa opened the door and struggled to give Julie a smile. “I guess if it were anyone but me it wouldn’t be so bad. It would be more like a dream, I guess. They’re both really great guys. I just can’t believe what we have will last. Anyway, I’ll see you in a few weeks, Jules.”

Shutting the door, she walked to Channing’s Mercedes and got in the passenger side. Connor got in the back while Channing also climbed in. No one said a word as they drove back to her home. She absolutely hated this. The feeling of being torn seared her insides. The amount of anger she felt when Jules started ripping into her made her furious. She knew her friend felt concerned. Hell, she’d done the same to Sarah and Ev. But the need to protect her men came first. That was the part that drove her to want to leave faster. How could she already be so attached?

Pulling into the drive, she barely waited for the car to stop. Melissa raced up the steps and unlocked the door, rushing to her room. She needed to call Sarah and fast. Pulling out her phone she dialed and waited.

“Sarah.” She whispered quietly.

“Mel, is that you?”

“Yes. I need you to do me a favor. I don’t have time. I’m leaving town, and I want you to tell Hanna to take care of my clients until I get back.”

“Don’t do it, Mel. You can’t stop it. Don’t make this harder for yourself.”

“I love you, Sare-bear.”

Melissa hung up the phone and turned to grab her laundry basket. Connor was standing at her door. A light scream yelp left her before she could stop it. How had he opened her door without her hearing?

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