The overhead lights bounced off Melody’s shimmering tresses as she nodded. “For a long time. We’d drifted into friendship well before we called our engagement off. It just took us a while to admit as much to each other.”
Ellie weighed her options. She was beginning to think of Melody as a friend, but what did the rules of friendship dictate in this situation? Should she give Melody a heads-up before dating her ex? Ellie’s conscience said yes.
“Okay, well, the thing is…” She took a deep, fortifying breath. “Roger and I are going on a date when he gets back from vacation.”
Her statement hung in the air. Melody’s eyes widened and her eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline. “Roger asked you out?”
Melody didn’t sound angry so much as shocked. Crap. She shouldn’t have said anything.
“He did. We’re having dinner at my place.” Deciding honesty was the best policy, she went on. “I’ve always liked Roger. In school, I had a big crush on him. Now that we’re both back in Bluelick, I realize my crush never completely faded, but maybe evolved into something new. I think he sees me in a new light, too.”
As Ellie watched, Melody’s peaches-and-cream complexion turned a fierce shade of red. “You’re mad,” Ellie said.
“Not with you, no. But I’m mad as hell at him because—because—” She closed her eyes and took a slow, measured breath before continuing. “I can’t even tell you why I’m upset, because I can’t think of a way to explain without breaking a promise. But it’s not because I’m some crazy, jealous ex.” She rubbed a hand over her forehead and stared hard at the wall, obviously weighing her words. “I don’t want to see somebody else’s time wasted.”
Did Melody assume she’d run for the hills as soon as she found out Roger liked to get kinky?
She cleared her throat and stared her very own hole through the wall. “I…ah…I know what I’m getting into.”
The door to the waiting room opened. Sweet little old Ms. Van Hendler, the first patient of the day, toddled in and approached the window.
Melody gave Ellie a strained look and handed her the chart. “I know you think you do, but you don’t. I know I’m not making any sense. Just remember, I’m here for you.”
“What was that, dear?” Ms. Van Hendler piped in.
Melody smiled, “I said, ‘Ms. Van Hendler, we’re clear for you.’ Come on back.” With that, she got up to show the patient into the exam room.
Ellie released a pent-up breath and fanned her flaming face with the chart. That went well.
Chapter Twelve
“Ready, Doc?” Tyler asked, and tossed her onto his bed. He liked the way she looked, lying across his sheets in nothing but a red satin bra and some very small matching panties. When she smiled and nodded, he wrapped a hand around her ankle and started kissing his way to chapter 3. Hopefully they’d get all the way through this time.
He didn’t get far before she tugged her foot away and sat up. “Wait. What are you doing?”
Although he knew damn well what she was getting at, he couldn’t resist teasing. “Doc, if you have to ask, you probably ought to study that guide of yours again.” He made a grab for her ankle. She twisted like an eel and scrambled off the bed.
“You’ve got this backward again. I’m supposed to do you. Tyler, you promised you’d let me take the lead.”
He sighed and lowered himself to the mattress. “I said I’d try.”
“Well, try harder.”
“Okay, fine.” He settled back against his sturdy, hand-hewn oak headboard. “It’s your show.”
“Good.”
Lord, she was adorable, standing there in scraps of red satin, hair tousled, looking like she’d just won a wrestling match. But then her victory smile slipped some.
“Problem?”
Her brow knitted, she bit her lip, and it took every ounce of willpower he possessed not to yank her back down of the bed, crush those pouty lips to his, and take charge until they were both begging for mercy.
“Yes. According to the illustration in my book, you’re supposed to sit here.” She pointed to the edge of the bed.
“Where are you going to be?”
“I’ll be down here, on the floor.” She knelt beside the bed.