“Yep.” Mel pushed it all out of her mind. “Let’s get another drink.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Mel opened her dresser drawers one by one. Nothing. She let out a groan of frustration. She had to have a few pairs of pantyhose lying around. Her internship started tomorrow, and she needed to look professional. She had to make a good first impression. This internship could lead to a job when she graduated in a few years. She was not going to squander the opportunity.
She smiled to herself. Things were starting to look up. Mel had a chance to do some good at The LSP, even if that just meant going on coffee runs for the lawyers who were doing the real work. And working with Professor Carr outside of the classroom would be an invaluable experience. There was a world of possibilities ahead of her.
If only she could find that pantyhose. Mel tugged open the bottom drawer of her dresser and dug around inside. Sure enough, there were several pairs of pantyhose balled up in the corner. Mel grabbed them, and froze.
Buried beneath all her junk was the silver and sapphire choker with a ring at the front.
Mel’s hand hovered over the necklace as she fought the urge to pick it up. It had been weeks since she’d taken it off, yet she still found herself reaching up to touch it, only to find her neck bare. Mel pulled it out of the drawer and held it up before her eyes. Before she knew it, she had unclasped the back and was fastening it around her neck.
Mel looked at herself in the mirror. The ring sat perfectly in the hollow at the base of her throat. The familiar weight of it was comforting.
Mel sighed. After all this time apart from Vanessa, she couldn’t help but feel like she had made a mistake. All this had started because Mel had been afraid that Vanessa didn’t truly care about her. But hadn’t she shown Mel time and time again that she did? It wasn’t the gifts and the extravagant gestures. It was the little things. Remembering small, seemingly insignificant details about Mel, like how she loved daffodils and the color blue. Listening to Mel talk for hours while they lay in bed together. Letting Mel see that softer side of her that Vanessa didn’t show anyone.
Despite the nature of their relationship, they were always equals. Unlike Kim, Vanessa had respected Mel and her feelings. Vanessa did everything she could to make Mel happy. And that night that she’d told Mel about Rose, Vanessa had admitted that she was falling for Mel.
As Mel fingered the choker around her neck, something that Vanessa had said that night she had given Mel the necklace came back to her. I’m yours as much as you are mine. It was all so obvious now. Vanessa had felt the same way about Mel that Mel felt about her.
And Mel loved her.
Mel had been in love with Vanessa for god knows how long. But fear had kept her from admitting it, even to herself. As she stood there, staring into the mirror, all those fears came rushing back.
No. No more excuses. No more self-pity. Mel steeled herself. Vanessa had always been the dominant one in their relationship. But that didn’t mean that Mel was powerless. It was time for her to take control. She hoped that it wasn’t too late.
Mel looked at the clock. She needed to see Vanessa, face to face,
before she lost her resolve. But it was getting late. And Mel didn’t even know where to find her. Unless…
Mel opened her wardrobe and dug out the clutch that Vanessa had given her for the charity fundraiser. In a small pocket in the lining, right where Mel had put it, was a white business card.
Mel picked up her phone and dialed the number.
“Elena? I need a favor.”
Half an hour later, Elena pulled up at the front of Mel’s building. Within seconds, they were on their way to Vanessa’s apartment.
“Thank you so much for this, Elena,” Mel said.
“Not a problem,” Elena replied.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d want to help me since Vanessa and I… you know.”
Elena shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. She still cares about you.”
Elena’s words buoyed Mel. She didn’t know if Vanessa would take her back. But she needed to speak to Vanessa, if only just to apologize, and to tell Vanessa how she felt. She just hoped Vanessa still felt the same way.
“Don’t worry.” Elena glanced at Mel in the rear-view mirror and shot her a warm smile. “I wouldn’t be helping you if I didn’t think Vanessa wanted to see you. She misses you.”
All Mel could manage in return was a nervous smile. The rest of the car ride passed in silence. When they finally arrived at Vanessa’s apartment, Elena parked the car and got out.
“I’ll let you into the building.” Elena held up a keycard. “After that, you’re on your own.”
“Thanks.” Mel was grateful that she didn’t have to ask Vanessa to buzz her up through the intercom.
Mel raced toward the building, Elena on her heels. Elena swiped her into the lobby.