“Good morning, John,” Melody says, a lilting note in her voice I don’t understand until she adds, “How was your date with my best friend last night?”
John frowns. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“That good, huh?” I laugh as John’s shoulders hunch. “So, a girl finally resisted the infamous Johnny O’Grady charm.”
“Yes, she resisted it.” He collapses on one of our mismatched kitchen chairs. “She resisted it so successfully that she left the bar last night with someone else.”
“No way,” Melody says. “That doesn’t sound like Kitty.”
“Well, maybe I bring out the heartbreaker in her,” John says with a tragic sigh. “And I really liked her, too. She was so…different.”
I exchange a look with Melody, and she nods.
“I’ll talk to her for you, John,” she says, proving she can read my mind. “See if I can figure out what’s up.”
“Really?” John visibly perks up. “That would be awesome, roomie. You are our new roomie, right? Nick said he was going to ask you, and judging from the way you two were making out, I’m guessing you said yes.”
“Yes, I did.” She smiles my way, her expression so purely happy it takes my breath away.
She’s smiling like that because of me, because she’s coming to live with me and share her life with me, and someday soon agree to be my wife.
“This might be the best day ever,” I say. “Is that crazy?”
“Not crazy. And just the best day so far.” She wraps her arm around my waist, leaning close. “I have a feeling they’re going to keep getting better.”
“On second thought, don’t talk to Kitty,” John says, scooting his chair back. “I don’t want to end up as gross as the two of you. You realize you’re gross, right? Like…offensively in love? Especially to those of us who are currently tragically single?”
“You love being single,” I challenge.
“Not anymore,” he says mournfully. “Now it’s tragic.”
“Sorry about that, Tragic, but can we borrow your car?” I call after him as he heads back into his room. “I need to take Melody back to the hospital to fill out some paperwork.”
“Yeah, no problem. Keys are on the hook by the door.” He shuts the bedroom door behind him only to open it a second later. “And I was kidding about not talking to Kitty, Melody. You should talk to her and convince her that I’m absolutely adorable.”
“Done.” She gives him a thumbs-up. “I’ve got you, friend.”
He beams. “Thanks.”
“Ready to get out of here?” I ask as John shuts the door a second time.
“Ready.” She takes my hand. “And if we’re really not going to get naked today, can we get ice cream on the way home? I think ice cream will make me feel better about hanging onto my V-card for a little longer.”
“Absolutely,” I say with a smile.
“Of course, if I eat ice cream every time I want to jump your bones,” she says in a put-upon voice, “I’ll weigh a thousand pounds by next week.”
I grin. “You’ll still be hot.”
“Thanks,” she says, rolling her eyes before adding in a softer voice. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I promise.
As we head back out into the early morning sunshine, I send out a silent thank you to the universe for bringing this woman into my life. There might still be more bumps waiting on the road ahead, but I’m not worried about them.
We’ll get over them.
Every last one.
Together.
Epilogue
Nick
One month later…
Remain calm, just remain fucking calm, I chant silently to myself, repeating the mantra over and over.
So far, it isn’t working.
I’m not fucking calm. I’m freaking the fuck out.
The evening air is cool and a soft breeze drifts onto the dock from the lake, but I’m still sweating beneath my black button-down shirt. My palms are clammy, and my mouth is bone-dry even though I forced myself to drink a glass of water for every glass of wine Melody and I ordered during dinner.
We each had three.
After three glasses of Pinot noir and the several sips of bourbon I had at the church, I’d usually be feeling no pain, but I’m not even buzzed.
Apparently, this case of nervous jitters is more powerful than alcohol and the sleep-inducing mojo of a pasta dinner combined.
“What a beautiful night!” Melody sings out. Spinning across the faded boards of the boat dock, her long, yellow linen dress swirls around her legs. She looks like one of those girls from the old musicals she’s been making me watch before bed; the ones I pretend to hate but secretly kind of enjoy.
But then I’d probably enjoy picking up trash on the side of the road as long as I got to do it with Mel. The thirty days we’ve lived together have been the happiest of my life by far. I don’t like to think about what it would be like to return to waking up alone.