“I won’t have any more bruises,” she exhaled sharply. “It’s definitely not going to happen again.”
“Okay.” I nodded and tried to relax a little bit, but it wasn’t easy to just ignore the bruise. “Well fuck, that just derailed everything I planned to say to you…”
“You shouldn’t have kissed me, right?” She lifted her head and gave me what looked like a forced smile. “It was a mistake.”
That’s what I should say, but it just feels like a fucking lie. I guess shouldn’t is true—but…
“I’m sorry, I’ve had a really rough few days.” I shook my head back and forth. “Obviously, that’s no excuse.”
“I’m not having the best one either…” She took a sip of her water and sighed.
I wanted to hug her and take away every bit of pain that I could see in those beautiful sapphire-blues. I didn’t care if it was appropriate anymore. I moved closer and extended my arms. I left it up to her. She could accept the hug or turn me down—there was a moment of confusion—but then she just kind of fell forward against my shoulder. A floodgate opened, and she started crying. I just held her. I didn’t know what else to do. She needed an emotional release, and I let her use my shoulder to cry on. I don’t know how long she sobbed. She felt right in my arms, and nothing on the planet could have made me let go in that moment. When the tears finally stopped, she pulled away and reached for her water.
“I’m so sorry…” she exhaled sharply and wiped her eyes.
“We just have to stop saying that to each other.” I pulled my handkerchief out of my pocket. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” She took it from me and wiped away some smeared makeup along with the last of her tears. “So, from this point forward? No more I’m sorry?”
“No.” I shook my head back and forth. “We’re better than that. You don’t have to apologize for crying—obviously something was wrong, and you needed to let go of it.”
“Then you can’t apologize for kissing me.” She turned her head, and our eyes met. “Because I know you aren’t.”
“No.” I brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “I’m not…”
“But we both understand that it can’t happen again?” She tilted her head to the side. “Right?”
“I’ll give you two choices.” I leaned forward. “Tell me who hurt you—or I’m going to kiss you again.”
“Jon…” She looked down and exhaled sharply.
“I’m serious.” I put my hand under her chin. “You’re either going to tell me who hurt you or I’m going to give you a reason to stay—I’m not letting you leave until I know that you’re safe.”
“I can’t stay—you don’t understand…” She shook her head back and forth.
“Two choices, Melanie. You have to pick one.” I narrowed my eyes. “You were so vibrant and happy—albeit a little nervous—at the engagement party. Every time I’ve seen you, you’ve been confident and strong. Hell, last night you basically walked out on your boss just to get me to leave Chateau Prime. Today, you showed up at my house with bruises. Something is going on…”
“I have a daughter.” Melanie took a quick drink of her water. “She’s four—her name’s Charley.”
I didn’t see that coming, but it doesn’t change anything.
“I’d love to meet her one day.” I nodded. “But a four-year-old didn’t put those bruises on you—unless your daughter is, She-Ra.”
“No.” Melanie smiled.
Finally, a hint of the woman that captivated my attention from the moment I laid eyes on her.
“Did your daughter’s father do that to you?” I tilted my head, and her smile disappeared immediately.
There’s my answer.
“He…” Melanie trembled and closed her eyes.
“Tell me his name—and where he is,” I growled under my breath. “Is your daughter with him? Is she okay?”
“Charley’s never met her father,” Melanie sighed. “I got pregnant in high school, and he dumped me. Four years—and then he showed up last night out of nowhere.”
“Where is he at right now?” I growled again.