Unexpected Admirer (13 page)

“Melissa, what happened?” her mother asked.

“I fell through that board on the porch.”

“I thought William was going to fix that. Well, she’s showing it tomorrow. We’ll need to fix it.”

“Patsy, I’ll head up tomorrow after school and take care of it,” William called from the driveway.

Her mother nodded as Melissa made it into the house.

“Melissa,” he called to her as he headed up to the door. “Jesse wanted you to have these.” He handed her the keys to the truck. “He wants you to drive it until we get you something else.”

She took the keys and put them in her pocket.

“I’ll pick you up in the morning, if you’d like.”

“Go home, William. I’ll be fine,” she said as she passed by her mother and went into the house to sit down.

Melissa hobbled to the kitchen and pulled down a glass to fill with water to take her prescription. Her ankle throbbed, and her anger was making her sick to her stomach.

“What was all of that about?” her mother asked as she walked into the kitchen.

“What?”

“You were rude to William.”

Melissa filled the glass and proceeded to fight with the lid on the medicine bottle. “William Scott has a unique way of meddling in other people’s business where he doesn’t belong.”

She continued to struggle with the lid until her mother took the bottle from her and opened it.

“Thank you.”

“Where is Jesse?”

“I have no idea. My car broke down. William had to come and get us, and he took Jesse to the airport and didn’t even wake me from the back seat to say goodbye.”

Melissa swallowed back the pills, and her mother closed the bottle.

“William’s feelings are hurt. He’s had eyes for you since high school. Of course this is going to upset him.”

“Well, I’m over it. A nice, young man wants to be with me, and I have this nut job pushing him away.”

Her mother leaned against the counter. “How do you feel about Jesse?”

Melissa huffed out a breath. “I really like him.”

“That’s all that matters. He’s good people. I can see that.”

“So why can’t William just let me be happy?”

Her mother set the prescription bottle behind the sink. “If you choose Jesse, William will be happy for you. But, for now, he’s not used to sharing you.”

“Sharing me? I’m not his to share.”

Her mother touched her arm. “Just be considerate of his feelings.”

Melissa didn’t need to hear that. William was not part of this relationship she was having, so he needed to butt out.

She adjusted and started out of the kitchen. “Jesse wants me to go to L.A. for his final concert after Thanksgiving. Would you mind keeping Jonah?”

Her mother smiled. “You’re going to go stay with a man?”

“Don’t make me feel like some teenager who doesn’t…”

“I didn’t say it was bad. I think it’s time for you to move on.” She smiled.

“I like him, Mom.”

“I know. Go to bed. You’ve had a very long day.”

Melissa nodded and made her way, slowly, down the hall. She sat down on her bed and lifted her foot up.

Jonah appeared at her door.

“Hey, kiddo. You should be in bed.”

He rubbed his arm. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, just sprained my ankle.” She adjusted the pillows, putting one under her foot.

“I heard you tell grandma that you were going to go to see Jesse.”

She let out a deep breath. “Yes. He asked me to visit him.”

Jonah nodded. “I like him mom. He treats you good.”

That was certainly a lot for a young boy to think about. She patted the bed next to her, and Jonah crawled up next to her.

“I don’t know that it will work out—long term, that is.”

“Why?”

“We don’t come from the same kind of life.”

“People learn to adjust. We learned to live without Daddy.”

Melissa pulled him close to her. “You’re right. We did.” She kissed the top of his head. “I like him.”

“He likes you, too. He told me that he’ll call you tomorrow, and Bryce will make plans for you to visit.”

Melissa pulled back and looked at him. “You talked to him?”

“He called to check on you. He says I can call him anytime, too.”

“Don’t you go bothering him.”

“Mom,” he whined. “I won’t.” Jonah jumped down from the bed and walked to the door. “Mom, I think it’s cool that he likes you. Not just because he’s Jesse. Well—but, because he’s Jesse.”

She laughed. “I understand.”

He gave her a wave and headed off, just as Melissa’s phone rang.

“Hello, Jesse,” she said softly.

“How are you? Did you break it? I would have said goodbye, but…”

“I know.” She settled against her pillow. “William was in rare form today. I’m sorry.”

“He’s watching out for you.”

She let out a sigh. “I’m a grownup. I can do that for myself.”

“What about your ankle?”

“Sprained. I’m on crutches for a little bit, but I’m okay.”

“That’s good.” He went silent for a moment, and Melissa even checked the signal on her phone to make sure the call was still connected. Then she heard him breathe. “I still want you to come see me. But I’d understand if…”

“Jesse, I’ll be there.”

“Really?”

“I miss you already.” It felt good to admit that aloud, only now it left a hollow feeling in her chest. The thought of them on the couch, his hands on her skin, his mouth against hers…she had to remember to breathe.

“I’m glad to hear that. Hey, Bryce is going to call you tomorrow to set up your trip.”

“Okay, I’ll make sure to answer.”

He laughed. “I can’t wait to hold you.”

Her heart rate kicked up. “I can’t wait either.”

“I know I promised I wouldn’t say it again, but, Melissa, I love you.”

She wasn’t sure what to say in response. She knew that the feelings she had for him were shifting in that direction, but to say the words…

“I’ll let you get some rest,” he said quickly. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Good night.”

Melissa was surprised when Bryce called before she’d left for school. He was a thorough assistant.

She’d leave the week after Thanksgiving to attend the final show of Jesse’s tour. Just thinking about it made her hands shake. It was very clear that she’d be staying with Jesse at his house. Everything would change then. Everything.

Before she left her bedroom, she took one last look in the mirror. Was she ready to completely be with another man?

Was this the right step?

Could she give her heart, her body, and her son to a man so much younger than her?

She put her hand to her chest. She wanted to.

Now all she had to do was go to school and tell William she needed a couple days off so she could go to L.A. and sleep with Jesse.

As she stood there, looking in the mirror, her cheeks flushed. Of course, she’d never use those words, but that would be what he heard.

She waited until the end of school to approach William, mostly because he’d avoided her all day long.

When she hobbled into his office, he wasn’t there.

“He said he was going to head up to your grandfather’s and fix the porch. Your mom called and said they had an offer on the property,” his secretary said as Melissa stood there balanced on her crutches.

That was some of the saddest news she’d ever heard, and it had to come from the secretary.

She puffed up her cheeks and let out the ragged breath that had built in her lungs.

It looked like she was taking a drive up the mountain.

William was crouched on the front porch when she pulled up to the house. He looked over his shoulder and hurried toward the truck as she wiggled her way out of the seat.

“What are you doing up here?” he started in. “You shouldn’t be out here. You should be home with your foot up.”

“I needed to talk to you, and you were already gone.”

“Maybe I didn’t want to see you.”

The thought had crossed her mind and now, standing in front of her grandfather’s house with her foot freezing in the snow, she realized she should have just waited until tomorrow.

“I needed to clear some time off.”

“You came up here to ask for time off?”

“The Thursday and Friday after Thanksgiving.”

He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “That’s next week.”

“I know it’s short notice.”

The look in his eyes changed from consideration to realization. “Where are you going?”

She took a breath to calm her nerves. “L.A.”

His jaw tensed, and he took a step toward her. “You’re going to him? You’re going to be with him?”

“Yes.”

“You’re leaving your son home so you can go have a weekend of sex with a man who will never love you like I do?”

She couldn’t help it. Her hand came through the air and across his face. And the moment she’d smacked him, she covered her mouth.

“I’m sorry.”

He rubbed his cheek. “I deserved it.”

“William, what happened to us?”

“Jesse Charles.”

She shook her head. “He didn’t ruin this.”

William dropped his hand and took another step closer to her. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.” He touched her cheek with his frozen fingertips. “Go. See what it’s all about.”

“Really?”

He nodded and stepped in until their bodies nearly touched. “I’ll be here when you come back.”

He leaned in and brushed his lips to hers.

The shock should have had her pushing him away, but she was so confused she didn’t know what to do.

He rested his forehead to hers. “Go have your weekend and then come home to me.”

“This isn’t just a weekend.”

He pulled back. “Come back and marry me.”

This time she did shove him back. “You’re telling me you think so little of this that I’ll go have sex with a man and then come home and marry you?”

“He’s not the right man for you.”

“And you are?”

“I’ve been the one here. I’m the one who has taken care of you and Jonah. I have your best interest at heart.”

“So does Jesse.”

“He’s young.”

“He’s mature.”

“He’s going to hurt you. When he does, I’ll still be here.” He turned and walked back to the house.

Melissa fell back into the seat of the truck and quickly drove away.

The man was delusional. Did he really expect that if she was going to go spend the weekend with a man that she’d hurry home and marry him?

Was this what everyone would think?

Was she now just some whore?

Tears began to well in her eyes.

Well, to hell with everyone then. She was going to Jesse. And if he broke her heart then she’d live with that, but not because William Scott said he would.

And she’d be damned if she’d consider marrying William now.

Chapter Eleven

Thanksgiving came and went. Melissa and Jonah had sat and watched the parade, which was tradition, and her mother had put out a lovely spread. The only thing missing this year was William and his mother.

She hadn’t had it in her heart to invite him, and he hadn’t asked.

He’d stayed away from church and again, unless he had to talk to her, he didn’t even come near her at school.

Monday morning she limped around her classroom. All she wore now was an ankle brace, but she was hoping that by Thursday, when she flew to L.A., she wouldn’t need it.

Melissa was situating the room for the lesson she’d present six times that day when there was a knock on the door.

She turned to see Emmy standing there in all of her bohemian glory.

“How’s your ankle?” she asked.

“Much better.”

“I hear you’re leaving to fly out to L.A. this weekend.”

Melissa plastered a smile on her lips and nodded. “Yes.”

“I think you’ll have a great time.” She moved into the room. “I was thinking, if you’re up for it, I’d love to give you a makeover. I’m working over at Heidi’s Salon after school.”

Melissa laughed. “I didn’t know you did that, too.”

Emmy sat down on the top of a desk and adjusted the many bangle bracelets on her arm. “Artist in many forms. Anyway, I figured, not that you don’t look beautiful, but maybe I could give you a California look. You know—not a Colorado winter look.”

She hadn’t thought about it. She was sure she was in for culture shock.

Emmy stood. “Besides, I suppose you’ll be photographed a lot. We might as well show them just how beautiful you are. Again, not that you’re not.”

That had brought up a point Melissa hadn’t thought about. She’d be with one of the biggest names in the music industry. Did she think this would be an intimate time with Jesse? Yes, she had.

Emmy stood and quickly walked to her. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. I just hadn’t considered the part where I’d be seen.”

Emmy laughed and her eyes softened. “You see him differently than the rest of the world sees him. You’re in love with him.”

She was desperately in need of sitting down.

“This is all so crazy. Maybe I shouldn’t go.”

“Like hell!” Emmy quickly covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. I mean, yes you should.”

“I don’t feel so well.”

Emmy patted her on the back. “You’ll be fine.” She stood back up. “Now, can I ask you for a favor?”

“Sure.”

She moved in closer. “If you’re serious about Jesse, will you help me get William to notice me?”

That brought a genuine smile to Melissa’s face. “Really?”

“Yes, really. Until he knows you’re okay, he’ll never look my way. But…I really like him.”

Melissa thought perhaps it was that his ears were burning because he walked through the door at that moment.

“Can I talk to you?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at Melissa.

“Sure.”

Emmy lifted then dropped her shoulders. “I’ll let you be. Can you come by today about five?”

Melissa nodded.

“I’ll see you then.” She walked by William. “Have a good day, Mr. Scott.”

But it was as if he never heard her. He walked right up to Melissa and threw down a newspaper.

“You’re not going!”

“How dare you…”

He shoved the paper toward her. JESSE CHARLES AND SUPERMODEL GIRLFRIEND TO MARRY