Things would be difficult to explain the next time he saw Melvina, but the problem was that he hadn’t been able to find her. Riley had gone to the café several times, but she had either been swamped in the back baking or out running errands. He went to the library once out of desperation, but with no luck. He couldn’t even check out a book because he didn’t have a library card. The librarian didn’t seem impressed when he handed her his business card, and instead insisted he have something besides a driver’s license to prove residency. Montgomery County was apparently strict about people living in the district.
He was getting frustrated, and his baked goods purchases were starting to show around his usually taut middle. Every time he entered the restaurant looking for Melvina, he walked away with a sizable box of treats. He loved her frosted cupcakes and was absolutely addicted to her pecan pie. Riley also wanted to talk to her about adding some of her desserts to Braised’s menu in addition to explaining Celia’s kiss at the Blossoms’ office. He knew Melvina had seen them. But she’d torn out of there like a bat out of hell and he didn’t get a chance to explain that it was a one-sided situation.
Seeing Melvina sidled up beside Manny in his restaurant was a punch to the gut. True, they weren’t dating, but there was something special about this particular woman. From the moment he’d taken her in his arms on the dance floor, he knew he wanted to get to know her.
She had that girl-next-door beauty and a heart of gold. From the chatter he’d heard around the café, she was single, and for some strange reason, she’d been that way for a long time. And now, suddenly, she was here in Braised with the town fire chief, who was Magnolia’s number one bachelor, or so Darcey at the restaurant had said. Raphe had given him that tidbit after chatting up the waitress on a cupcake run for the firehouse.
Riley wanted to take Melvina out. They shared so much in common and he wanted to find out more about her. He couldn’t help but feel that she liked him too.
Damn! Now, I’ve blown my chance.
He wouldn’t have put it past Celia to have orchestrated the entire charade, knowing Melvina was on her way. She’d no doubt put on a show just to seal the door shut on any opportunity he might have had with Melvina. Damn Celia Lockwood and her meddling ways.
When he’d first seen Melvina at Braised, he thought maybe she was looking for him. Maybe her brother Eli, Darcey, or Pop had told her how many times he’d stopped by looking for her. But then he noticed Manny, who seemed to only have eyes for Melvina, and something squeezed his heart like a vice.
Riley could admit that Manny wasn’t bad to look at, and he had influence in the county, so why wouldn’t Melvina fall for him? Most women were impressed by Riley’s success in the restaurant biz or his television persona, though he avoided the media thing now. He didn’t care for all the hoopla of reality TV. But the only thing Melvina seemed impressed with was his ability to cook, and damned if he didn’t like that about her, too.
He’d remembered how much she liked the champagne the afternoon he spent with her at Bubbles, so he’d sent a bottle to the table. He wanted her to enjoy her time in his place, with or without the fire chief. With the laughter he’d heard as he wiped down the bar, Riley figured maybe it was too nice of a time, and he wondered if his generosity had backfired.
After torturing himself through half the evening, he decided to hide out in the back doing paperwork until Melvina and the chief had left.
It was almost closing time now, and Riley sat at the bar watching a cube of ice melt in his whiskey. The TVs were programmed to ESPN, and he watched the highlights of the Rockets game.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Riley recognized the rich southern tone of his brother, Raphe’s, voice before turning to see his smiling face.
“I’m not sure they’re worth a penny, but I’m not up for sharin’ right now anyway. Have a seat and watch the highlights of the game with me.” Riley pulled a stool out, welcoming his younger brother.
“I already saw it. Ran and I were at the game earlier.”
Riley looked at him with surprise, “How come I wasn’t invited?”
“I only had two tickets, and you were working. Besides, Sheila dumped me, and the game was last-minute.” Raphe held a hand up to the bartender, ordering a draft beer. A customer at the other end of the bar made a loud moan at the missed dunk.
Riley nodded at the screen. “Doesn’t look like I missed much anyway.”
Raphe took a drink of his beer, “Naw, it was a good game, but they lost by four points in the end.”
“Sounds like it hasn’t been your night. First the model, then the game. What happened?” His words were light, but he cared about his siblings. He didn’t think Raphe had too much invested in the waif-thin woman he’d brought to the ball.
“Actually, it’s not all that bad. She was just a good time. I was the same to her. She moved on to some producer guy she met, and I moved back to being single. It’s a place that feels like home to me,” he smiled.
Riley knew his brother went through women like he went through cheeseburgers. Both were delightful while they were being devoured, but sure to be consumed in a short time. “Good, so your heart’s still intact?”
Raphe chuckled. “Good as new.” He playfully punched Riley in the arm. “What about you? You look like you just lost your best friend.”
Riley drained the last of his whiskey and he flagged the bartender for another round. Raphe waved him off. “I gotta drive. I had two at the game earlier.”
Riley nodded, pressing his lips together as he swallowed hard. “Ah, smart man.”
“So?” Raphe waited.
“It’s nothin’ really. I’ve just been trying to connect with Melvina, from the diner, to ask her out and I hadn’t had any luck running into her until tonight.” Riley studied the remaining amber liquid in his glass.
“So, what’s the problem? Did she shut you down?” Raphe looked surprised.
“I didn’t get a chance to ask her. She was here with Magnolia’s fire chief, Manny, thanks to you.”
“Shoot. He called me about getting reservations tonight. I had no idea. Man, sorry about that.”
Riley shrugged off the apology.
“The chief is a good guy. I worked with him once when there was a huge disaster out in Conroe. The blaze covered—” Raphe stopped mid-sentence. “I mean, he’s the big fish in the little pond thing, you know.”
Riley knew all too well. He had grown up in a small town and knew how it felt to be top dog. He wasn’t feeling that so much right now, and that was new for him when it came to women.
Raphe clapped him on the back. “Well don’t just sit here and cry in your whiskey. Go fight for her.”
Riley shot his brother a glare, shaking off the hand that clasped his shoulder. “First of all, I’m not crying in my whiskey. Second of all, what am I supposed to do, swing by the diner every hour on the hour until I see her leavin’ work and throw her in my trunk?”
Raphe nodded, thinking. “That’s not entirely a bad idea, except it would be rather time-consuming and illegal. Besides, Darcey told me something last night that could be of use. She’s the pretty blonde who does the day shift at Pop’s diner. Anyway, tomorrow’s her day off and we’re going to Bubbles in the afternoon for drinks. Melvina usually works the front on Darcey’s day off, but she’s letting the fill-in waitress work so she can do some baking. Darcey said the early shift ends at 2 p.m., so I bet Melvina will be leaving around that time.”
Riley’s ears perked up and Raphe’s grin revealed he’d done more than just chat with the pretty waitress. “You dog. Doesn’t she have a boyfriend?”
“Didn’t mention one to me, but then again, we didn’t do that much talking.”
Riley clapped his brother on the back this time. “Well, whatever the situation, thanks for the info. I’ll try going by tomorrow and see if I can run into her. I have an invitation that she can’t pass up.”
