It was after one and she was starving. She stopped by the Blossom office to drop off the tax papers and did a mental happy dance when the receptionist told her Celia had gone out for lunch.
She took the catering van back to Pop’s and parked it in the reserved spot around back, then rushed to the front to meet Mona. They drove Mona’s sporty new Lexus the short distance to Bubbles and were lucky to find parking on the street near the entrance.
Sliding into the booth opposite her best friend, Melvina sighed. “It feels so good to see the inside of any other restaurant besides Pop’s. Don’t get me wrong, I love the café, but I get sick of eating my own cooking every day. Besides, it’s my day off and I deserve a change of scenery.”
The swanky new lounge opened early for appetizers and drinks from Thursday to Sunday. It wasn’t a place to fill up, but it was a great place to gossip with friends while enjoying a cold, crisp glass of champagne and a cheese tray or a small salad. Today, Melvina opted for the grilled chicken skewers and a glass of Prosecco. Mona ordered the cheeseburger sliders with country brie and mango-jalapeno jelly. She batted her eyes with innocence in the bartender’s direction as she asked the waitress for a stiff dirty martini.
“Speaking of change in scenery,” Mona purred with a twitch of her Botox brows.
Melvina looked over her shoulder to see Riley Nash headed their way. She pasted a calm smile on her face, hoping she didn’t show her panic as she took in his medium-blue colored denim with a stonewashed front. The snug jeans hugged his powerful thighs and Melvina wondered if he had ever been a bull rider. Images of Riley strapped into the stirrups with one hand snugged into the horn of his saddle, rocking back and forth as a large bull bucked furiously beneath him, danced across her vision.
She must have been gaping as he approached, because he gave her a curious look, arching a thick, sexy eyebrow.
Mona gave her a kick under the table, snapping Melvina out of her fantasy.
For God’s sake! Get it together, Mel.
“Hi, Melvina. What a pleasant surprise. I was just looking for my brother, Raphe, but I think I must have gotten here before him. Raphe’s notoriously twenty minutes late for everything. That’s why I’m ten minutes late myself,” he grinned sheepishly. “Mind if I join you ladies until he gets here? I hate being the lone guy at the bar.”
Mona kicked Melvina under the table again as she craned her neck, motioning Melvina to scoot over. Melvina cleared her throat and nudged her purse to the side to make room. “Of course not. Please, have a seat.”
Riley eased into the booth, filling the table like the infamous but muscular and drop-dead gorgeous elephant in the room. Mona, who was never at a loss for words, sat silently smiling at the hunk, not offering a bit of help. Melvina struggled for small talk but couldn’t muster a coherent thought. The man smelled as delicious as a cinnamon roll. Was that Bulgari soap? It was her favorite. Finally, she looked at her drink and thought refreshments might be a good start. “You thirsty?”
“Yes, and I am starving too. Your salad looks good, but I think I could use something more substantial. Do you think they have a bigger cheeseburger than that?” He motioned to Mona’s petite sliders.
“It’s more of a cocktail place than a restaurant, but I’m sure the chef can fix you up. He caters to a tapas sort of crowd, but I’ve been to one of his barbecues before, and I know he can put together a mega-mean brisket burger. I’ll get the waitress to ask.” Melvina waved down the young brunette who was serving their section and made the request. Riley ordered a whiskey with one cube of ice and then turned to ask them if they would care for a bottle of champagne.
Mona lit up in anticipation, then her eyes went flat, showing her disappointment. “Oh damn, I can’t. I gotta hot date tonight. I don’t wanna go home sloppy. I guess I’ll hold off, but thanks for the offer.”
Riley looked at Melvina. “What about you? Raphe will be here soon. He’ll finish a glass or two.”
Melvina felt a surge of mixed emotions. He was just being friendly, but why offer to spend money and time on someone you weren’t into? He’d said she was pretty when they danced the other night. Maybe he was interested, and hell, it was her day off and she wasn’t driving. “Well, if you don’t leave me stuck drinking the whole bottle, I can have a glass or two,” she smiled.
The waitress brought the wine list on a tablet and Riley made a selection, seeming to enjoy playing with the electronic toy. “This sort of technology is what I need at Braised. It’s just the right touch of class that upscale Houstonians will appreciate with their rack of lamb or Chateaubriand.” Handing the tablet back to the waitress, they settled casually into conversation. Riley talked about his new restaurant in the city, and they found themselves comparing industry stories in no time.
After an hour slipped by and still no Raphe, Melvina had more than just a glass. “Hey, where’s your brother?” she asked. “I think I’m a bit tipsy.” She suppressed a small giggle as she put a hand to her mouth.
Riley fished his cell phone out of his pocket, looking at his messages. “Whoops, I think I’m at the wrong place. Raphe said The Vine, not Bubbles. I guess I remembered passing this place the other night and thought, it would be fun to check out. I better call him. He’s probably mad I stood him up.”
Melvina watched Riley as he rose from the booth and strolled outdoors to call his brother. It was polite that he didn’t try to call from the table and yell over the growing crowd. The place had filled up in the time they’d spent chatting. Now people were milling around the bar and standing at the cocktail tables, scouting out booths.
“Melvina, he is HOT!” Mona trilled. “You had better bag and tag this one and have some fun. I don’t want to hear anything else from you tomorrow except that you were on your bathroom floor for a good reason, like falling out of the shower having super kinky inferno sex.” Mona’s curls bobbed as she whipped her head in the direction Riley had gone and back to Melvina.
“Shush! For God’s sake, Mona, people can hear you, and I’m sure he will be back any minute.” Melvina hoped the other patrons hadn’t heard her stage whisper, too.
Riley appeared a few minutes later and slid back into the booth. His leg now rested easily against hers.
Melvina looked at him in question. “Is he upset?”
“Who, my brother? Naw, he’s left me hangin’ so many times over a hot hookup, he owes me a little slack. Raphe said he’d make his way over in a bit. Seems he met someone at the bar while he was waiting for me, so it’s likely I may not see him tonight. Glad I ran into you ladies.” His smile was genuine as he topped off their glasses and frowned at the empty bottle. “I guess we didn’t need Raphe’s help after all.”
“Oh geez, I’ll probably feel that tomorrow.” Melvina rubbed one temple as though the hangover had already started, but in truth, she would love one more glass. The splash that was left would be plenty, and she should ask Mona to drive her back to Pop’s soon.
As if on cue, Mona looked at her cell phone and started to rise. “Oh geez, Melvina, I hate to be a party pooper, but I need to go home and get ready for my date. If I’m giving you a ride back, we better skedaddle.” Melvina felt disappointment wash over her tingling senses as she realized it was time to say goodbye. Reaching for her purse, she nodded.
Riley looked as crestfallen as she felt. “I hate to see you ladies rush off and leave me to the vultures.” Scanning the room, it was evident that half the bar was single ladies or groups of ladies, and several were making their attentions obvious. She could count at least three sitting with their arms crossed in such a way that pushed their cleavage up higher and pointed in his direction. “If you need a lift home, I can take you later. Let’s have another round,” Riley suggested with a crooked grin. It was impossible for any woman to resist that smile. Melvina wanted to pour champagne over him and lick it off. She didn’t want to be an inconvenience when his brother arrived, and she didn’t want to stay just to keep the cougars at bay.
Before Melvina could protest, Mona stood and said her goodbyes, throwing a meaningful look at Melvina, then waltzing out of the lounge without a second glance. Was the champagne making her slow or was she hesitant to leave the warmth of his side? When Mona left, he didn’t move to the other side of the table. Instead, he waved down the waitress for another bottle.
“Whoa, who will drive us?” Melvina was a stickler for not drinking and driving, and though Riley didn’t seem the least bit buzzed, he had already had two glasses of champagne and the whiskey from earlier.
“The champagne is for you, lovely lady. I’m going to have a water and if I do decide to have another sip, we’ll call a cab and I’ll see you home safely,” he promised.
Melvina wanted to protest, but she didn’t have a valid excuse. The only thing hot about the evening ahead of her was the hunk sitting right next to her. It was her night off, and the only thing she had lined up at home was a bubble bath and a stack of novels on her bedside table. Humphrey, her seven-year-old basset hound, had a doggy door and a free feeder. Her big yellow tomcat, Leo, had a clean litterbox and would likely dine with Humphrey. They would miss her, but the few extra hours she might spend away from home wouldn’t destroy their pawsome world. They were probably asleep in her bed right now.
Oh God! It’s sheet day!
If she somehow snagged an intimate night with Riley, he would see her dog-rumpled sheets and very disorganized bedroom—
Not to mention my Spanks!
On second thought, she hoped he did get too drunk to drive, then they’d have to take a cab and maybe he wouldn’t notice.
They spent two hours after Mona left swapping stories of best meals ever and sharing recipes.
“Caramel drizzled over white-chocolate-covered pretzels with praline sprinkles is one of my favorite Christmastime treats,” he said, licking his lips with anticipation.
Melvina was impressed that his handsome cowboy exterior was accompanied by a molten warm center, filled with an artistic desire to create delectable dishes and share them with the people he loved. She couldn’t suppress a culinary moan as he described his special holiday menu, and how he was planning to create dishes for the new restaurant, inspired by the box of old recipes his grandma had left him after she passed away.
Gorgeous, successful, family oriented, yet he looks like he could tame a wild steer. Yummy.
Melvina smiled up at Riley, wondering again why he hadn’t moved to the other side of the table. Raphe was obviously caught up elsewhere. Not that she minded the warmth of his shoulder and thigh radiating through her thin cotton blouse and jeans. “You must have been special for your grandma to write down all her recipes and leave them for you.”
He leaned over, lifting the bottle of boutique champagne out of the ice bucket, removing the linen towel. She wanted to remember to look up the vintage later. Its crisp flavor with just a hint of lemon and orange intrigued her senses. Money was tight while she was saving up for her cupcake shop, but on special occasions, there was no harm in splurging.
He nodded as the golden liquid splashed into her glass, and she reclined into the soft cream leather of their booth. She was relaxed now and comforted by the love of food they shared. The stories he recounted of Ran and Raphe reminded her of growing up with Eli. Riley was a blessed man to have such a loving family. Her mother’s absence stormed through her thoughts, and like a jagged streak of lightning, it zigzagged to Maurice and his sister, who’d been abandoned by their father.
“Wait a minute. I can’t have another drink.” She slapped a hand to her forehead, remembering Maurice and the homework help he would be returning to the library for. “I promised Maurice I would meet him.” Looking at her cell phone, she was dismayed to see it was already six-thirty. She was supposed to meet him at seven and she still needed to get to the store to buy the supplies for his project. She stammered a thanks and tried to leave.
“Hold on now. You don’t have a car, do you?” Riley looked a bit flustered. He made a sign to the waitress to bring the check.
Thwacking her forehead again, “Oh God, you’re right. I left the van at Pop’s.” A groan of frustration trailed from her words.
“It’s okay. I can take you wherever you need to go.” Riley signed the check, leaving a big tip for the happy waitress. Shocked by his generosity, since it was almost as much as the bill, Melvina tried unsuccessfully to look away.
“I appreciate that, but it isn’t necessary. You’ve done enough, really.” She glanced back at the overturned champagne bottle. Like Cinderella after the ball, Melvina was aware that the clock was ticking. Her time with the prince was about to end. “Well, on second thought, I could really use a lift to the library.”
Riley couldn’t believe his luck. He’d walked into the wrong lounge to meet his brother, then ran into the one person he hadn’t been able to get off his mind since the moment he took her into his arms and waltzed with her at the gala. He’d hoped to get to know her better by dropping by the café, but she’d been so busy and then he had to leave too soon.
Here in this casual atmosphere with the right mix of conversation and champagne, they were connecting. It had been years since he’d had such a good time with someone he was interested in. Hell, the time he’d spent with Melvina was like talking to the perfect woman. Her love for family and food rivaled his own. She loved her dad and practically ran his café, and she adored her younger brother, who seemed to be a great guy and always had her back. But, the thing about Melvina that touched him the most was how much she cared about the people around her and more pointedly, the community. Everything was going great until she remembered her date with that guy Maurice.
He hadn’t noticed a ring on her finger, and there hadn’t been talk of a fiancé or boyfriend. He had a distinct feeling from Mona’s quick exit that she was trying to set him up with Melvina. Maybe Mona didn’t know about Maurice or didn’t like him. Maybe it was a first date for Melvina and this Maurice guy. He couldn’t fault her for that. She was beautiful and deserved a fun night out.
I just wish it was with me.
The library sounded a little bookish. Maybe she liked the nerdy type. Riley wasn’t dumb by any means—he’d played football in high school and college, but he’d always had big dreams of building a chain of restaurants and then expanding into other markets. He’d financed his first restaurant with the backing of some of his mother’s connections, but they’d all benefited from their investments and then some. Reading was a pleasure he indulged in on a lazy Sunday afternoon lying in his backyard hammock. But, the idea of hanging around the stacks discussing the wonders of the Dewey Decimal System didn’t exactly top his list of hot dates.
She asked him to stop by a Walgreens and he patiently waited inside his car. He skirted around asking if he could help. Drugstores were filled with womanly items and he was polite enough not to ask what she needed. She waved him off, saying she’d be back in a jiffy. When she returned, Riley stepped out and opened the door for her, and received a smile for his efforts. His heart sank a little as they approached the small-town library next to the railroad tracks and old train depot.
“Here we are. Only five minutes late. I’m sure your boyfriend won’t mind—”
Damn! Way to sound sophisticated.
Melvina’s head spun back toward Riley. Her eyebrows raised. “You thought Maurice was—” She flung her head back and whooped with laughter. Heat flashed through Riley. He understood his mistake immediately, but the heat wasn’t from his embarrassment. He loved watching her laugh. She was the girl next door, the girl everyone loved to talk to in high school, the woman he would like to have on his arm at any party and someone he was already thinking to introduce to his family. Melvina’s cheeks bloomed with color and her eyes glittered with mirth. Her long blond hair hung loose over her shoulders and he suppressed the desire to brush it back. Her complexion was smooth and just a tad golden from the sun. He wanted to slide his fingers down her cheek and brush his lips across hers.
Just then, a boy knocked at the car window. Riley pushed a button and the glass glided down.
Melvina offered the youngster one of her enchanting, warm smiles. “Well, howdy. What are you doing out here?” she said in a soft voice.
“I was worried you’d forgotten—” His big brown eyes were wide and shining with unshed tears. “Or you were in an accident or something.” The young Hispanic kid clearly mooned over Melvina, but Riley bet she didn’t have a clue about the crush. She opened the door as she soothed the boy, patting him on the shoulder and handing him one of the bags. The boy grinned and scampered up the steps of the library.
Turning to Riley, she leaned in through the open window. Her top gaped and the heart-shaped charm that floated on the silver chain winked at him from her gorgeous cleavage.
Lord help me maintain eye contact.
“Thanks so much for the ride.” She gave him a smile that promised warmth and intrigue, the kind that most women attempted to look fascinating, but Melvina was authentic. He’d traveled the world learning from the best culinary experts and spent time in the company of exotic, gorgeous women. They couldn’t hold a candle to Melvina’s genuine beauty. It emanated from her core and its sincerity reached her eyes when she smiled, leaving him with no doubt of her interest. “I really enjoyed the conversation and the champagne.”
“The pleasure was all mine.” He smiled back, wishing he was the one meeting her in the library after all. “I hope we can do it again sometime.” Riley glanced behind her at the boy, who was waiting by the door. The kid didn’t look happy about Riley delaying Melvina. Maybe his father was waiting inside. Had he been wrong about her available status? “Do you need a ride? I can come back for you later.”
She tapped the car twice and waved. “Naw, I’m all good, but thanks again.”
Riley adjusted himself, making room for the added excitement of her derriere swaying as she ascended the steps of the library and disappeared inside. Through the old building’s window, he spotted her hugging the boy as they walked past the front desk.
It’s not like we were on a date or anything.
So why did he feel so deflated? He’ had a great time with her, and from the way she was so open about her family, he could tell she was enjoying herself too.
She doesn’t owe you any explanations, man.
But he wanted to take her out on a date. He wanted more. True, he was physically attracted to her—
Those curves, that hair, that smile—
But his instincts told him to go slow. Melvina wasn’t that kind of woman. He drove out of the round-a-about and turned back onto the main road as he pondered his bachelor status. Women threw themselves at him often enough and Riley hated to admit he’d had his share of one-night stands, but over the past couple of years, he’d been avoiding those sorts of fast-and-loose encounters. His restaurant was thriving and continual growth in his business kept him too busy for barhopping. The thing about one-night stands was that they only lasted for one night, and lately he recognized the stirrings of a need to share his successes with someone who got what he was all about.
His mind skipped back to his business, and he pointed the Infiniti toward the city. He needed to check on things at the restaurant. When the cat’s away, and all that.
Riley tried to tamp down on his growing feelings for the curvaceous cupcake lady, but he couldn’t heed his own warning.
There’s just something about Melvina.
Melvina worked with Maurice on the solar system layout on a sketchpad with colored pencils. They took the plastic balls she had bought from Walgreens and covered them in strips of plaster, leaving them in the back room to dry. The librarians allowed art projects to be constructed in their study room and didn’t mind the planets drying overnight.
Maurice would come back and paint them tomorrow and then they would string them all together around the large sun. The blow-up beach ball had been a mite bigger than the other smaller balls she had found in the toy section, but it was the best she could do for the pickings. Maurice was very creative and seemed to enjoy the homework. Two hours later, when his mother came to pick him up, Maurice was practically hopping up and down, telling his smiling mother all about his project.
Melvina waved as they exited the building, then pulled out her phone to call her brother for a ride. The lights flicked on and off twice, signaling the library was closing in ten minutes.
“Hey, Melvina.”
Looking up from her phone, she was surprised to see Manny staring at her.
“Hey, Chief, what are you doing here?”
He held up a book and smiled. “I’ve been having a little insomnia, and I thought it might be a good idea to give my computer games a rest and do a little reading. I read an article about how computers activate your brain and interfere with REM sleep.”
Melvina read the well-worn spine, “‘The Silver Chalice.’” She let out a low whistle. “That’s a long one.”
Manny held the old book up and studied its size. “Yeah, it might take me a while to get through it, but it’s one of the classics I missed reading. It’s been on my list for a while. Have you read it?”
“Yes, I have, but I don’t remember much about it. I read it in high school and all I can remember is thinking I would never get through it to finish my book report in time.” They both laughed.
“I guess I’m sure to get some sleep.”
“And then some. I know I sure did.” Melvina ran her finger over the returns cart and pulled out a book in an emerald-green jacket. “How about this one?”
Manny studied the title on the cracked binding, a smile spread across his face. “‘The Last of the Mohicans,’ now that’s a good book.”
She sighed. “Oh, you’ve read it. I love to help people find the right book, but I think we’re out of time.” Nina, the librarian, was staring at them from the counter, waiting for Manny to move through the empty checkout line. They were the last people in the building.
“No, I like the Mohicans. I’ve probably forgotten most of it, and it will be all new again after so many years. I’ll get them both. Thanks.” Manny seemed to hesitate before nodding and entering the roped-off section leading to the counter.
Melvina stepped out into the dusk and gazed at the streetlight that blinked on overhead. Spring was bringing more hours of light every day and Melvina was ready for summer to come. The sound of cicadas moved in waves around her, and a mosquito landed on her bare arm. It was time to shed the jeans and put on shorts soon. She would have to spend a few days in her garden to get her legs ready for summer clothes. The diner wasn’t far away, so Melvina decided to walk to Pop’s. The exercise would do her good.
“You need a ride?” Manny’s truck pulled up slowly beside her.
She shrugged her shoulders and lifted her hands. “I was trying to get some exercise. I left my car at the hotel the other night, and I’ve been too busy to go pick it up.”
“Hop in, I’ll take you to it.”
If it had been anyone else but Manny, she would have said a flat no, but he was kind and she had liked him for so long. She really did need to get her car back since she’d never made it by the auto shop. The twenty minutes would be out of the fire chief’s way, but he didn’t seem to be in a rush to get home. “Okay, but only if you let me drop off a few pies tomorrow at the firehouse.”
He laughed. “I never say no to pie.”
Leaning over, he opened the door and gave it a push. A car made a wide berth around them, honking for the inconvenience. Manny made a polite salute, even though the driver never glanced back.
“So, life’s been busy?”
Melvina turned in her seat as she clicked the seatbelt in place. “Huh?”
“You haven’t had time to go get your car,” he reminded her.
“Oh yeah, right. I’ve been helping Maurice with his school studies and I’m swamped with tasks for the ladies’ club. Plus, the diner and the usual life chores. Actually, I’ve kind of ignored those. My house is a complete mess.” So was her life. She had put a lot of things on the back burner lately.
“I can send Janie over if you like. She’s been a great help to me. I even have her do the station once a week just to keep things nice and clean. The boys aren’t all bad, but men just don’t seem to have the same touch.”
“I would say I understand, but my brother is much neater than I am. He was the one with the organized room, and I could never seem to keep my stuff off the floor.”
Manny nodded. “Maurice, is that the kid you were helping in the library?”
“Yeah, he’s sweet and smart too. His dad took off and left the family, so no surprise he’s struggling with school. I’ve been trying to get him to spend time with someone who might be a good influence. I was going to ask you if maybe he could help wash fire trucks one day. I’ll hang nearby to watch out for him, but I think he could really use a positive male role model. The guys might show him the importance of work and commitment to service, and he would probably love to see the inside of a fire truck.”
“No problem. It would be good for the guys, too. I haven’t been paying enough attention to see if the men are keeping up with maintenance. It would be a good excuse to get everything squeaky clean. Poor little guy. Is his momma okay? Does she need any groceries or anything?”
“They are pretty proud. I already tried to help in that department, but she’s stubbornly holding it together alone. I’ve made sure to bring baked cookies and such whenever I see Maurice. He thinks it’s just a reward for doing his homework, but at least this way I know he has had something to eat. I always make a loaf of bread for him to take home.”
“You’re a good soul, Melvina.”
“I try, Chief, but if I think too long about all the needy children out there, it gets overwhelming. I just do what I can.”
“Maybe we can put some of that money from the calendar toward a mentor program here in Magnolia. There seems to be a demand, and I know a special lady who seems to have an interest in advocating for those kids in need.”
“Talk to Celia. I bet she has that money earmarked for the fire department and something else for the Magnolia Blossoms, but if she would part with the funds for anyone, Chief, it would be you.”
As they rolled up to the awning that covered the circular drive for hotel guests, Melvina hopped out. “Thanks again for the ride.”
“You’re welcome.” Manny smiled and reached a hand toward her as if he wanted to say something else. Melvina paused with one hand still on the door.
“You-uh, busy tomorrow night?”
“I have a late shift at the diner, but I don’t go in until noon. Do you need something?”
Manny paused. His eyes shone with interest. “I—I was just wondering if you might have time to swing by and talk about the calendar.”
“Of course. I’ll come by with the baked goods in the morning and we can go over whatever we’ll need to get ready. I’ll talk with Celia first. She probably has her own plans on what she wants.”
“Melvina?”
“Yes, Chief?”
“Call me, Manny, please. Maybe we could sketch out the plans first, without Celia?”
“All right, Ch—Manny. See you tomorrow.”
