Melanie spent the next week researching entertainer costumes. She had no idea there was such a wealth of information about the subject online. She learned which fabric was best to wear when performing under hot lights, which was the most durable, and which was the most comfortable for maneuverability. She was sure all that information would be relevant to Jax’s job as a magician and discussed it with him when he called Tuesday night. They also discussed reconnecting over the upcoming weekend.
Mel thought about the conversation she had had with Jax last night as she enjoyed lunch outside with Betsy. Twice a month, Mel had a day off during the week, and that week, it was on Wednesday.
Abby came outside to join them with the baby in her arms. “Who wants to hold this critter while I make a pitcher of iced tea?”
“I’ll make the tea.” Betsy started to get up from the table.
“Nope, I’ve got it. My arms need a rest. I swear they’re a foot longer from holding this kid all the time. Here, Mel, you take her. I’ll be right back.”
Abby returned minutes later with a bottle for the baby and a pitcher of sweet tea. “Did I tell you guys John Richmond is coming to visit in a few weeks?”
“No, you didn’t,” Betsy said. “Give us the yummy details about him again. I’ve seen a few pictures over the years but nothing else. The only person that’s ever met him besides you is Erik.”
“Well, I’ve told you in the past that he’s gorgeous and sweet, but if you want the details, scoot in closer. Let’s see… he looks like Zac Efron except he’s in his mid-thirties. He’s really smart, worldly, daring, a total risk taker, but still a family kind of guy. He has a great body and…”
“What?”
“Nothing… just making sure Erik isn’t creeping around some corner listening to this,” Abby said, laughing as she craned her neck, looking around the yard. “I don’t think he’d appreciate how I’m describing John.”
“You’re safe,” Betsy said. “I asked him if he wanted some lunch earlier, but he said he had a couple of hours’ worth of paperwork to do in the library.”
“Oh, good. Anyway, John’s delicious and has the best six-pack I’ve ever seen on a guy. When the cruise ships come in and the tourists swarm Magens Beach, every bikini-clad girl is on him like a fly on baby poop. You’ll see what I mean when you meet him.”
Mel was almost salivating at the description. His age was better suited for her than a man-child six years younger, but John lived in St. Thomas, not Charleston.
“When is he coming?” Mel asked.
“Early August, as far as I know. He’ll be staying for a week, maybe two.”
“Where in the world will he stay?”
“Humph… no clue. At a hotel, I guess, unless you’re offering to share your room. It is plenty big for both of you.”
“I wasn’t insinuating anything, just asking. Why doesn’t John have a girlfriend? Was he ever married?”
“Nope, and he’s had a million girlfriends, just not presently. What’s with all the questions about John?”
Mel shrugged and sipped her tea. “Just want to know a little about him. It doesn’t hurt to be neighborly when he gets here, you know.”
Abby gave Mel a wink and grinned. “True enough, it certainly doesn’t.”
Why is my man meter in high gear? I’ve never wondered whether a man was a necessity in my life or not, but now I can’t stop thinking about it. My hormones are going apeshit… what the hell?
“Mel? Hello, earth to Melanie…”
“What? Did you say something?”
“Yeah, dingdong. I asked if you wanted me to take Maili.”
“Oh, sorry. No, she’s fine. I think she likes the bouncing action. She fell sound asleep after she drank the bottle.”
“Okay, just let me know. You can lay her in the stroller if you want.”
***
The caller ID showed it was Jax calling Friday night. Mel’s heart thumped triple time. With a turn of the knob and a creak of the hinges, she closed her bedroom door, got comfortable on the bed, and answered her phone.
“Hey, Mel, it’s Jax. I’m back in South Carolina. If you don’t have anything planned tomorrow, I’d love to get together with you. We’ll go over the costume ideas and have lunch. What do you say?”
“That sounds like fun. I actually found a lot of information online about costumes. Who would have thunk, right? I printed out designs and fabric information, too. Where do you want to meet tomorrow and what time?”
“I’m a gentleman, so I’ll pick you up, say at ten o’clock?”
“Okay, ten it is. I’m looking forward to it. Bye.” That’s pretty early for lunch, but maybe he wants to talk about business first. He’s too young for me, so I have to stop thinking about him in that way. He’s just so damn handsome in a youthful sort of way. I bet he has a teenage girlfriend living next door in Wando Crossing. We haven’t discussed our love lives, so what do I know, other than he wants me to design costumes for him, and he’s very entrepreneurial. Maybe he won’t even like my work. We could be a good fit business-wise, or not, but right now, I’m sure he isn’t thinking romance. The sooner I fall asleep, the sooner I can learn more about him tomorrow.
***
Melanie checked out a few more costumes online and printed the pages. During lunch, she wanted to show Jax everything in her arsenal. She was sure he would have plenty of ideas of his own, so she planned to take her sketchbook along. Back in her room after breakfast, Melanie went through her closet to find the hippest, youngest-looking casual outfit to wear. She had no idea where they were going, but she wanted to look fun and engaging. Because it was lunchtime, she was sure a cute pair of aqua shorts, a peasant top, and plenty of bangles on her arm would be just right. She slipped on a pair of pink summer sandals and made sure her hair was pulled up in a deliberately messy topknot. She looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror on the bathroom door. “Yep, this should do it. I think I could pass for twenty-six.” With her oversized dark brown sunglasses and her leather attaché case in hand, she headed to the veranda to wait.
Jax called when he was five minutes out. “You live right across the street from White Point Garden, right?”
“Yes, it’s a three-story pink mansion. You can’t miss it. I’ll be on the veranda, watching for you. Parking is difficult around here with all the tourists, so when I see you, I’ll just come out to the street.”
“No way, I’m going to park and come to the door like a gentleman.”
Melanie laughed with delight at the young but old-fashioned man. “Okay, if you insist. I’ll see you in a few.”
Melanie watched for Jax’s Expedition to appear. She saw him turn left off King Street and head east on South Battery. He drove slowly, clearly looking for the address as well as a parking space. Melanie waved to him from the veranda as he passed. Jax stopped and lowered his window. “Hey, Mel, I guess I’ll let you win this one. I can’t find a spot anywhere unless you want to walk a few blocks.”
Down the steps and through the gate she went, calling to him as she got closer, “It’s Saturday, goofball. The tourists are out in droves.”
Jax put on his hazard lights and jumped out of the SUV, giving a surprised Mel an embrace before opening the passenger door and helping her in. “It’s great to see you again. I had a crazy week, so it’s nice to be home. Are you ready for a great day?”
She smiled as she fastened her seat belt. Jax was such an upbeat, positive guy. He gave off a happy vibe that Mel enjoyed. “I’m totally ready for a great day. Where are we going?”
“Ask me again in an hour.”
“Seriously, we’re leaving Charleston?” Surprise covered her face.
“Do you need to be anywhere at a certain time? I’d love to spend the whole day with you.”
She laughed and reached for his hand. “No, it’s fine. I’m just surprised, that’s all. I don’t care what we do. I’m sure we’ll have fun no matter what.”
“That’s the spirit. I like your attitude. Experiencing new adventures is what life is all about. Are you willing to take the plunge?”
“That sounds daunting. Am I in for more than just lunch and going over costume designs?”
“Do you trust me?” He gave Melanie a playful grin and raised his right eyebrow.
“You can’t ask me that yet. I barely know you. Are you going to make me disappear or saw me in half?”
He laughed and squeezed her hand. “You’re adorable, and no, I’m not going to make you participate in any magic tricks, but we are going to have a wild day if you’re game.”
“I think I am, but now you have me worried,” she joked. “You’re driving west, so I have no clue where we’re going.”
“Don’t worry. It’s all good. Tell me more about Melanie Davis. I’m very interested in knowing everything you care to share with me. We have a long drive ahead of us.”
Terrific, he wants to know all about my nonexistent exciting life. The truth is I’m as boring as hell. How in the world am I going to come off as anyone remotely exciting? I go to work, and I come home. That’s about the extent of my life. “I hate talking about myself, Jax, but I’m really interested in hearing about the fun things you’ve done.”
“No way, you aren’t going to get out of answering my question. I’ll just ask you things, and you can respond if that’s easier.”
“Okay, shoot.” Now I’m really going to have to come up with good adjectives to make my dull life sound interesting.
“Good, this will be fun. Were you born and raised in Charleston?”
“Yes,” she responded.
“Do you have any siblings?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, cool… tell me about them.”
“I have a brother, Kyle that lives in Columbus, Ohio. He’s thirty-three years old and is married with one daughter, Chelsey, who is four. He teaches sixth-grade science, and his wife, Anna, is a stay-at-home mom.”
“Awesome. Are you and Kyle close?”
“We talk on the phone once a week, but I’m probably closer to his wife since she’s a girl and we’re the same age.”
“Got it. Do your folks live in Charleston?”
“Not anymore. They live in Wesley Chapel, Florida. They sold their house in Charleston after I moved out. They bought a condo in Florida near their best friends.”
“Are you dating anyone?”
“Really, where did that come from?” She laughed because he changed the subject so abruptly.
“Well, are you? I’m asking because I’m interested.” Jax moved into the left lane to get around a tour bus.
Mel blushed, unsure of what to say. “Not presently. How about you? Is there a broken-hearted girl waiting in some lonely seaport for your return?”
“I’m not in the navy, but no, not even close. It’s tough to be committed to anyone when I’m gone a lot. Women don’t seem to understand that. Even though I’m twenty-two, I do get lonely being on the road as much as I am. I’d love to be in a relationship, but it’s hard because of my schedule.”
“Have you ever thought of just having the wine bar instead of being on the road performing magic?”
“Sure, but I love what I do. It isn’t even about being in the spotlight. It’s more about the pleasure people get from watching my illusions and trying to figure them out. It’s so fun, it’s almost addictive. Do you love designing fashions?”
“Yes, I really do.”
“What if someone asked you to stop doing what you love?”
“I understand, Jax, but sometimes, it’s better not to start a relationship at all. Nobody gets hurt that way.”
“That’s exactly right, but I’d really like to figure out how to do both.” He stopped at the red light at the intersection of state highways 17 and 21. He leaned over the console and kissed Melanie softly on the cheek. “I like you a lot. Let’s stop at this quick mart and grab something to drink. We’re about halfway there.”