“Betsy, you’ve outdone yourself this time,” Erik said as he wiped his mouth with the napkin. “That pie was scrumptious.”
“I’ll second that,” John said. “I’m sure I just added a thousand calories to my daily intake. Mel, do you need to take Lucy for one last walk tonight? I could probably use the exercise, too.”
“Sure, that sounds like a great idea. I’ll get her ready.” Mel slid back her chair and said she was going inside to get Lucy, the leash, and a plastic bag.
Abby smiled at John when the screen door closed behind Mel. “All right she’s in the house, now spill… how are you guys getting along?”
He laughed at Abby’s typical in-your-face approach. “It’s all good. Mel is a lot of fun, and we’re really hitting it off. I’ll make sure to show her a great time in St. Thomas.”
“I bet you will,” Abby responded, almost choking on her tea.
“You have a dirty mind, Abs,” Gina joked.
“Right… and I’m the only one sitting here that was thinking what I had the nerve to say. You guys are full of it.”
Mel returned with Lucy clipped to the leash, and she carried a bottle of water and a plastic bag. “Ready?”
“You bet. See you guys later.”
As everyone watched, Mel, Lucy, and John exited the side gate on their way to the park.
“Humph.”
Erik grinned at Abby. “Okay, what does that mean? I know your wheels are spinning.”
“Just something that flashed through my mind.”
“Care to share?” Adam asked. He scraped his plate, making sure to get the last bit of pie into his mouth.
“I remembered walking on Magens Beach one day, actually it was Mother’s Day, and there were three weddings set up. I stood off to the side and watched the first one from start to end. It was so pretty and romantic. I was just wondering if John will ever get married, and if it will be on the beach. There’s no other place that would do, as far as I know.”
“Well, Mrs. Matchmaker, time will tell. I’m off to bed. Care to join me?”
“You don’t have to ask twice.” Abby puckered up and kissed Erik. “Good night, guys. See you in the morning.”
***
The evening was quiet as Mel and John strolled through the park. An occasional couple passed by, nodding hello. The old-fashioned street lamps illuminated the center of the park where the gazebo and monuments stood. They ducked under the sprawling branches of live oaks, walking hand in hand as Lucy sniffed each tree.
“Are you getting excited about Saturday?”
“Absolutely. I can barely wait until we’re on the airplane. It will seem more real to me then. The last vacation I took was in 2011, and that was to a family reunion in Iowa. I think I’m due for some turquoise water and tropical fish.”
Melanie stole a glance in John’s direction. “Are you happy to be going home?”
“Sure, but helping out my folks and visiting close friends was really nice. I was due for a break, too, even if it was a break from paradise. Do you want to sit for a few minutes?”
“Okay,” Mel said. She poured water into her cupped hand for Lucy. The pup drank, got comfortable on the cool pavement, and relaxed.
John leaned in and kissed Mel. She noticed how good he smelled, a hint of woods and spice. She inhaled his scent deeply and responded to his kiss. It felt right, the way relationships should begin, gradually and sensually, eventually leading to more. Tonight, sexy kisses were just fine.
Once home, John walked Mel to the gate and promised to call tomorrow. They said their good nights, kissed one last time, and parted ways. Mel watched as, with a spring in his step, John walked the half block to his parked car and drove away.
Mel sat on the veranda with Lucy nestled on her lap and snoring peacefully. She looked out at the park. The street lamps seemed to twinkle in the shadows of tree limbs swaying in the breeze. Charleston is home and the place that makes me happy. Could I ever leave here and live somewhere else, even if it is considered paradise? “Enough thinking, my brain is starting to hurt. Come on, baby. It’s time for bed.” Mel carried the sleeping pup into the kitchen, placed her on the blanket in the corner, and then tiptoed upstairs to her room, trying not to step on the creaky spots on the staircase.
***
“You look stoked,” Abby said. She sat at the kitchen table, feeding Maili her morning bottle.
“Who wouldn’t be? Today is my last day of work for two weeks. Yay! What’s for breakfast, Betsy?”
“I made steel-cut oatmeal. There are blueberries in that dish if you want to sprinkle some on top”—she pointed to the bowl on the counter—“and I cubed a cantaloupe, too. I made a fresh pot of coffee. Want some?”
“Heck yeah.” Mel grabbed the morning paper to see if there was anything interesting on the front page. “Humph… no news is good news, I guess.”
“Oh, by the way, I called the management company, and they’ll have the house ready for you when you get there. They’re going to stock a few essentials in the fridge, like beer and wine,” Abby said, laughing. “No, seriously, there should be water, juice, milk, and beer in the fridge. I told them to get fruit, cereal, eggs, and bread, too. The rest is on you. The house will be aired out, and all the sheets and towels are clean. You should be good to go, but I’ll give you their contact info anyway in case of an emergency.”
“I thought John was my go-to guy.” Mel licked her lips and smirked.
“You’re gross. Anyway, put this key on your key ring. It’s for the front and back door. Both doors use the same key.”
“Got it. You know how much I appreciate you letting me stay in the house, right?”
“Mi casa es su casa, babe. I hope you enjoy your stay. Let me know if anything looks off at the house. I’ll call the management company myself if something is wrong.”
“Okay.” Mel slurped the last of her coffee and headed toward the door. “See you later… woo-hoo.”
Betsy shrugged and rolled her eyes. “She’s your friend. You sure know how to pick them.”
***
To celebrate her vacation, Mel stopped at the market on her way home from work to buy a bottle each of sparkling cider and champagne. Tonight at dinner, she would pour everyone a drink and toast her two glorious weeks in paradise that would begin tomorrow. She entered the market and made a beeline for the liquor department. As she peered down each aisle, looking for the champagne section, she spotted hunky Dr. Dan standing in front of the selections of Riesling. Shit! What is he doing here? That’s probably right where the champagne is, too. I’m sure I don’t look nearly as good as I ought to right now, but he probably wouldn’t even recognize me without Lucy. I’ll duck around the corner and get the sparkling cider first. Maybe he’ll be gone when I get back.
Mel did a quick about-face, headed down the next aisle, and turned left at the end. She slammed right into Dan as he was turning right, carrying a bottle of wine in each hand and another tucked under his arm. As the bottle under his arm crashed to the floor, he instinctively tried to grab it, dropping the other two bottles in the process.
“Oh no… my God, I’m so sorry! I’m such a klutz.”
“What the… Melanie? What are you doing here?”
“Dan… I mean, Dr. DeLong. Oh my goodness, please forgive me. I can’t believe the mess I’ve made.”
“Mel, I’m at fault, too. I should have used a cart. Look at your pant legs, they’re all wet. Be careful. There’s glass everywhere. I have to get an employee over here to clean this up before someone gets hurt. Don’t leave.”
Damn it, this isn’t exactly the way I wanted to get to know him on a more personal level. Hi, Dr. Dan, remember me, Melanie the klutz? I’m the woman that made you drop three bottles of wine all over the grocery store floor. Crap, and the timing couldn’t be worse. I can’t sit around lollygagging with this hunk of burning love when I have to get home and hopefully make out with John tonight. I swear I’m going to hell.
“Excuse me, ma’am. I have to mop this up before someone slips in it.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Melanie inadvertently looked at Dan, who was already staring at her. His mouth turned up in a wide grin, and they both began laughing.
“This actually isn’t funny,” she said as she laughed even more.
“Come over here by the pharmacy. There’s a bench we can sit on while we wait. I need to pay for those bottles once they give me a total price.”
“No way, I’ll pay for them. You must have been planning a party tonight, and I’m cutting into your time.”
“Actually, I wasn’t planning anything. I usually buy a few bottles at a time just to have on hand. This market is on my way home from work.”
“Mine, too. I never thought about your clinic being that close to my workplace.”
“Really? Where do you work?” he asked as he picked a few glass shards out of his pant cuffs.
“Be careful. You might cut yourself with those.”
He laughed. “I’m a doctor, Melanie, remember?”
“Oh yeah, sorry. I’m such a scatterbrain tonight. I work at Colette’s Closet as an upcoming fashion designer.”
“That sounds exciting. Are you any good?”
His face was only inches from Mel’s, and his eyes twinkled playfully with hers.
I swear those Caribbean-blue eyes are going to be my undoing. “Of course I’m good at my job, if that’s what you were implying.” You can imply more if you’d like.
He laughed loudly, causing a few old and tired customers waiting at the pharmacy counter to jump. Now they both laughed at the customers’ reaction.
“Come on. Maybe this isn’t the best place to wait. I’m sure some of those older folks would appreciate sitting on that bench themselves. Let’s hang out by the service counter.”
“Were you just browsing the liquor aisle, too, or did you plan to buy something? Maybe there’s a party going on at your own house tonight.”
“Yeah, I guess a small one. I’m leaving for St. Thomas tomorrow for two weeks. I’m staying at my best friend’s beach house.”
“I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Is this your first time to St. Thomas?”
“Yes, and I’m really anxious to get there.”
“It always helps to have a friend that can show you around.”
The store manager came to the counter and rang up the bottles. “Sorry about the mishap, sir. Both of you are okay, aren’t you?”
“We’re fine. What’s the damage?”
“It’s fifty-seven dollars, sir.”
“I’ve got this.” Mel elbowed up to the counter and handed the manager her credit card.
“Mel, no. Seriously, I’ll pay for it.”
“Too late, it’s a done deal.” She signed the receipt and handed it back to the manager. “Thanks for tolerating us.” She looked at Dan and laughed. “Now I actually need to buy something to take home. I don’t want to jinx you, so I’ll understand if you want to get going.”
“Nope, I’m buying something, too, but let’s grab a cart to be on the safe side.”
Side by side, pushing the cart, they returned to the aisle with the Rieslings and champagne. Dan carefully placed the same three types of wine in the cart while they teased each other about breaking the bottles.
“I know squat about champagne. Do you have any suggestions?”
“You mean about the champagne?” he asked jokingly.
“Okay, you’re getting pretty bold. Have you been sipping already?”
“Nope, not yet, but too bad you have plans. I’d invite you to join me.”
“Hmmm… sounds like fun, but it will have to wait for another time.” Mel was more than excited that Dan didn’t have a woman in his life, but for the moment, his offer would have to be squeezed into the “maybe someday” file. She didn’t want to seem overly anxious either.
They chose a champagne and sparkling cider, set them in the cart with the Riesling, and checked out at the “ten items or less” aisle.
“That was… fun?” Mel said as they reached her car. “Thanks for helping me choose a champagne.”
“No problem at all. Lucy’s next visit is on the house, and don’t argue with me. It’s my pleasure. Have fun in St. Thomas. I’d like to see some pictures the next time you come in.”
“Okay. See you soon. Bye.” Damn… he’s pretty sweet, too. At least I’m getting to know the everyday side of him. Mel watched as Dan climbed into a white Range Rover and drove away.
***
“What took you so long to get home tonight?” Betsy asked as she was setting the table. She checked the clock on the wall in the kitchen—six forty-five. “You’re usually home by five thirty. What gives? Couldn’t tear yourself away from work?”
“Not even close. I brought home some celebratory beverages for tonight.”
“Really… let me see. You bought champagne and sparkling cider. Nice job. Abby will appreciate that.”
“That was my intention. No drinking when she’s on mom duty. Do you know when Erik is getting home tonight?”
Abby walked in, bouncing Maili and patting her butt. “Late, I think. He has a meeting with the zoning committee at seven. Those boring meetings seem to take forever. He probably won’t get home until ten. Sucks for me,” she said. She eyed the champagne sitting on the kitchen table. “I’ll tell you one thing, Mel. When you get back, you’re going to owe me one night of babysitting while Erik and I go out, drink all night, and have wicked sex in a sleazy motel room. Deal?”
“Deal. Okay everyone, let’s eat so I can pour the champagne and toast my vacation. I’m putting these bottles in the freezer for a while to chill them. Betsy, set the timer so we don’t forget to take them out.”