Chapter 11
MELANIE
NOW
“Hold on,” Sophie says, holding up her hand.
“Josh has been sleeping on your couch for two weeks already?” I haven’t seen her in ages, so we grabbed a coffee and parked ourselves on a bench at the Washington Street Mall.
I’m filling her in on all things Josh, and she’s looking at me with heart eyes.
I nod, sheepishly biting my lip. “He has…and when I am off, we are writing new music every night. Or playing old music. It’s just like old times but better.
” I close my eyes and sigh, trying not to swoon and failing miserably.
“And when I work, he comes in and hangs out at the bar for half my shift.”
Sophie lets out a breath, blowing away the hair falling in her eyes. “Damn, what does he do? Just drink and keep you company?”
“Nope,” I say with a grin. “He doesn’t even drink.”
“Melanie, this guy is…into you,” Sophie says, looking at me as if I’m blind.
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. I think we’re just old friends catching up.
And even if he is, he’s only passing through.
If I think about it as more than that, I’ll get my hopes up, and I don’t want to do that.
A lot was great between us back then, but we were just kids and so, a lot was broken between us too. ”
It’s not just old friends catching up though. Josh feels like he’s a part of me that was missing or broken all this time. Like we should have never been apart and now that we’re back in each other’s lives, it makes sense why no one else ever chose me. But I don’t say that to Sophie.
“Oh, come on! I love a second chance romance,” Sophie whines, jutting out her lip and cocking her head at me like one of her little daughters might do.
I suck in a breath and wince. “I just can’t let myself go there yet…
I know it was so long ago, but losing him hurt so badly.
And there are things he doesn’t know that I don’t know if I can ever tell him.
” I take a sip of my coffee and look away, feeling the sting of tears prick the back of my eyes.
Sophie gets it because she nods and changes the subject, for which I am grateful.
“I understand. You’ve been through so much.
” She hesitates then says, “Ellie is babysitting for us tonight and we’re going to the distillery.
They have the fire pits open and a summer drink menu.
You guys should come,” she urges, not bothering to hide the hopeful expression in her green eyes.
That’s what I love about Sophie. She’s so genuine and kind—you never have to wonder where you stand with her.
I have a rare Saturday night off so it’s not out of the question. Josh and I planned to order in Thai food and work on our new song for Cara though. “I don’t know, we’re supposed to be writing music.” I scrunch my nose.
“So what? Take a night off. I need to meet this guy,” Sophie chides. “Before he’s gone already. Plus, Liam said that you guys want to plan some kind of concert? If that’s true, you need to start planning.”
Sophie isn’t going to let this go until I relent, so I sigh. “Okay, fine. I’ll text Josh.”
“Yes!” Sophie hisses. “That’s my girl.”
* * *
A few hours later, I’m dressed in a pair of wide-leg jeans, and a fitted black tank top.
I let my hair fall around my shoulders in its natural waves and spritz on some perfume.
Josh is waiting for me when I come out of my room.
He’s wearing gray shorts, a fitted black T-shirt, and leather flip flops that look like the ones he wore back in high school.
He smells like bergamot and sandalwood, and his dirty blonde hair is pushed back off his face, revealing clear blue eyes taking me in.
“We look like musicians.” I laugh.
“You look great,” Josh says, his voice catching. He rakes his hands through that tousled hair of his and gives me a shy smile.
“So do you.” I grin. “Shall we?”
“Sure,” Josh says. “I’ll drive.”
“Oh shit. A distillery,” I facepalm myself. “I didn’t even think of how insensitive this is with you being sober and all. We can totally bail and do something else.” I wince, guilt burning hot across my cheeks.
Josh gives me a reassuring smile. “Mel, I sit at the bar with you nearly every day,” he says cautiously.
“I’m fine. Like I told you, it was never a problem.
I just like myself better sober.” He turns and grabs his soft guitar case leaning in the corner.
“Think anyone would mind if we played around the fire?”
I can’t hold back my smile. “No, definitely not.”
“Good,” Josh says, slinging the strap over his shoulder. “Do you want to bring yours?”
I hesitate, opening and closing my mouth. I am not sure I’m ready to play for other people yet. “Maybe I’ll just sing along with you.” I finally decide.
“Let’s hit it, then.” Josh moves for the door, gesturing for me to go first.
* * *
We arrive at the distillery and find Sophie and Liam waiting for us around the bar. They’re both drinking cocktails. Liam is holding an Old Fashioned, and Sophie has a drink I recognize as a Krabby Patty.
“Yay! You’re here!” Sophie cheers, hopping off her barstool and leaning in to hug me, careful not to spill her drink.
I wrap my arms around her first while Liam and Josh shake hands, exchanging pleasantries, then we all switch places.
“Sophie, this is Josh,” I say, gesturing to my partner in crime with his guitar bag slung over his broad shoulder.
“Josh! I’ve heard so much about you.” Sophie has to stand on her tiptoes to hug him, but she reaches up and gives him a squeeze like he’s a long-lost friend.
“Let’s go claim a firepit before it gets too packed,” Liam suggests, gesturing to the back doors.
“Sounds great,” Josh agrees.
Sophie and I follow the men outside. Late June brings plenty of tourists to Cape May and tonight is no exception. We grab the last fire pit before the wildflower field behind us, each taking a seat in an Adirondack chair.
“Oh! You guys didn’t get drinks,” Sophie chirps.
“That’s okay,” I say, eyeing Josh cautiously. He has already taken out his guitar and begun idly strumming a tune. “We can wait.”
“Suit yourself, missy.” She leans back in her chair and takes a long sip from the black cocktail straw.
“So, Josh, have you written anything new since you’ve been here?” Liam asks, leaning back and propping a hand behind his head.
“Well,” Josh drawls slowly. “Not yet. But Mel and I have been revisiting some of our old tunes trying to see if they could work.” He tosses a smile in my direction, and my heart does a little flip-flop.
“Yeah? You are playing again, Mel?” Liam raises an eyebrow at me.
I roll my eyes. “I’m always playing, Liam. I just don’t play for people.”
At this Josh huffs a laugh. “Until now. I’m pretty sure I’ve convinced her to play at this memorial for Cara.”
“Speaking of which,” Liam says, scratching his chin, “I talked to Miles about it—his dad’s a councilman.
Miles suggested Rotary Park because of the stage.
He warned it might be tough to get a date mid-summer, but Labor Day weekend was still open if we moved fast. And, well…
Miles went ahead and called. Locked it in, actually. Will you be sticking around that long?”
I’m not mistaken when I feel Josh’s gaze burning into me, his expression unreadable. “I can stick around for however long is necessary. Let’s do it,” Josh says to Liam, but he’s still looking at me.
“Geez, that was fast,” I mutter, glancing at Josh who hasn’t taken his eyes off me.
He looks excited though, and something familiar blossoms in my chest. When we were younger, Josh and Cara were excited about everything.
Even if it was something that I might’ve been uneasy about, their excitement was contagious.
Maybe it’s that. Maybe I’m excited because he’s excited. Nothing more.
Sophie rolls her eyes, shaking her head. “You know Miles. When he gets an idea in his mind, he runs with it.”
“So, we’ll just advertise it as a benefit concert?” I furrow my brow. “It’s outside at a park so how will we stop people from just coming in without a ticket?”
“I was thinking about that,” Liam says slowly. “I don’t think we should charge for tickets. I think we should just collect donations.” He pushes his lips together and glances at Sophie.
“Yeah,” Sophie agrees with an enthusiastic nod. “We can create flyers with QR codes, and everyone can donate leading up to the event. The QR code can take them to a website that shares Cara’s story and a place to donate.” She looks back and forth between Josh and me.
“You have definitely thought about this,” I tease.
Josh turns to meet my gaze. “I think it’s a great idea,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “I just wish I could have helped you come up with it.”
“You just worry about the music,” Liam says, nodding at Josh’s guitar.
Josh laughs. “That I can do.”