Chapter 19 Melanie
MELANIE
NOW
I don’t know how I let Josh talk me into this, but somehow I’m in the car with him on our way to Philadelphia.
We’re meeting an executive from SoundShift Records, and Josh thought it would be awesome if we played “Every Song” for him—together.
There is a little part of me that is excited.
Playing music I wrote for a record producer is something I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to do.
The other part of me is completely terrified—sweating palms, uneasy stomach, racing heart.
Josh didn’t even tell this guy, Mark, that I’d be coming.
I never thought Josh would think a surprise is a great idea, but he seems more at ease than he’s seemed in weeks.
Every time I look his way from the passenger seat, he gives me an easy smile.
Last night we ordered dinner and rehearsed the song until my fingers burned. I think we’ve got it down—we added a bridge and harmony on the third verse. I am really happy with it. Josh seems to be too.
We’re quiet as we merge onto the expressway that will take us right into Philadelphia.
I’m lost in thought, remembering our last summer together.
I can’t stop thinking about that day. Josh just finished up his sophomore year, I’d finished up my junior.
He was begging me to come clean to Cara about us.
We’d been sneaking around for weeks under the guise of writing music.
Josh had just told me he was falling in love with me, and I loved him too.
That night, there was a party on our beach.
The one where we’d lost our virginity together.
There were so many people, and we sat around a blanket with Cara and Liam, stealing glances at each other when we thought they weren’t looking.
I can still hear the conversation in my mind.
“Oh, will you two stop making googly eyes at each other?” Cara scoffed. “Don’t act like we can’t all see you.”
My cheeks and neck grew hot. I felt so self-conscious in that moment—why would Cara embarrass us like that?
Josh recovered before I did. He looked tenderly at me and just when I thought he was going to admit to our secret romance, he said, “Mel and I have been working on a song we’re excited about. That’s all.”
“Oh, a song, huh?” Liam chimed in. “Are you going to play it for us?”
I knew that was going to happen. A flush spread across my chest as more people began paying attention to us.
“Not yet,” Josh said, glancing at me again. “It’s not ready yet.”
“Whatever.” Cara rolled her eyes. “Hey, maybe you two will be famous in Nashville together one day.”
I’m jarred from my memory at the sound of Josh clearing his throat. “You okay?” He glances quickly at me before turning his attention back to the road. Outside, cars blur by at a high rate of speed, but in here, my world is paused in 1999.
Goose bumps rise on my arms, and I offer him a soft, wistful smile. “Yeah. I was just lost in a memory.” I shake my head.
“Oh yeah? About us?” Josh quirks an eyebrow at me as he looks over his shoulder to change lanes.
“Maybe,” I murmur, wiggling my own eyebrows playfully, even though deeper feelings stir beneath the surface.
Josh laughs, the sound low and familiar, like an old love song.
“We have a lot of great ones.” He lets his voice trail off, like he’s reaching for a memory he can’t say out loud.
I nod, my smile fading slightly. “We really do. I haven’t let myself think about them in so long,” I admit sadly. I look down at my hands just as Josh reaches across the center console and grips one. His palm is warm and steady.
“I was thinking…” Josh starts, squeezing my hand just like he used to. “After this meeting, maybe we can explore Philly? I haven’t been there in so long. Figured we could get a bite to eat and walk around a bit?” Josh looks so hopeful, it tugs at my heartstrings.
I picture us walking around Old City, popping in and out of stores, eating ice cream and listening to street musicians.
I don’t hesitate—I’d go anywhere with Josh.
It’s been so long for us and yet, we seem to have picked up right where we left off. Maybe it’s impulsive, but it’s also easy. We’ve slipped right back into a steady rhythm. No masks, no hesitation.
No other relationship I’ve had in the last twenty-five years has been so easy. It’s a breath of fresh air. I can be myself with him. There is no need to hide how I really feel or play it cool. There are no first impression nerves. It’s just us.
I don’t bother to bite back my grin. “Of course. That sounds great.” I squeeze his hand back, anchoring this moment. “Are you ready for this?”
“With you,” he says, his voice low, scraping, “I’m ready for anything.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later, we’re walking into the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel, cool air conditioning sweeping over us as we head toward the bar.
Mark Matthews is already waiting for us, nursing a highball glass with a dark amber liquid in it.
I immediately worry about Josh and the pressure of this meeting—but his expression remains calm, unreadable.
As we approach, his posture straightens.
“Mark, my man,” Josh holds out his hand, and they shake firmly before Josh leans in for a quick one-armed hug and a slap on the back.
Mark pulls away, a look of surprise flashing across his features. “Josh! It’s been a while.” He gestures to me. “And who is this?”
“This is Melanie.” Josh grins, slinging an arm around my shoulder, his tone easy but possessive. “We’re old friends, used to play together all the time and recently picked it back up.”
“Great!” Mark holds his hand out to me. “Nice to meet you, Melanie. Let’s sit, shall we?”
Josh pulls out the stool next to Mark for me and takes the one on my other side. Once we’re settled, a bartender comes over, placing cocktail napkins in front of us. I wait for Josh to order.
“Hello, folks. What can I get you to drink today?” The bartender greets us, tipping her head to one side and giving Josh her full attention. She’s pretty with blonde hair piled high on her head and kind brown eyes. He doesn’t seem to notice that she’s looking only at him.
“Just a water with lemon, please,” Josh says, his voice even, his arm slipping around the back of my chair, subtle but seemingly deliberate.
“And for you?” She purses her lips expectantly.
“Oh, water is fine for me too.” I wave my hand in an effort to be casual.
“Still on the wagon, I see,” Mark says with a nod as the bartender walks away.
Josh sucks in a breath. “Yeah. It’s not easy, but it’s what’s best.”
“Good man,” Mark says, taking a sip of his own drink. “So, I’d love to know what you’ve been working on these past couple of weeks.”
Josh chuckles, sipping his water as soon as the bartender sets it down. “Cutting right to the chase, I see.” The men lock eyes, and it’s only now that I realize they may not be as friendly as I originally thought.
“Well, Mark, as you know, I’ve been trying to write an acoustic EP. Something totally different from what I’ve done before.” Josh runs a hand along his jaw.
Josh begins to tell him all about Cara, and Mark visibly softens.
Josh fills him in on her death and scratches the surface of our history together.
He talks about the old songs we wrote together.
“I think I’m going back to my roots. Writing with nostalgia.
The first song I’ve finished, I co-wrote with Melanie when we were teens.
We’ve given it a refresh, and I’d love for it to be the first single. ”
Mark’s smile is slow to form. Standing, he drains the last of his drink in one gulp.
The way he is eyeing the two of us sends pins and needles straight up my spine.
He nods and then taps the bar. “Tina,” he calls, gesturing to the bartender.
“Close my tab. Put it on my room charge.” He rises to his feet, throwing a couple of bills on the bar and gestures to the lobby couches. “Let’s hear it.”
“O-okay.” Josh nods and suddenly seems nervous.
We brought both guitars. They’re leaning in their cases on the other side of Josh.
He grabs mine first and passes it to me.
We follow Mark out to the center of the lobby.
I can feel the pulse in my neck as we settle in, guitars in hand.
I’m used to singing alone in my apartment, not in hotel lobbies full of people.
I look to Josh, and he offers me a reassuring smile.
There’s a curved beige couch with a black armchair across from it in the center of the lobby. Mark takes the armchair and gestures for Josh and me to sit. We take out our guitars and Mark is eerily silent, watching us. Josh catches his bottom lip with his teeth. “You good?” he murmurs.
“Yeah,” I breathe. “Let’s do this.”
We play through the song, and it’s even more natural than the last time. Our voices melt together like butter. Several people stop to watch—something that would normally give me pause—but all I have to do is look at Josh and everything feels right. This feels right.
“Wow,” Mark says before we’ve strummed the last chord. “That’s fabulous.”
The look of relief that crosses Josh’s features cracks open something inside me. He was worried, I realize.
“Thank you.” Josh nods, flicking his gaze my way. “Mel is the one who had the old lyrics. We reworked them together.”
I feel my face heat, and all I can do is smile.
“So, is this going to be a duet album?” Mark arches his eyebrows, looking between us.
“Oh, uh—we hadn’t really discussed that,” I mutter.
“But we are putting on a memorial concert on Labor Day Weekend, for my sister,” Josh adds. “I figured I’d see where the wind takes me.” He crosses his arms, his gaze flicking between me and Mark.
Mark chuckles and there’s something intimidating behind it. “The wind better be taking you to Melanie. You two are fantastic together.”
I blush, peering up at Mark through my lashes. “Thank you. But…I don’t know. Josh is the star here.”
“Tell you what, you two get this recorded and get it over to Gary and John. We’re going to talk about this.” Mark points at us. “This is good stuff.”
Josh drops his arms and nods, relaxing. “Thanks, man.”
“I’ll be in touch.” Mark stands, preparing to leave. Josh and I follow suit, shaking his hand.
As soon as Mark is gone, Josh throws his arms around me, peppering kisses all over my face and neck.
“Oh my god,” he murmurs. “I thought he was going to hate it.” He kisses my forehead and pulls back to look at me. “I’m so relieved.”
“I’m relieved for you.” I grin, fighting the urge to kiss him on the mouth in this lobby full of onlookers.
“I guess we’re doing this?” Josh asks, his eyes lit with something electric.
One look at him, and I already know. My answer is yes.