Chapter 4
“Friend, what was that over there? You were kind of mean,” River stated. She was staring Willow down, obviously trying to figure her out.
“I was not mean. She knocked me down. And her friend was rude,” Willow protested. In her mind she couldn’t help wondering if the tall woman beside Mel was her girlfriend. She found herself hoping that wasn’t the case and had to push the thoughts aside.
“Her knocking you down was clearly an accident. We were laughing and joking but we could have been better about watching where we were going. And you sassed Mel first, if I was her friend I would have said something very similar to you,” River admitted. Willow drew back as if struck. River saw Willow’s expression and softened.
“All I’m saying is that it wasn’t like you. I’ve never seen you snap at anyone that way. It kind of threw me off,” River said. River wrapped an arm around Willow and pulled her in for a hug.
“I don’t know buddy. Mel just gets me so flustered and angry.” Willow gave a long frustrated sigh. River nodded her head, considering her words for a moment.
“Have you considered that you might like this woman?” River asked.
“I don’t think that’s very likely. I can’t stand her.” Even as the words came out of her mouth Willow’s eyes fell on Mel. She was leaning against a fencepost talking to the woman who was with her. Willow could make out the curve of her body and the fullness of her breasts even from here. Her mind started to fantasize about what it might be like to press her against that fencepost and kiss her. Willow shook her head refusing to let her mind play out the fantasy any further.
“There’s a fine line between frustration and sex,” River offered as an explanation.
Willow was vaguely aware of River studying her. River opened her mouth to say something then closed it again.
Sushi ran up and sat in front of Willow. Mel’s dog came up and sat beside Sushi.
“Hello, there,” Willow laughed.
She leaned forward and gave the dog a pat on the head. The dog gave her hand a lick before running off. Willow watched as he bounded up to Mel. Mel bent down to give his belly a rub. She felt a pang low in her belly. A hint of regret mixed with a touch of heat.
“Are you ready to head home, Sushi?” Willow asked. Sushi gave a howling bark.
“I think that’s a yes,” River laughed.
Willow hooked Sushi’s leash to her collar and walked towards the exit. Similarly, Mel and her friend were taking her dog in the same direction. Willow fought with her fear to try and come up with something to say. Mel had a worried expression on her face as Willow approached. Willow supposed she deserved that. She forced her face to soften.
“What’s his name?” Willow asked, directing her gaze to Mel’s dog.
“His name is Mase,” Mel answered, her tone low and guarded.
“He’s a really good dog,” Willow said as she walked through the gate.
“Thanks. So is Sushi,” Mel said following her out.
Willow breathed a sigh of relief. It was a small step towards peace. Maybe she and Mel were meant to only be cordial, but Willow would take it over open hostility. River walked quietly beside her until they got to her house. Once they stepped inside River turned to her with a smile.
“Okay. That was cute,” River swooned.
“What was cute?” Willow asked.
“You and Mel talking about her dog. You were both being so sweet,” River said with a huge grin.
“Okay, no. You stop that right now. There are no butterflies in my stomach. I was attempting to be cordial for your benefit,” Willow insisted.
“Really? You were being nice for my benefit?” River grinned.
“Of course. I heard what you said and I know that conflict makes you uncomfortable. And you’re right. There’s no reason I can’t be cordial with Mel. It certainly seems as though our dogs get along. And Sushi could use an extra doggy friend.”
River shook her head, unbelieving. Willow arranged her features into a neutral expression as River analyzed her.
“You can protest all you want but I think you’re already starting to fall,” River stated. Willow groaned inwardly but kept her reaction muted. There was no way she could fall for someone as self-righteous and haphazard as Mel.
“I don’t have to be friends with the woman to extend basic human niceties,” Willow smiled.
“I won’t lie to you. Where Mel is concerned you definitely have some ground to make up in the charm department,” River laughed. Willow pinned her with a hard stare.
“Thanks, friend,” Willow growled. River gave her a penitent look.
“What I’m trying to say is that I don’t think you dislike her as much as you want me to believe. I think she confuses you. But I saw how she looked at you and how you looked at her. I think if you stop yelling at her long enough there’s a chance you might both be interested in each other,” River said with a hopeful smile.
Willow shrugged her friend off. She wasn’t looking to forge a profound connection with anyone. But it would be nice if she could go to the dog park without feeling awkward when Mel was around. Sushi and Mase had played really well together. Which was a rare occurrence. Sushi was frequently too much for the other dogs around him. Willow glanced over at Sushi who had promptly fallen asleep on his dog bed. It would be nice if he had a regular playmate. There was a large part of Willow that did want River’s opinion, even if she was a little afraid of it. Willow sat on her couch and watched as River sat next to her.
“Okay. You have me curious. What exactly are your thoughts? Because you obviously have some,” Willow asked. River gave her a bemused chuckle.
“Are you sure? I’m afraid it might come out a little edgier than I want it to.”
“Our friendship can handle a little bit of edginess,” Willow smiled.
“Okay then. I think that you find Mel attractive and that you like her. Or you could like her. But it has only been six months since Amy left. It’s obviously still fresh for you. So you see this woman that you potentially find attractive and you’re determined to tank every interaction with her.” River splayed her hands out in front of her, resting her case.
“Well, that was a lot,” Willow laughed and then asked,
“So what are you suggesting I do about it?”
“Realize where your feelings are coming from. Don’t take things out on Mel. She doesn’t seem like a bad person so there’s no reason things can’t be cordial between you two.”
Willow understood what River was saying. Whether her disliking Mel was the product of the woman being insufferable or because of her own broken heart, who could say? The simple fact was that she didn’t like Mel. But River was right, she could still be cordial. If for no other reason than to promote a happy living situation in her community.
“I’m surprised you aren’t going to tell me that I should go ask her out,” Willow laughed.
“It’s not up to me to decide when you’re ready to take that leap again. I won’t ever pressure you in that arena. You’ve been through a lot, friend. It’s okay if you need to take a little time for yourself,” River reassured her.
“You act as if coming home to find that your girlfriend moved out would be a traumatic occurrence.” Willow tried to laugh but it came out forced. River’s hand landed on her shoulder.
Six months ago, Willow had believed she was in a happy and healthy relationship. She and Amy had been dating for two years and living together for nine months. By all accounts they were headed for engagement and marriage. Then without warning Amy left. Willow went in for a job interview, and when she got home Amy, and her stuff was gone. Amy left a note explaining that she’d felt like things were moving too fast. Easy come, easy go. Looking back now there had always been signs, but Willow never expected Amy to leave.
“You’ve been through a lot. It’s okay if it takes you time to trust again. It would be strange if it didn’t take you a little time,” River smiled softly.
“Thank you for being so wonderful to me over the last six months. You really showed up for me during a very difficult time,” Willow said.
“You’re my best friend. Where else would I have been then other than beside you?” River asked. Willow lay her head on River’s shoulder.
“You’re an amazing friend. I think you’re right. I don’t have to like Mel to be nice,” Willow said with a grin.
“There’s the spirit,” River laughed. She gave Willow a little kiss on the top of her head.
Willow rested her head on the back of the couch and sighed. She grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. Willow tried to forget about the heat that had spread through her heart and core when she’d looked at Mel. She wasn’t interested in Mel, hell she could barely handle the idea of sharing a dog park with her. She turned her attention to the show they were watching, desperately hoping to be sucked into another world.