Chapter 6
Willow hated the feeling of being torn. Give her a definite answer on either side, rather than the feeling of being torn between two. But that was exactly how she felt. She was torn between her desire to make Mel into a villain, and her desire to like Mel. For better or worse, Mel had come to her to make peace. And Willow had agreed. There was no reason why the two of them couldn’t get along. No reason, except, that Willow found Mel to be a little too much. Mel was a little too attractive, a little too friendly, and a little too irresistible.
Willow’s mind had been racing during her conversation with Mel. But her mind was nothing compared to the rest of her body. Her palms were still sweaty and her mouth still felt dry. Mel was tall and athletic, she obviously worked out. There was something painfully endearing about Mel. Now, she was back at the table with her friends, but her eyes continued to find Mel.
Willow was vaguely aware of her friend’s conversation, but she was effectively zoned out. Mel was at her table talking to her friends. Willow was taken in by the way Mel’s whole face lit up when she smiled. She wished that she had spent more time bringing out Mel’s smile. Willow shook the thought away. What did Mel’s smile mean to her?
“Willow. Willow.” River’s voice broke through Willow’s thoughts, bringing her back to the present.
“What?” Willow hissed with a little more frustration than she intended.
“If you stare any harder at Mel you’re going to make your head explode,” River retorted back. Willow knew that she had likely been too harsh with her friend. She softened her face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Willow replied. Piper twirled a strand of her dark hair on a finger.
“I think she’s saying that you’re staring that girl down like she’s the last life raft off a deserted island,” Piper teased. All of her friends laughed. Willow rolled her eyes.
“Oh please, we can barely stand one another.”
“Sure. If you say so,” Autumn laughed.
“I find her insufferable,” Willow insisted.
“Of course you do,” River laughed.
“You guys are the worst,” Willow scowled.
“We don’t mean any harm. It’s just that you’re clearly attracted to this woman,” Autumn suggested.
“Well, sure. Someone can be attractive and annoying at the same time. Two things can be true,” Willow suggested.
Her friends paused for a moment, considering her words. Willow was grateful for the reprieve. From across the room Mel laughed at something one of her friends said, the sound traveled to Willow’s ears and she looked at the woman again. This time Mel turned and met Willow’s eyes. There was something soft in Mel’s blue eyes, they drew Willow in. For a long moment they held their eye contact before each slowly disengaged to continue talking to their friends.
When Willow turned she found all of her friends quietly staring at her. River raised an eyebrow and nodded her head in the direction of Mel’s table. Willow scoffed.
“Can I not make eye contact with someone without it being seen as sexy?” Willow asked defensively.
“Friend. In all our years of friendship you’ve never once looked at me that way,” Piper giggled.
“Maybe I just do it when your back is turned,” Willow suggested with a coy smile.
“Listen. All we’re saying is that it’s clear that there’s more going on with your feelings for Mel than simple annoyance,” River said.
“Maybe there is. But the annoyance certainly trumps whatever else might be there,” Willow grinned. She glanced at her phone.
“I’ve got to go back to work,” Willow said with a groan. She gave her friends hugs and left the table.
There was a part of her that was happy to be leaving. Willow didn’t think she had it in her to handle any more of their scrutiny over her feelings for Mel. Sure Mel was beautiful but that didn’t mean Willow wanted to date the woman. Mel looked up as Willow walked by and smiled. Willow felt her face turn hot. She gave Mel a small smile of her own on her way out. Willow tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear.
She counted herself lucky to have a job where she was able to work from home three days a week. Sushi greeted her excitedly at the door. Willow bent down to give the dog a scratch behind the ears. Sushi rolled over to his back in a bid for tummy rubs. With his cute upside down face Willow couldn’t deny Sushi affection. Willow walked over to the couch and called the dog to her. Sushi curled up next to her on the couch.
“You aren’t going to believe what happened during lunch,” Willow began. Sushi turned his head to look at her expectantly.
“It turns out that Mel works at the cafe that Autumn suggested we meet at,” Willow explained.
“It was awkward as usual but at least she didn’t knock me down this time.” Sushi groaned and stretched out.
“Anyway, I think we’re going to try and be nice to one another from now on.”
Sushi had lost interest in her story. He ran to the door and waited to be let out. On days when Willow worked from home she would leave the back door open so that Sushi could come and go as he pleased. Sushi trotted happily outside and found a patch of sun to sit in. Willow smiled, it did her heart good to see Sushi so happy.
Willow stopped to make herself a mug of tea in the kitchen. There were still days when she missed Amy, but she was sliding into the comfort of being alone. Willow ate and went to bed when she wanted. If she stayed up late reading a book Willow didn’t have to worry about it annoying someone else. Willow sat at her desk and started to work.
The hours went by quickly, as was often the case. Willow knew that she tended to be single-minded sometimes to the point of determent. Her first clue that something was amiss was the sound of heavy rain falling outside. Willow stretched and checked the time. Her workday had ended thirty minutes ago. Her boss would scold her for working over, but ultimately he’d be grateful for her dedication.
“Sushi,” Willow called. There were times when Sushi enjoyed playing in the rain. But Willow was sure that the dog would come inside when called. When she didn’t immediately hear the sound of Sushi running inside, Willow went to investigate.
To her horror the backyard was empty. Disbelief set in and Willow moved through her home calling Sushi’s name. When it was undeniable that Sushi wasn’t inside Willow ran outside. Sushi was nowhere to be found. She was terrified to find a Sushi-sized hole dug under her fence. Willow growled in frustration and ran out back inside and through her front door.
She called for Sushi as loudly as she could manage over the sound of the pouring rain. But Sushi was nowhere to be found. Rain soaked through Willow’s t-shirt and streamed down her face. She could hardly see through all the rain. Willow was grateful that at least she had her shoes on.
Willow turned and ran down the sidewalk yelling for Sushi. Surely he couldn’t have gone far. A car pulled up beside her. The window rolled down and Willow saw that Mel was the driver.
“Willow, what are you doing?” Mel called through the pouring rain. Willow didn’t have time to be snarky. She ran up to Mel’s car and stuck her head partially inside the window.
“Sushi got out of my yard. I’m trying to find him,” Willow explained.
“Get in,” Mel demanded.
“What? Why?”
“Because my car is going to cover more ground than you will. And I’m going to help you.”
“Why?” Willow asked, still unbelieving.
“Willow, it’s pouring rain. Get in the car,” Mel said, her tone firmer now. Willow gave a simple nod of her head and climbed inside the car.
Mel’s car was warm and welcoming, a distinct contrast to the cold rain outside. Willow looked over at Mel and still couldn’t believe it was her who offered a ride. She felt the woman move up several notches in her mind.
“Thanks,” Willow said, her voice almost a whisper.
“For what?” Mel asked. Was this woman for real?
“For picking me up,” Willow smiled.
“Of course. We have a dog to find,” Mel smiled back.
In that moment Willow couldn’t remember why she’d ever found Mel annoying. They each stared out their own car window. Mel drove slowly down the road. Every once in a while Willow would roll down her window and call to Sushi. Something about Mel’s presence was oddly soothing. Willow found herself being happy it was Mel who had picked her up.