Chapter 12
Willow had gone out on many dates in her past. Which was why her sense of anxiety over picking Mel up was frustrating her. Willow had spent the majority of her day focusing on work. Now it was time to get dressed for her date and she found herself at a loss. She pulled a shirt out of her closet, then remembered that had been Amy’s favorite shirt. Willow put the shirt back and sat on the bed.
It had been six months since Amy left. Some days six months felt like a lifetime had passed. Other days six months felt like only yesterday. Amy leaving had been hard on Willow. She still wasn’t sure what exactly had happened?
What was worse her home still held the remnants of Amy. Some of her clothes still hung in the closet. Amy’s toothbrush still lay unused in Willow’s bathroom drawer. Willow had finally managed to put Amy’s note to her in a drawer, but she couldn’t bring herself to throw it away. The note that had told Willow that Amy’s feelings had changed even as Willow’s remained the same. It was hard being the last one to move on.
Willow finally picked a white and navy striped tank top with a pair of cutoff shorts. She pulled out her laptop and tried to come up with places to take Mel. WaterColor had grown a lot over the years, but in many ways it still felt small. She finally decided on a restaurant with a balcony overlooking the ocean. They could enjoy dinner, drinks and then maybe a walk on the beach. The thought of taking someone out on a date filled Willow with a funny mix of anticipation and excitement.
Her phone buzzed and she knew without looking that it would be River. She had texted her friend to tell her about the date. She smiled down at a message that was mostly excited emojis.
Willow: Does that mean you approve?
River: It doesn’t matter if I approve. But yes. I’m so excited for you friend.
Willow: It’s just one date .
River: Sure but it’s been a long time since you’ve found someone you want to date. I get to be excited.
Willow: Fair enough.
River: Where are you going to take her?
Willow: That new place. Olsen and Wells. It’s right on the ocean.
River: Very romantical.
Willow: What should I say to her?
River: Try not yelling at her.
Willow: Ha ha
River: Just be yourself.
Willow: That’s awful advice.
River: No it isn’t. You’re wonderful.
Willow: You’re sweet. And you give me too much credit.
River: Seriously! When you aren’t yelling you can be quite charming.
Willow sent River a simple eye roll emoji and went back to getting ready. She stared at the pink bottle of perfume on her bathroom counter. She hadn’t used it in six months. The fragrance was one of those pricey kinds that one could only find in a boutique. Amy had bought her the perfume sometime last year. Willow used to wear the scent religiously, as it was Amy’s favorite. Willow trapped her lower lip between her teeth and chewed it. You’re being ridiculous , It’s past time to move on . Willow picked up the bottle and sprayed the a tiny bit on her neck. The move felt strangely empowering.
The time had come to pick Mel up for their date. Willow couldn’t help notice the way her heart skipped a beat at the thought of taking Mel out on a date. Was it Mel? Or was it going out on a date with someone other than Amy that had her tied up in knots. Willow couldn’t be sure.
Mel came to the door wearing cargo shorts and a white tank top. Willow had never seen someone look so stylish while wearing something so simple. Her mouth was suddenly dry, and Willow had to swallow a couple of times so that she could speak.
“Hi,” Willow managed to say in a too hoarse whisper.
“Hi. Are you okay?” Mel asked. The spot between her eyebrows knitted together in obvious concern.
“I’m great. I just had a frog in my throat,” Willow chuckled. She rubbed absentmindedly at the back of her neck.
“Do you want some water before we go?” Mel offered.
“No. But thank you for asking,” Willow smiled.
Olsen and Wells was decorated with various types of mounted fish. When they sat down at their table Willow couldn’t tear her eyes away from the giant swordfish mounted on the wall above Mel’s head. She gave the fish a grimace. Mel gave her a puzzled look. Willow realized too late that she was directing her expression of disgust right at Mel. Willow gave a tiny laugh.
“I’m sorry. I was giving the dead fish above you a dirty look. Not you,” Willow explained.
“That’s good to hear. I can’t be too careful,” Mel smirked.
“Are you ever going to let me live our little feud down?” Willow laughed.
“I don’t know. You’re going to have to be very nice to me while we find out,” Mel said with a grin that told Willow she was being teased. Mel’s lips curved upward into a crooked grin, and Willow couldn’t help imagining the feel of those lips against her own.
“Out of curiosity, when did you decide you wanted to ask me out? Was it the spur of the moment?” Mel asked. Her questions brought Willow back to the moment in front of her.
“When you left my house last night, I knew that I wanted to see you again.”
“I had no idea,” Mel said with a warm smile.
“I’m not always the easiest person to read I guess,” Willow admitted.
“You? Hard to read? No.” Mel’s tone dripped with sarcasm and Willow had to laugh.
“I know. It’s hard to believe.”
“I guess at least you don’t go around knocking people over everywhere you go,” Mel said with a firm note of self-deprecation.
“I’m sorry I was such a jerk to you,” Willow sighed.
“It’s okay. Knocking a woman off her feet isn’t meant to be taken literally,” Mel laughed. Willow couldn’t help her lips curving up into their own smile.
Willow took a minute to fully appreciate Mel. She was a gorgeous woman. Her long brown hair fell silkily over her shoulders. Willow watched Mel’s mouth move as she talked to their server. She remembered those same lips sucking on her nipples.
“Are you okay?” Mel asked.
“Of course. Why do you ask?”
“You just look a little flushed,” Mel answered.
Willow was aware of the heat surging through her body and settling between her legs. She tried to put all thoughts of her night with Mel out of her mind. Her eyes looked up and met Mel’s, there was a burning behind the other woman’s eyes. Willow wondered if Mel was having the same kind of thoughts she was.
Willow grabbed her glass of water and took a huge sip. As she went to place the cup on the table it landed half on her fork. The cup pitched forward, water went everywhere including down the front of Mel. Willow watched in horror as Mel was drenched.
“Oh shit, I’m so sorry!”
“It’s okay,” Mel answered gracefully.
“At least this time it was you and not me,” Mel chuckled.
The entire front of Mel’s shirt was covered in water. If the earth beneath her had opened up and swallowed her up, Willow would have been relieved. Instead she had to survive this awkward moment. Mel was taking it all in a stride. It somehow made their first encounters all the more embarrassing for her over reactions to them.
“I work in a cafe. This isn’t the first time I’ve had something spilled on me. Thank goodness this is only water,” Mel laughed, and the sound carried, filling the space between them.
Mel had a warmth to her that Willow had previously missed. Probably because she’d been so busy trying to find fault with Mel that she hadn’t noticed what was right about her. The server hurried back with a new glass of water, Mel thanked the man. She turned back to Willow and offered a smile.
“Tell me something about yourself,” Mel said, her lips curved upward into a grin.
“What do you want to know?” Willow asked.
“All the typical first date things. Where you’re from? All your past relationships. You know the drill.”
“Originally, I’m from Ohio. I hated the cold winters so I moved here after college. My parents divorced when I was in high school. My Dad is an accountant. My Mom is an art teacher. They were always an unlikely couple. I’m an only child and my move hit my Mom hard. So she took a job that’s less than an hour away from here. Sushi actually used to be her dog. But my Mom gets bored easily so she was going to rehome him. I couldn’t let her do that so I took him home. But finding a local trainer has been harder than I thought,” Willow chuckled.
“I might be able to help with that,” Mel offered.
“Oh, are you a dog trainer, too?” Willow asked. She arched an eyebrow. For all she knew Mel could be half a dozen things.
“No, not me,” Mel laughed. Willow noted that she kept her laugh quieter this time. Willow missed the loudness of Mel’s full laugh.
“My friend, Jordan, just opened up a doggy daycare. There’s a trainer on staff. She can do obedience sessions with Sushi during the day. If that is of interest to you.”
Willow couldn’t help flashing Mel another warm smile.
“That is definitely of interest,” Willow laughed.
“Okay. So your mom lives close, your dad is in Ohio. What else? Tell me about your last relationship,” Mel pressed.
There was no way for Mel to know that she was pressing up against a bruise. Memories of Amy flooded her mind. Willow had been expecting their relationship to last forever.
“Are you okay?” Mel asked.
“I am. I just. It was a rough breakup,” Willow offered.
“Oh no. I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me anything that makes you uncomfortable,” Mel suggested.
“No, it’s okay. It’s time for me to have this moment. Her name was Amy. We were together for what felt like a long time. Long enough that we had started talking about getting married.”
“Wow. So it was a significant relationship,” Mel commented.
“Exactly. I thought it was the last relationship I would ever be in. I thought things were great. I had no clue that she had doubts. Six months ago I was let go from my job. One day after running around town applying everywhere I could think of I came home and found a note.”
“A note? She broke up with you via note?” Mel asked aghast.
“Yeah. It just said that she was feeling pressured by all the talk about a wedding and she needed to go do her own thing. I was finally able to reach her on the phone. I guess she rented an apartment on the other side of town. That’s the last time we’ve spoken to one another.”
“That’s rough. I’m so sorry,” Mel offered.
“It’s okay. I’m finally starting to re-enter polite society. So that’s a good thing.”
“For what it’s worth I’m glad you’re here re-entering polite society with me,” Mel grinned.
“Me, too,” Willow agreed.
Mel reached a hand across the table and took hold of Willow’s hand. Willow was taken aback by the sudden warmth of Mel’s touch. She allowed the warmth to spread through her, shedding light on all her dark places. Willow met Mel’s deep brown eyes across the table and was immediately drawn in by her warmth. Willow startled when the waiter brought them food. The whole restaurant had faded to black as she allowed herself to get lost in Mel.
They chatted through dinner. Occasionally, Mel would reach out and touch Willow’s hand, sending an electric current surging through Willow. She could feel a mounting ache building in her body. She desperately wanted Mel to touch her in other places as well. The check came and Willow paid, even as Mel protested.
Mel grabbed her hand as they walked back to the car. Willow couldn’t help noting that their hands fit together perfectly. Before she could over think the move she pulled Mel into her body. Then leaning in she gave Mel a soft kiss on the lips. Mel’s lips were warm and welcoming. Whatever spark Willow had started erupted into a full inferno. Mel pulled Willow deeper into the kiss. They managed to pull away long enough to get into the car. They continued to surge forward each giving and taking in turn.
Willow forced herself to pull away and start driving towards her home. She longed for the privacy of her place, where she could explore Mel over the course of hours. Mel’s hand pressed against Willow’s thigh as she drove. Willow wished that Mel would move her hand to the spot between her legs. There was nothing she needed more than Mel.
As she pulled up to her townhome she noted a strange car in her driveway. Who the fuck could be swinging by at this hour? She and Mel each exchanged a look of confusion. As Willow left her car she was greeted by the singsong voice of her mother. Willow managed to suppress her groan, but only barely.
“Willow, there you are. I’ve been waiting for almost twenty minutes.”
Angela Rose had always had a way of carrying herself. Ever since Willow was younger she’d thought that her mother glided rather than walked. Angela covered the ground between them and wrapped Willow into a hug.
“Mom, I’ve told you to text if you want to come see me. That way you don’t have to wait and we can actually make arrangements,” Willow replied firmly. Angela batted a hand at the air, as if she was pushing away Willow’s words.
Angela noticed Mel for the first time and turned her attention towards her. Willow made a silent plea for Mel to run.
“Oh no, did I interrupt something?” Angela asked.
She glided over to Mel before anyone could answer her question. She extended a hand to Mel.
“I’m Angela, Willow’s mother.” Mel took Angela’s hand and shook it.
“Now that we’re friends I wonder if you could give Willow and I a few minutes to talk? I have something important to discuss with Willow.”
Willow wished she could shout out to Mel. She wanted to beg the woman not to go. But Mel wrapped her arms around Willow in a hug.
“Text me later,” Mel demanded.
“Of course.” Willow said.
Then Mel was gone, leaving Willow alone with her mother. Angela gave her a coy smile.
“So who’s the girl? Whatever happened to…”
Angela broke off. She had never been great at keeping track of the people in her life.
“Amy,” Willow supplied when it was clear that her mother was waiting for a response.
“That’s right, Amy. Whatever happened to her? The two of you were together for a while weren’t you?” Willow forced herself to maintain a neutral face. It was hard when her eyes wanted to roll so badly.
“Amy and I were together for a couple of years. We broke up six months ago,” Willow answered.
“Mom, why are you here?” Willow asked.
Willow watched as her Mom’s lips curved up into a smile. The expression filled Willow with dread rather than comfort. She had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Willow couldn’t keep a grimace from spreading across her face. Her mother laughed at her reaction.
“Don’t make that face, dear. Your face might freeze that way,” Angela warned.
Willow gave an audible scoff. That warning hadn’t worked on her since she was a child. Willow narrowed her gaze, taking in the sight of her mother.
“Mom. Why are you here?”
“Can a mother not come to visit?” Angela asked.
“Other mothers can. But I want to know what brings you around?”
Angela gave her an expression of mock surprise.
“Fine. If you must know I need a place to stay for a while,” Angela offered.
“And you want to stay here?” Willow asked.
“I don’t have anywhere else to go,” Angela folded her arms over her chest.
“How long do you need to stay?” Willow asked. She purposefully didn’t answer Angela’s question.
“Not long. A few weeks. Maybe a month. NO more than that I promise,” Angela pleaded.
“What happened to your place?” Willow asked, still hesitant to agree to anything involving her mother.
“I’m having a little trouble renewing my lease. It won’t be a problem. Scout’s honor.”
“Okay. I’m letting you stay no longer than one month,” Willow said coolly.
“Thank you, sweetie. You won’t regret this.”
Angela ran to her car and pulled five suitcases from the back seat. Willow could feel her head starting to pound. She already regretted agreeing to let her mother stay. Angela stood on the top step waiting to be let in.
“You know, we should get a key made for me,” Angela suggested.
Willow said nothing, her smile tightened. She could be with Mel right now. But instead, she was gaining a roommate that she didn’t want. Willow swallowed a sassy remark, allowing it to die in her throat. For better or worse this would be her life for the next month.