Chapter 19
“Do you think I’m being dramatic?” Mel asked. Jordan arched her eyebrow as she took a sip of coffee.
Mel watched Jordan with vested interest. The woman was probably the most competent person Mel had ever met. Jordan paused and Mel could tell she was considering her answer before she spoke. After her encounter with Willow, Mel had gone to the smartest person she knew. When it came to life there were few people whose advice Mel trusted more than Jordan’s.
“Did Willow say she wanted a break?” Jordan asked.
“No. I asked for the break because I wanted her to be able to truly work everything out with her ex. I didn’t want there to be any questions as far as who she wanted to be with.”
Jordan nodded thoughtfully.
“But was part of you hoping Willow would say she didn’t need a break? Was part of you wanting her to say that she already knew you were her choice?” Jordan gave Mel a thoughtful smile. Mel blushed. She felt as though Jordan had cut through to her soul.
“That would have been nice. I wish she could have said those things to me. Of course, part of me wanted to feel chosen right away. But I expected Willow to need to take some time to figure out her feelings. But yes, I wanted what she felt for me to be so overwhelming that she didn’t have to ask any questions,” Mel explained.
“I think you did the right thing. I also don’t think you’re being dramatic. It is a little bit of a blow to start a relationship with someone and then for them to seemingly backpedal out of the blue. At the same time if this woman really did just leave out of the blue I think it’s fair that she needs some closure.”
“So what should I do?” Mel asked.
“Be honest. But be open-minded as well. Willow didn’t seek her ex out. She was forced into an unexpected situation. I would listen to what Willow has to say. Ask any question you can think of to make sure none of your boundaries have been crossed then go from there.”
Mel nodded her head, it was sound advice. She looked around Jordan’s office at all of the adoption photos of dogs with their new owners. Mel found her picture with Mase and smiled at the memory.
“You’re right. I think it’s fair to have some negative feelings. But I also think I need to keep an open mind. Of course, there’s a chance that none of this matters anyway,” Mel admitted.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, there’s always a chance that Willow will ultimately decide to stay with Amy.” Mel tried to make herself sound nonchalant. She tried to say the words as if that scenario wouldn’t rip her in half.
“That’s not going to happen,” Jordan smirked.
“How could you possibly know that?”
“For one, look at you. You’re gorgeous and you’re smart. Willow would be stupid to pick anyone else. But also, Amy left her in the worst possible way. I don’t care what anyone says, that kind of pain is never forgotten.”
“I guess you’re right. But I still can’t bring myself to be completely confident in that. If there’s one thing I know about people, it’s that they have a way of surprising you,” Mel sighed.
“You’re definitely not wrong about that,” Jordan admitted with a smirk.
Mel glanced at her cell. She was going to be late meeting Brianna. When Mel had called her, Brianna had insisted on giving her a pep talk before Willow came over.
“Thanks for talking me through everything. You’re always very helpful.” Mel meant every word. She had come to respect Jordan and her advice.
“Anytime. My door is always open for a friend,” Jordan flashed a warm smile. Mel felt a warming in her heart.
She closed the door behind her as she left. Mel took the corner at a jog and ran smack into someone. They both fell to the floor. Mel stood and extended a hand. When her eyes met the other woman’s she had to stop herself from groaning out loud. Of course, she would run into Willow’s mom. Angela grabbed her hand and pulled herself to her feet. She shot Mel an appraising glance on the way up.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to run you over,” Mel apologized. Angela was quick to shoot her a smile.
“That’s okay. I probably deserve that at the very least after everything,” Angela laughed. Her words took Mel by surprise.
“I’m sorry, what?” Mel asked, confused. Angela gave a loud sigh.
“It has been brought to my attention that I probably overstepped. Apparently, tracking down your daughter’s ex-girlfriend and inviting her over is considered meddling,” Angela smirked. Mel laughed at Angela’s self-realization.
“There are some who would say that,” Mel chuckled.
“What I’m trying to say is that I’m sorry. I thought I was helping by reuniting Willow and Amy. But now I see that you were the one she wanted all along.”
Mel felt a flutter in her heart.
“Why do you say that? It seems like Willow was more than considering Amy,” Mel said in a half-grumble. She forced herself to smile. This was Willow’s mom, after all.
“Sweetie, Willow doesn’t have eyes for anyone but you. She just wanted closure with Amy so that she could move on,” Angela insisted.
Mel wanted to allow Angela’s words to comfort her more than anything. But she could still feel her heart holding back. Angela could see the concern on her face.
“It can be hard to give someone a second chance,” Angela said.
“Yes, it can. What if she never loves me the same way she loved Amy?”
“She won’t,” Angela said with a shrug of her shoulders.
“What?”
“No two loves are ever the same. Willow had what she had with Amy. It can’t be duplicated with you, and it shouldn’t be. Because what you have with Willow will be your own special thing.”
“Thank you for saying that. It means a lot to have your support,” Mel admitted.
“You don’t need my support. Willow loves you,” Angela chuckled.
“Maybe not. But I still want your support,” Mel reassured her.
“Then in that case, you have it,” Angela smiled. Mel returned a smile of her own.
“What are you doing here?” Mel asked, suddenly curious.
“Well, since I’m going to be staying in WaterColor for a while I thought I could volunteer here,” Angela explained.
“That’s wonderful. Jordan, the manager, is always looking for volunteers,” Mel smiled.
“Then I guess I’m in the right place,” Angela teased.
“You definitely are.”
Mel checked her cell and cursed silently. She was running late to catch up with Brianna. When she finally pulled into her driveway Brianna was sitting on the porch. Her friend didn’t say anything, but Mel could tell Brianna was perturbed. Shit.
“I’m so sorry. I ran into Willow’s mom,” Mel explained. She watched as Brianna’s eyebrows lifted, her frustration suddenly replaced by interest. Mel smiled as she opened the door.
“How did that come about?” Brianna asked with a smirk.
“I was rounding the corner and ran right into her. Which seems to be a bit of a theme for me lately,” Mel groaned.
Brianna laughed as she took her usual spot on Mel’s couch. For the first time, Mel noticed that there was a Brianna-sized indentation in the couch cushion where her friend usually sat. She felt an unexpected warmth radiate from her heart. That spot represented hours worth of her and Brianna hanging out.
“Are you okay?” Brianna asked.
“Yeah. I was just thinking about your spot on my couch,” Mel explained.
“Okay. Why do you look like you want to cry?”
“Because there’s a you-sized indent in my couch. And it’s because you and I have spent so many hours talking on this couch,” Mel said with a warm smile.
“Oh, my goodness. You’re equal parts weird and sweet,” Brianna laughed. She threw an arm around Mel and pulled her in for a hug.
“Now, tell me about running into Angela,” Brianna smiled.
“Well, she told me that Willow wanted me and not Amy.”
“That’s something at least.”
“Maybe,” Mel admitted.
“What do you mean, maybe?”
“It’s very reliant on Angela knowing what is going on inside Willow’s head. And I’m not sure about that.”
“I would say for her to have such a dramatic about-face, there has to be a reason,” Brianna offered.
“I guess we’ll find out tonight.”
“Everything will work out. Even if you and Willow go your separate ways it’ll all work out.”
“I know. It’s just the anticipation that gets to me,” Mel admitted.
“That’s understandable. But you’ve got this. And whatever happens I’m happy to sink your couch in more whenever you need it,” Brianna laughed. Mel rolled her eyes but smiled.
“I should get going. I want to give you time to prepare for your talk with Willow.”
“Thanks for coming over, friend. I appreciate the pep talk.”
“Anytime,” Brianna laughed. She gave Mel one last hug and headed for the door. Before she stepped out Brianna turned back to her.
“You’ve got this, buddy,” Brianna said. Mel gave her a smile and watched as Brianna closed the door behind her.
It was strange being left here alone and waiting. Mel couldn’t help but wish the time would pass quicker. In an hour Willow would be there and Mel would have her answers one way or another.