Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
RONIN
As soon as the movie ends, Mellie retracts her legs, curling into the corner of the love seat. My lap suddenly feels cold without her warmth.
“So Cat, what did you think of your first experience with the greatest Christmas film of all time?” Mellie inquires, a glint in her amber eyes.
“It was good!” Cat replies, turning to face us. “Not exactly what I was expecting, but I liked it. Bruce Willis was kind of hot back in the day.”
“Right? Severely underrated,” Mellie agrees, nodding her head vigorously.
Evan gives me a slight eye roll. “Need a refill, Ronin?” He tilts his head toward the kitchen, so I nod.
Leaving the women to discuss the merits of young Bruce Willis, Evan and I head through the dining room and into the kitchen. Evan reaches into the refrigerator to grab two beers and hands one to me. He leans against the counter and twists the cap off of his bottle.
“I gotta tell you something, man.” His expression is more serious than his usual playful demeanor, immediately catching my attention. Evan and I have grown much closer over these last few years, to the point where I consider him one of my closest friends.
“What’s up, Ev?” I sit down on one of the stools situated around their kitchen island.
Evan takes a deep breath, eyes darting to the kitchen entrance and back to mine, then says quietly, “I’m going to propose to Cat.” He seems surprised after he says it, like he can’t believe he’s voicing it out loud.
“Dude, that’s great!” I congratulate him. “I’m so happy for you. When do you think you’ll ask her?”
“New Year’s Eve. I know, it’s kind of cliche, but I don’t care. I think she’d love it.” Evan twists his beer bottle in his hands.
“She’s going to say yes, Evan. It’s obvious to anyone around you two how much you love each other,” I reassure him. “This is amazing news. Does Mellie know yet?”
Evan shakes his head. “I haven’t had a chance to tell her. I was really nervous about her meeting Cat, but I think they’re getting along pretty good, right?”
I nod, taking a sip of my beer before answering. “Mellie said she really likes her.”
That brings a smile to Evan’s face, and it warms my heart a little bit to see my friend perk back up.
“Thanks, man. That’s really good to hear.
” He laughs to himself. “I never pictured myself as this love struck person, but here I am. I’m nervous, but I’m fucking excited, man.
I love her so damn much. I just want to marry her and spend my life with her. ”
I know the feeling better than Evan realizes. He must see something in my expression, because he eyes me, a smirk playing around his mouth.
“So,” he says, drawing out the word. He places his beer on the counter. “Wanna tell me what’s going on with my sister?” His smile turns mischievous.
I choke on the sip of beer I just took. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie.
“Uh, you two had a serious moment back there. I saw it. I thought you guys were about to kiss or something.” His smirk widens into a grin, and he crosses his arms in front of him. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to interrupt you or cheer you on.”
A chuckle escapes me. “I mean, yeah.” I run my hand through my long hair, tousling it.
“There, maybe, was a moment there. It’s happened a few times since Mel’s been back, actually.
Like something between us, I don’t know, just feels different than it was before she left.
I don’t want to make something out of nothing if it’s all in my head. ”
Evan shakes his head. “Nah, man.” He sighs, dropping his arms to his sides.
“Look, I know something happened between you and my sister before she left, but she would never tell anyone about it. But whatever it was, it’s been four years.
You two have grown up a lot since then, and I don’t know, maybe distance made the heart grow fonder or whatever that bullshit saying is. ”
“Maybe. Would it bother you, if it had? She is your sister.”
“I’m not going to do the intimidating brother thing. You’ve been like family to me since I was a kid. I know you would take care of her, and I know she would be great for you. You guys are so similar, it’s kind of creepy, actually.”
Evan pauses, coming to sit down at the island, taking the stool across from me.
His blue stare is serious as he levels his gaze at me.
“But she is my sister, and I don’t ever want to see her hurt.
And I definitely don’t want her to move a thousand miles away again.
So, whatever it is that went bad between you two last time, fix it.
Do it right this time, bro. Woo her, buy her flowers and shit, whatever you have to do. Don’t fuck this up.”
My throat feels thick and I can’t speak for a moment. “You’re a good brother, Evan, and a good friend. Thanks, man.”
We both stand, coming in for a tight hug, giving each other a few pats on the back before stepping away.
“I think I’m going to try a new tactic for once and just…take things slow with Mel,” I confide, picking up my beer. “I’ve pushed too hard in the past when we were clearly not on the same page.”
“But you think you are now?”
“I think now things feel new,” I hedge, fiddling with my beer bottle. “We can take some time to become friends again, and then who knows? We’ll see what happens.” I toss the rest of my drink back, shooting Evan a knowing smile as I do.
“What do you say we grab some refills for the girls and head back in there? Mellie needs to learn the definition of Christmas movie.” Evan turns to the fridge for a couple more beers.
“I think I’ll take a raincheck on another movie. It’s getting late and I should head home.” I run my hands through my hair again. “Besides, I’m not sure I can sit through another two hours in the dark next to your sister right now.”
Evan gives my arm a punch as we head back into the living room, and I say my farewells. When I lean down to hug Mellie goodbye, I hear an intake of breath. I linger a moment, letting my fingers run across the nape of her neck before pulling away.
Hours later, I can still feel the warmth of her skin on my fingertips. I lay awake, staring at the ceiling and wondering what the hell I’m gonna do about being in love with my best friend.
The week flies by.
I’m slammed at the diner, and extra shifts have been thrust upon me since Rachel came down with the post-holiday flu.
Besides a few awkward attempts at flirting through texts and the handful of times I ran into Mel around town, usually arm in arm with Bree or Mrs. Baker, I haven’t had any significant time with her since Christmas Day.
Before I know it, New Year’s Eve rolls around and by some blessing, Will has volunteered to cover the diner. I find myself standing in my bedroom, studying my reflection in my mirror and trying to decide if I’m underdressed for Bree’s party tonight.
I opt for my black jeans, a snug-fit black Henley, and my black leather jacket. I attempt to style my hair, but it winds up just a tousled mess, so I give up trying to tame it.
After one last glance in the mirror, I chastise myself for being so ridiculous and leave my house.
I head in the direction of Bree’s home a few blocks over.
As I walk, a mixture of nerves and excitement knot my stomach at the thought of seeing Mellie tonight, alongside that ever present hint of desire I’ve carried with me since that moment on her couch.
Be real, Ronin. It’s been a lot longer than that.
When she broke the news of moving back to Blue Fields, it was like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.
I hadn’t realized how deeply I needed her to say yes to my grandmother until she actually did.
I didn’t want to let myself hope before then, but now that she’s staying, now that she’s back, there’s been a permanent kernel of something settling in my chest, growing a little larger by the day.
It makes me want to nurture it, foster the burgeoning seed into something worthwhile.
I’m willing to take the time, to take this second chance to get it right with Mel.
Without rushing into it. With the grace and care of an elephant in a china shop.
I reach Bree’s house and ring the doorbell. The door swings open and I’m greeted by loud voices and music flowing from inside. Brooklyn stands in the entry, a glass of something amber in her hand.
“Hey, Ronin! Come on in, man,” Brooklyn shouts, swaying slightly in the threshold.
I wonder how many of those glasses she’s already consumed tonight as I step inside. She pulls me in for an awkward hug before disappearing back into the crowd.
It seems like everyone in Blue Fields between the ages of twenty and forty is currently crammed into Bree’s house. Sidestepping around a couple sitting on the floor, I wander toward the kitchen, hoping to find a drink. I almost run smack into Mellie as I round the corner.
“Oh!” she exclaims, the drink she holds sloshing dangerously close to the rim of her glass. I stop where I am, standing in the kitchen doorway, and words fail me as I take her in.
She’s wearing probably—definitely—the sexiest outfit I have ever seen on any woman in my life.
Tight black dress pants are paired with a sharp black blazer, the sleeves rolled up a few times to show off her wrists.
Since when are wrists sexy? Am I living in Bridgerton now?
Next thing you know, she’ll be asking me to button her cuff and I’ll swoon.
Under the blazer is a sexy, lacy black top that is dangerously low-cut and gives a healthy peek of cleavage. Her strawberry-blonde hair is pulled up into a messy bun on the top of her head, a few delicate tendrils drifting around to frame her flushed face.
She is devastating.
“Hey!” Mellie shouts, pointing at herself and then me. “We match!” She breaks out into giggles.
Looking down at my outfit, I realize we do indeed match in our all-black ensembles. I chuckle. “You wear it better.” I wink, and a deep blush creeps up her neck to her already rosy cheeks.