Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
MELLIE
“Bye, Mellie!”
I wave to our receptionist as I leave the office, heading into the hallway in the direction of the elevators. My feet drag along the carpeted corridor, my exhaustion from the week catching up to me at long last.
The team has been going hard in the writing room, and it’s utterly draining.
I had no idea before arriving here how mentally tired I’d be at the end of every day.
It’s a constant flow of energy being put forth in there, bouncing ideas off of one another and—oh yeah—re-write after re-write after re-write.
All I can allow myself to think about right now is the pair of fluffy slippers waiting for my tired feet at home and calling Ronin to see how his week went.
A shot of adrenaline shoots up my spine at the thought of seeing him.
It’s been over a week since our last video call, and I miss my boyfriend’s face so much I could weep.
It’s not the only thing I miss, either. Three whole months of distance has me ready and rearing to go like I’ve never been before. We really need to plan a visit as soon as possible before I spontaneously combust and wind up burning down my apartment building.
The elevator dings and I step in, smiling blandly at the few people already inside.
We ride down in silence, emptying out into the lobby and then I’m swept up in the foot traffic of downtown Los Angeles—the one thing I definitely didn’t miss about LA.
It’s an hour of travel time between the Metro ride to the station closest to my apartment and the taxi ride home.
When I finally arrive, I kick off my shoes the moment I unlock the door, and drop my bag on the couch on the way to my bedroom. Minutes later I emerge in my coziest set of pajamas and my fluffy slippers, and head into the kitchen to whip up something for dinner.
I miss my mom’s cooking. I miss Ronin’s cooking.
Settled onto the couch with my microwaved dinner, I open my laptop sitting on the coffee table. Right on cue, my video chat app rings and I hurriedly click to answer.
Ronin’s face fills my computer screen and I immediately relax, the tension from my work week seeping into the sofa as I grin at my boyfriend.
“Hi, baby!” I practically squeal the greeting, and Ronin’s deep blue eyes crinkle as he smiles back at me.
“Hey, beautiful,” he replies. A chair creaks as he sits down, and I realize he’s in his office and not at home, cozy like me.
“Couldn’t get the night off, huh?” I ask as I begin to spoon scorching hot macaroni and cheese into my mouth. I definitely think I’ve burned some of my tastebuds off in my rush.
Ronin sighs. “No, we had a last minute call-out from our already minimal staff, so here I am. I’ve been here all day.” He looks about as tired as I feel. “Think anyone will notice if I close up early?”
“Hmm, that depends. Has Sal already stopped in for his Friday night tea party?” That man rivals Imogen for the role of town gossip.
Ronin and I have a running joke about Sal’s “tea parties” at the diner, which is basically him filling Ronin in on all the latest town dramatics while he hangs around the bar.
Then, of course, Ronin tells me all about it during our daily, or sometimes weekly, talks.
“No, actually,” Ronin replies, amused. “Drama must be low this week. He’s usually here by now.”
I giggle. “Impossible. The drama meter doesn’t go low enough.”
I take another few bites of my dinner before placing the empty tray on the coffee table and pulling the laptop onto my lap, stretching out my legs and leaning back.
“How was your week?” Ronin leans in closer to his screen as he asks the question. “I know I’m not supposed to say this to a woman, but you look tired, babe.”
Sighing, I nod slowly. “I am. So tired. But we managed to have a really productive week, so hopefully it’s all worth it once this script gets finished.”
Ronin places an elbow on his desk and rests his chin in his hand. “It will be. You’ll achieve nothing less, I’m sure of it.”
I fiddle with the hem of my pajama shirt. “I miss you.”
“I miss you too, baby. So damn much.”
We sit in silence for a few moments, each of us caught up in our own heads for a beat.
“How’s the bookstore? Nora doing okay?”
“She’s doing alright, yeah. Her and Grandpa are still trying to figure out their plan for the store, though. In the meantime, she’s promoted Sydney to full-time.” Ronin drags his hand down his face, his eyes strained with exhaustion around the edges. “But she’s doing good, all things considered.”
My chest twists at his words. It wasn’t easy leaving Nora and the bookstore after I’d told her I would be there to take over for her.
The guilt has been my constant companion these last couple of months.
She assured me it was okay, that she understood completely why I was leaving, but that hasn’t made the feeling I let her down any quieter.
“Good,” I say lamely. “Well, give her a hug for me next time you see her, okay?”
“Sure thing, sweetheart. We have a movie date in a few days, so I’ll be sure to pass along your hug.”
A knock on Ronin’s end pierces the speakers, and Ronin dips off screen for a mumbled conversation. A beat later he returns to his chair, sinking down with another sigh.
“I’m so sorry, Mel, but I’ve gotta run early. They need me out front.” He looks so apologetic, I want to crawl inside of the computer screen so I can wrap him in my arms and comfort him.
“That’s okay, I understand.” I tap the computer screen right on top of where his face is. “I miss you, I love you, and I’ll talk to you real soon, okay?”
“Back at you, baby. Love you, Mel. Talk soon.”
The call cuts off, and I’m left sitting in my silent apartment wondering what the hell I’m even doing here when my whole entire heart is back in a tiny little flower town.