8. Melissa
Chapter Eight
MELISSA
As Lisa and I walk into the Sugar Breeze Bakery, the warm aroma of freshly baked pastries fills my nostrils.
My eyes scan the display case, taking in the rows of flaky croissants, glistening fruit tarts, and decadent chocolate cakes.
"I don't know how I'm going to choose," I say to Lisa. "Everything looks amazing."
She nudges me with her elbow. "Let's be bad and get one of each."
I laugh. "I like the way you think."
We place our order with the perky blonde behind the counter, then find a small table by the window.
Lisa takes a big bite of her chocolate croissant and sighs with pleasure. "Oh my god, this is orgasmic. You have to try it."
She holds it out to me and I lean in, taking a bite. The buttery layers melt on my tongue, the bittersweet chocolate rich and smooth. "Wow. We are definitely coming back here."
"Told you." Lisa grins, a smudge of chocolate on her lip. Then she leans forward. “So, how have been you enjoying your week in my little beach town?”
"I'm loving it," I reply truthfully, sipping my latte. The foam tickles my upper lip. "This is exactly what I needed. A chance to relax, recharge, and not think about work for once."
Lisa nods. "I'm so glad. You deserve a break after everything you've been through. Have you decided what you want to do now that you’ve quit the firm?"
I hesitate, my fingers toying with the handle of my mug. "Honestly, I'm not sure yet. Pro bono work is definitely my passion, and I'd love to get back into doing guardian ad litem stuff. But it will be tough without the resources of a firm behind me." I take another sip of my latte. “Right now, I’m just trying to focus on the Diamond Dreams case.”
"How's that going, by the way?" Lisa asks, her green eyes curious.
"Well, we had a major breakthrough recently. We were able to track down Trevor, the board member who embezzled the money. He’s in custody, but all the money he spent is gone, of course."
Lisa shakes her head. “Of course.”
"But it looks like he will at least do some serious time behind bars," I continue. "And the great news is, Sebastian's foundation has been working overtime to raise money to replace what was stolen. They've held a bunch of fundraisers and reached out to private donors."
Lisa's eyes widen. "That's incredible! So, the scholarship recipients will still get their money?"
I nod, a smile spreading across my face. "Every single one of them. We're not going to let Trevor's actions destroy those girls' dreams."
"Melissa, that's amazing." Lisa reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. "You should be so proud of the work you've done on this case. Those girls are lucky to have you fighting for them."
I feel a rush of emotion at her words. "Thank you. It hasn't been easy, but knowing we're making a real difference makes it all worth it."
“And best of all, you get to do all of your legal work in this little slice of paradise.”
I chuckle. “It’s honestly still a little crazy being here. I guess I'm just not used to having so much free time. I don't know what to do with myself."
Lisa winks at me. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing Bash knows exactly what to do with you.”
I nearly choke on my bite of croissant, heat flooding my cheeks. “Lisa!”
Lisa laughs. “What? There’s nothing wrong with getting spoiled rotten by your hot boyfriend, Melissa. And speaking of boyfriends, why didn’t you tell me that you two made it official?”
Darn small towns.
“I’m guessing Jack and Marlie told you?” I ask. Jack and Marlie are Lisa’s in-laws.
Lisa nods. “Yep. The four of us went to dinner last night. And the first things Marlie mentioned is that you and Bash are together now. She was gushing about how cute you two are."
I bite my lip, feeling guilty for not telling Lisa myself. She's my best friend, after all. "I'm sorry, girl. I was going to tell you, I swear. It's just... everything happened so fast."
"Fast?" Lisa raises an eyebrow. "Honey, the man has barely left your side since the two of you reconnected. It was just a matter of time.”
I bite my lip. "I don't know... It seemed like kind of a spur of the moment thing. I'm not even sure if he really means it. You know Bash says a lot of stuff he doesn't mean."
"Oh stop." She waves a hand. "That boy has been gone on you since high school. Trust me, if Bash said he wants to be your boyfriend, he means it. Hell, he probably wanted to call you his wife but thought he’d scare you off if he did."
I shake my head, old insecurities rising to the surface. “What if I’m misinterpreting things again, seeing more than what’s actually there? I don’t think I could handle getting my hopes up only to have them crushed.”
My voice cracks on the last word, and I blink back the sudden sting of tears. Lisa reaches across the table to squeeze my hand.
“I know it’s scary to put your heart on the line again, especially given your past with Bash. But you can’t let fear hold you back from something that could be amazing.”
Lisa's words strike a chord deep inside me. I know she's right. I can't keep hiding behind my walls, afraid to take a chance. Especially not with Bash. Not when everything inside me is screaming that this is real, that we could have something truly special.
And these last few days have definitely been special.
I think back on all the little moments that Bash and I have shared since I arrived in Barton Beach. The way his eyes light up whenever he sees me, like I'm the only person in the world who matters. The gentle brush of his fingers against my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. The late night talks on the beach, our toes buried in the cool sand as we open up to each other in a way we never have before.
It's more than just physical attraction, more than the explosive chemistry that crackles between us. There's a depth of feeling, a sense of rightness that I've never experienced with anyone else. When I'm with Bash, I feel seen, understood, cherished in a way that takes my breath away.
And I can't ignore the fact that he's been there for me in every way that counts. He even stood by my side as I made the difficult decision to leave my firm.
In just a few short weeks, Bash Cooper has become my rock, my safe harbor in the midst of the chaos. And as terrifying as it is to admit, I know deep down that what we have is real. That Bash isn't just saying pretty words - he truly wants to build something meaningful with me.
I take a deep breath, meeting Lisa's gaze. "You're right. I know you are. It's just hard to silence that nagging voice of doubt, you know?"
"Believe me, I get it. After everything John put me through, trusting again felt impossible at first. But you just have to keep reminding yourself that this isn’t high school. The two of you aren’t the same people you were back then."
The conviction in Lisa's voice bolsters my courage. She's walking proof that it's possible to heal, to open your heart again after devastating heartbreak. If she could do it, maybe I can too.
"I'm trying," I admit softly. "Bash makes it easy to believe in love again. The way he looks at me, touches me... It's unlike anything I've ever experienced before. Like I'm the only woman in the world."
A soft smile curves Lisa's lips. "That's because to him, you are. He's crazy about you, Melissa. Anyone can see it."
Warmth blooms in my chest at her words, chasing away the lingering shadows of doubt. "I'm crazy about him, too," I confess. "Completely head over heels."
Lisa beams at me. "I'm so happy for you, Melissa. You deserve this, more than anyone I know. Just promise me one thing?"
"What's that?" I ask, taking another sip of my latte.
"Don't overthink it. For once in your life, just let yourself be happy without questioning everything."
I laugh softly. "Easier said than done for me. But I'll try."
"Good. Because I have a feeling this thing with you and Bash is going to be epic." Lisa winks at me over the rim of her coffee cup.
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes with an incoming text. I glance down at the screen and feel a flush of heat when I see Bash's name.
"Let me guess... Bash?" Lisa smirks knowingly.
"Maybe," I hedge, feeling my cheeks warm.
She laughs. "Oh please, you're practically glowing.”
I open the text, my eyes widening as I read his words. “Bash wants me to get dressed up for a romantic night out. He’s finally going to show me the Silver Coop.”
“Wait, you still haven’t seen the famous Coop yet?” Lisa asks.
I shake my head.
"No, every time I brought it up this week, Bash said he wanted to wait until everything was perfect before taking me there." I feel a flutter of anticipation in my stomach. "Looks like tonight's the night."
Lisa grins. "Well, then, what are we waiting for? Let's get you home and dolled up for your man! I'm thinking that sexy lavender dress you packed..."
I bite my lip, considering. The lavender dress is definitely a showstopper - form-fitting and low-cut in all the right places. The kind of dress designed to bring a man to his knees.
And isn't that exactly what I want tonight? To see the heat flare in Bash's green eyes as they rake over my curves, to feel his big hands tighten possessively on my hips...
"The lavender dress it is," I decide, my skin already feeling hot and tight at the thought of Bash's reaction.
We quickly finish up our pastries and coffees, then head out to Lisa's car. As she drives me back to the beach house, we chat and laugh, catching up on each other's lives. But beneath the easy conversation, I can feel the thrum of excitement building inside me.
Because I know that tonight isn't just about seeing Bash's bar. It's about taking our relationship to the next level, solidifying this incredible connection between us.
It's about finally, fully giving my heart to the man I've loved for longer than I can remember.