Chapter 43 Melanie
MELANIE
The days leading up to the concert blur by faster than I expect.
It feels like just yesterday that Josh showed up here, upending my life and somehow putting it back together at the same time.
Ever since the night in the hotel, things have been downright blissful.
Josh moved back in and it’s as if he never left.
We’ve easily slipped back into our rhythm—work, write, rehearse, fall into bed together, repeat—and I still catch myself wondering how I got this lucky.
We still haven’t talked about what happens next. About Tennessee. I think he’s really waiting to see what Mark and the label people have to say after the show. I’d be lying if I said I’m not anxious. But one thing feels solid: we’re together. And I want to believe that’s enough. I hope it’s enough.
Friday morning, I stop by my dad’s house.
Joan is out and I’m quietly grateful. I fix us two glasses of ice water and a bowl of fruit salad.
Dad’s moving around a bit more than he was when we brought him home from the hospital, slow but steady.
For the first time in days, he actually looks comfortable—less pale, more himself.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, spooning some fruit into a bowl and setting it in front of him.
“I’m okay. Better. The real question is, how are you feeling? Tomorrow is the big show.” His grin is wide and proud as he pats my hand. “I’m so proud of you, baby.”
I feel my cheeks flush and a smile tugs at my mouth. “Thanks, Dad. Josh and I are ready.”
“And the record company?”
“They fly in tomorrow morning. We’re supposed to have dinner with them after the show but… I don’t know. I might let Josh handle that.”
“What? Why?” He looks at me like I’ve lost my marbles. “They’re interested in both of you.”
“You know how I am,” I say, with a weary sigh. “The limelight is hard for me. Besides, I’ll want to get back here and check on you.”
“I’ll be just fine. Sophie is going to FaceTime me while you’re onstage.” Dad chuckles. “It’ll be like I’m there, just with air conditioning.”
I smile softly. “You’re right. And I know Josh wants me by his side. I just… I haven’t thought about what I’ll do if they make us an offer that takes me away from here.” I study my dad’s face for any hesitation, any flicker of fear. But I come up empty.
“You’ll do it,” he says simply. “Because it’s your dream.”
“What about you though?” I press. “I can’t leave you.”
“You can. And you will. If it comes to that.”
Dad takes a sip of his water and clears his throat. “Joan and I are talking about making things a bit more permanent around here.”
The subject change makes the back of my neck prickle.
“You mean…marriage? I thought you said you’d never get married again.” My jaw falls slack with surprise.
Dad barks out a laugh, waving his hand. “No, no. But I might ask her to move in.”
I blink, momentarily speechless before feeling a smile spread across my face. “That’s great, Dad. I’m really glad you found each other.”
“Yeah?” His voice is almost shy.
“Yeah.” I smile warmly, reaching over to pull him into a hug.
“I was a little nervous to tell you,” Dad admits, sipping his water. “Didn’t know how you’d react.”
“Yeah, I kind of picked up on that when I didn’t know she existed until you were in the hospital.” I give him a teasing glance.
Pink creeps into Dad’s cheeks. “Sorry about that. I’ve just been on my own for so long, I didn’t know how to explain it.”
Before I can reply, a timer sounds, its soft beep interrupting us.
“Time for my meds,” he says, standing up. “Joan set me a timer for when she’s not here.” Dad moves slowly around the peninsula to get his prescription bottles.
I watch him closely, something loosening in my chest. Yeah. I think we’re both going to be okay.
* * *
Saturday morning hits me hard, thanks to the sound of Josh’s excruciating alarm. I’ll never understand why he picked the most offensive sound in the iPhone alarm library, but every time it goes off, I’m convinced I’m waking up in crisis. My nervous system thanks him.
I pull the pillow over my head and groan. We’re lying back-to-back but I feel the tap of his knuckles on my hip.
“Come on,” he says, his voice rough with sleep but amused. “You have to get up.”
I keep the pillow over my head but roll over, peering at him as he sits up and turns off the alarm.
“Why?” I mumble.
“Because, I thought you could use a little pampering.”
I chuckle. “Sex doesn’t count as pampering.”
Josh barks out a laugh. “I wouldn’t set an alarm for that.”
He reaches over and peeks at me beneath the pillow, revealing my squinty, skeptical face. “I made you an appointment for a mani-pedi and you’re getting your hair done. I thought you would want to relax before tonight. You deserve to feel your best.”
I blink at him. His words land with more weight than he probably realizes. “Are you serious?”
Josh nods, a proud grin climbing his face.
“But I am picky about who I let touch my hair and nails.” I frown instinctively.
“Already handled. Sophie gave me a full list for the future and booked everything for you.”
Josh leans back against the headboard, folding his arms across his chest, clearly pleased with himself.
“Wow.” I sit up, scooting close, my fingers finding the waves at the nape of his neck. “You really thought of everything.”
Josh looks at me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “This is your chance at your dream, babe. I want you to walk into that show tonight feeling unstoppable.”
My heart squeezes and I can’t speak, so I nod, leaning in to kiss his cheek before slipping out of bed.
“Okay,” I say, grinning now. “I’m going.”
The ocean breeze is light when I arrive at the nail salon, and there’s Sophie, leaning against the brick building, holding two iced coffees.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, a smile already blooming on my face.
“I figured if I was booking an appointment for you, I should treat myself, too.” She hands me a drink.
I laugh, touched that she thought of me. “What is it?”
“I hope you like it. I asked Liam what you like, and he wasn’t sure, so I took a guess.”
“I’m sure it’s great,” I say, taking a sip. “Shall we?”
We spend the next two hours getting pampered in the best kind of way—hot towels, scrubs, perfectly polished nails, and the easy rhythm of conversation. My hair salon is a short walk away and I’m so looking forward to the scalp massage and blowout in my future.
“Tell your dad I’ll FaceTime him a little before six,” Sophie says, pulling off the toe separators as we walk toward the door.
“I will. Thank you so much for doing that for him. He’s going to love it.”
I lean in for a hug and Sophie squeezes me tight, lingering a little before pulling back.
“You know, Mel, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy. Your dad sees it too.”
I look down, swallowing the knot that forms in my throat. “Thanks. I…I am happy. It’s all felt like a dream.”
Sophie places a hand on my shoulder, firm and grounding. “So, keep going. Don’t stop here. Trust me when I say, it’s never too late to go after what you want. You have spent a long time watching other people be happy, supporting them. It’s your turn, Mel.”
At this something pulls loose inside me, quiet and sure. For so long, I’ve been afraid to go after what I really want. I’ve played it safe, kept myself in the background. But Sophie’s right. Maybe it’s time I believe that I deserve more out of life than simply surviving it.
* * *
By the time six p.m. rolls around, the confidence I felt earlier is dwindling.
I am not sure what I expected, but I did not expect every ounce of green space in this park to be taken up by bodies.
I did not expect people to be holding up “We Love Josh & Melanie” signs or cheering and calling out to us while we set up.
This was supposed to be a friendly neighborhood concert.
A small acoustic set. Instead, it feels like we’re playing for a sold-out stadium.
Sweat beads at my temples, and I feel the color drain from my face as I move my stool in front of the microphone.
I’ve reapplied my lip gloss twice and if I keep messing with my hair, it might fall out.
I step into the wings, away from the crowd, to take out my second guitar—my original seafoam green acoustic from our teen years. For old time’s sake.
“You good?” Josh asks, startling me as he steps behind me. His voice is low and calm, steady in a way I’m not.
“Honestly? No. I think I might throw up.” I turn and meet his eyes, and he pulls me close.
“That’s how you know it matters,” he murmurs. “We’ve got this.”
I exhale a laugh. “But I’ve never played my music for a crowd like this. And there are record execs out there.”
He leans in, brushing his lips against the shell of my ear. “They’re lucky to be here.”
I close my eyes, grounding myself to this moment—to this man. The feeling of his hands, the warmth of his body behind mine. All of it is something I never thought I’d get again.
“We’ve got this,” he whispers, and a shiver runs up my spine from the feel of his breath on my ear. He whirls me around to face him, cupping my cheek. “I know it’s been a long road to get here, Mel. But this is only the beginning.”
He kisses me then, slow and reassuring. I feel the beat of his heart against mine, anchoring me to him.
“Ladies and gentlemen.” Councilman Corbin’s voice comes over the loudspeaker. “I’d like to welcome you to Rotary Park for a very special Labor Day Weekend concert…”
Josh tips my chin to his, meeting my eyes. “You ready?” he whispers.
I nod, my breath catching. “With you? Yeah.”
He nods, lacing his fingers through mine as we wait to be announced.
“Please welcome, Cape May’s own Josh Cote and Melanie Glick!”
The crowd cheers, beckoning us. But just before we walk on stage, Josh turns to me.
“Let them see what I see when they look at you,” he murmurs.
Just like that, my nerves settle. I smile at him, squeezing his hand, and we walk on stage—together.