I picked up a pen, intending to leave notes at the edge of the document whenever something stood out.
“I did.”
“And this woman you went to the shelter with is a friend?”
I stopped in the act of marking the document, laughing. I wasn’t sure if this was Isabelle’s work—asking Mom to dig for info—or if Mom was curious.
“What are you asking, Mother?”
“Well, what I did.”
“Why would she be anything other than a friend?” I was interested in her answer.
“Just a mother’s intuition.”
That was clear as mud.
“Mel is a friend, Mother.”
“Hmm....” She didn’t sound at all convinced.
“Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?” I asked.
“No, no. I’ll let you get on with your work. Have a great day, darling.”
“You too.”
After the call disconnected, I remembered my conversation with Mel about her dad. She and I were so similar in this regard—always looking out for our family and trying to give them the best. I remembered her telling me about this medicine she wanted to get for her dad, and I knew just the person to call to make it happen. Ian and I had contacts in the pharma industry, and while I typically wasn’t one to ask for favors, this was important to Mel, and she was a friend.
For now.
Chapter Eleven
Mel
“Thanks for helping me,” Charlotte exclaimed. My best friend and I were in my apartment, sorting out the accounting for the shelter. It had been a short day at the gym. My last session would have been with Dylan, but he canceled at the last moment because he had a meeting. It had been three days since I went to his apartment, and he hadn’t shown up at the gym at all. I couldn’t help wondering if he was avoiding me.
“No problem. Now, since we’re done with accounting, want to join me for a glass of wine on the balcony?”
Charlotte nodded excitedly, running a hand through her platinum blond hair. Unlike me, she was a born and bred New Yorker. When we met at NYU, she made it her mission to make me fall in love with the city. We navigated our student days side by side, waitressing every spare minute to make ends meet.
“You know, I think I should adopt some of your resolutions. I like the idea of enjoying the sunset when possible.”
“I know, right? It’s such a relaxing way to wind down after a long day.”
We’d been working from the couch in my living room, and I got up, stretching my neck. I was about to head to the kitchen when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Taking it out, I glanced at the screen.
Unknown: We need to talk.
I blinked, checking the number, and I instantly saw red. It was Elliot’s. I considered myself a calm person, but my ex was the crappiest person I’d ever met.
Mel: No, we don’t. We have nothing to say to each other.
Unknown: Don’t be like this. It’s important.
“What’s wrong?” Charlotte asked. “You look like you want to throw your phone out the window.”
“Elliot messaged me.”
“Hell no. Why didn’t you block his number?”
“Umm... I’m not sure how to do that. I deleted it.”
“It’s not the same thing as blocking. Come on. Give me your phone, and I’ll do it.”
I handed her the phone, and she tapped the screen a few times.
“Ready. Oh. Wait, you have another message. From Dylan. That’s the guy who took the puppy for his sister, right?”
“Yes.” I stretched out my hand, grabbing the phone.
“Oooh, someone’s excited.”
Dylan: Hey, I found someone who can get the medicine for your dad, but I need a copy of the prescription. And if you text me your address, I'll have it sent to you.
My eyes bulged, and I immediately called him. He answered right away. Charlotte was watching me with curiosity.
"Oh my God. How did you find that?" I asked instead of saying hello, but I was far too excited.
"I pulled some strings. It was important to you."
I brought my hand to my chest. This meant more than he could know.
"Thank you. It's amazing actually. I have a copy of the prescription scanned on my phone. I’ll just forward it to you. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll forward it to my contact, and then I’ll have someone pick it up and deliver it to you tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to do that. You can leave it with your doorman, and I'll pick it up tomorrow on my way home from the gym."
"Okay. I'll do it like that, then. What are you doing now?"
"I'm about to watch the sunset." I made a split-second decision before I could talk myself out of it. Taking the phone away from my mouth, I whispered the next words to Charlotte. “Do you mind if I take a rain check tonight?”
She grinned. “Only if you tell me why you’re blushing while you’re talking to him.”
Laughing, I put the phone back to my ear. "Do you want to grab dinner? My treat for getting Dad’s medicine." My heart was in my throat as I waited for his answer. Charlotte started laughing.
"Sure, I'll tell the dog sitter to stay longer. Where are we going?"
"There's a great sushi place next to me. It's next to the gingerbread house. Do you know it?"
"No. I've heard about it, I think, but I've never been there."
"Okay. I'll text you the address. Wait a second and I'll do it right now."
After I sent him the text, he said, "Okay, I'm plugging it in the GPS. It says I'm going to be there in half an hour."
"Perfect," I said. "I'll meet you in front of the restaurant. I don't think we need a reservation. It's the middle of the week."
"I can't wait, Mel." His tone sounded conspiratorial, and that made my pulse spike even more. Oh, sweet Lord. Judging by the hot-as-sin kisses he gave me last time, I was playing with fire. But at least this time we were going to be in public.
As soon as the phone call disconnected, Charlotte sprang to her feet.
“Spill it. Are you dating him?”
I smiled, putting my hands on my cheeks. They felt warm. “No. We kissed a couple times.”
Her jaw dropped. “And you didn’t say anything? I’d make you tell me everything right now, but I don’t want to make you late for your date with hot stuff.” She headed to the entrance door, slipping on her ballerina shoes, stuffing her laptop in her backpack, and throwing it over her shoulder.
“It’s not a date. I’m taking him to dinner as a thank-you.”
“Liar, liar, pants on fire,” she whispered right before leaving the apartment.
I’d argue the point, but she was right.
As soon as I was alone, I went into a frenzy—time to get ready. I plugged in earbuds, playing a super-steamy romance book. It was what the doctor ordered. Heading to my bathroom, I let it play while I put on makeup, mascara and some eyeshadow. I also used the eyelash curler because I liked that curling my lashes seemed to make my eyes appear more prominent.
I only needed to comb my hair, not style it. I washed it before leaving Genesis. I didn't blow-dry it, so it fell in wild curls around my shoulders. What to wear, what to wear? This was a casual dinner between friends who'd kissed.