Page 12 of Frozen Hearts

“Oh, it wasn’t just Willow. The two of you were giving each other major bedroom eyes,” Reese chuckled. Mel drew back as if struck.

“There’s no way in this whole world that I could ever be interested in someone like Willow,” Mel announced.

Too late she realized that Willow was walking past them on her way to the bathroom. Mel met Willow’s eyes again, but Willow quickly looked away.Shit. What was worse was that everyone at the table had borne witness to the moment. Brynn gave her a pat on the shoulder.

“See what I mean? There’s no way for us to even be friends, when we keep having these disastrous interactions,” Mel explained.

“You can always choose to have a less disastrous interaction,” Jordan suggested.

“How would I go about doing that?” Mel asked.

“That’s easy, you go make peace with her,” Reese grinned.

“Why? I think it’s pretty clear that Willow doesn’t want peace.” Mel folded her arms across her chest.

“No one here is going to force you to make amends with someone. But this could be an opportunity to at least clear the air. I mean you’re both adults.” Reese offered her a reassuring smile. Mel swallowed a retort about not being sure that Willow was an adult.

“And if she still chooses to be unkind I promise I’m more intimidating than she is,” Jordan grinned.

Mel had no doubts that Jordan would be more than competent at any battle of wills she was thrown into. Mel took a moment to imagine what it must feel like to be on Jordan’s bad side. The thought made her shiver.

“I guess it is a little silly that two adult women can’t find a way to interact as adults,” Mel groaned.

“That’s the spirit,” Brynn encouraged.

Mel stood and straightened her outfit before walking to the bathroom. When she opened the door Willow was at the sink. She looked surprised to see her.

“Hey, can we talk for a minute?” Mel asked.

“Sure. Though I’m not sure why. Since there’s no way you could ever be interested in me,” Willow retorted. Mel recoiled at the feeling of having her own words levied against her.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings,” Mel insisted.

“Good,” Willow said almost too confidently.

Mel was almost ready to give up on the conversation. What was she even doing here? Not everyone had to be her friend or like her. Why was she so drawn to this woman who wanted nothing to do with her? These were for sure questions she needed to ask her therapist.

This close Willow was undeniably beautiful. Gorgeous in a way that was almost painful to look at. But Mel couldn’t look away. In her chest her heart beat faster than it should. She realized that this was the first time she’d ever been this close to Willow, without her yelling. Mel took a steadying breath, and the scent of Willow’s lavender perfume filled her nose. It wasn’t fair that this woman’s appearance had such an effect on her. Mel took in the perfect cupid’s bow of Willow’s lips. Willow’s shirt rose just enough to show the perfectly smooth pale skin of her stomach. From this distance Mel could pick up the exact shade of green in Willow’s eyes. Willow’s eyes were green like the trees in a forest after a fresh rain. Mel closed her eyes for a moment, she had to get a grip on herself. Mel sighed out loud as she decided to try one last time to make peace.

“I think we got off on the wrong foot. I’d like it if we could start over,” Mel suggested. She purposefully softened her tone.

She studied Willow’s face. Mel was afraid that Willow would be gearing up for a verbal assault. Instead, Willow breathed in and heaved a large sigh.

“Yeah, we could try that,” Willow said with some reluctance.

“That’s a start,” Mel smiled.

“But we’re not friends,” Willow stated.

“Of course not. Just acquaintances that don’t hate each other,” Mel offered with a smile. If she wasn’t mistaken Mel saw the unmistakable beginnings of a smile form at the corners of Willow’s mouth.

“Exactly. Acquaintances that don’t hate one another,” Willow nodded. This time the woman offered her a small smile.

“I’ll let you get back to your friends,” Mel smiled. She pulled open the door to the bathroom then turned back.

“Maybe we’ll bump into each other soon,” Mel laughed.

“Too soon,” Willow said with a raised eyebrow. Her face was straight but Mel could see the crinkle at the corners of her mouth.

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