Page 18 of Frozen Hearts

“Of course,” Mel smiled.

They exchanged numbers and Willow pulled Mel in for a hug. The contact felt forced. Mel was stiffer than she’d been before. Willow felt her frustration growing. She wasn’t completely sure what Mel wanted, or what she had done wrong. What had she said to make Mel go so cold so fast?

“This was actually a lot of fun. And I’m glad we were able to find Sushi,” Mel said as she walked towards the door. Some of her warmth had returned to her tone and Willow was grateful for the change.

Still, as she watched Mel walk to her car Willow was filled with a sense of regret. She was uncertain how she had lost control of the night in front of her. Willow hadn’t necessarily expected Mel to spend the night. But she had thought that Mel would stay a little longer. Willow had hoped that they might even end up naked in her bed again, this time for longer. But here she was watching Mel drive away.

A growing sadness filled her. Willow had the sudden desire to text Mel, but didn’t want to come across as too clingy. She would wait a few hours and text the woman before bed. Sushi leaned against her leg and Willow looked down.

“I don’t suppose you know what happened?” Willow asked. Sushi only offered a small whine.

Willow busied herself with cleaning up. As she walked down the hallway she remembered the dryer. Willow checked the clothes, everything was dry. At the very least she’d have returning clothes as an excuse to see Mel again. Willow caught herself smiling at the thought of seeing Mel again. She balked at herself.

Chapter 9

Mel felt silly for fleeing Willow’s home like a prisoner escaping lockup. Her own emotions about the moment were so conflicted. She knew that she’d never be able to sort everything out with Willow there beside her. Willow, who had gone from looking at her like she was an enemy, to looking at her like a lover over the course of one day. The change was too drastic. Now safely behind her own door at home Mase bounded up to greet her.

“I suppose you probably want to go out?” Mel asked.

She was grateful that Brianna had been willing to pick Mase up from doggy daycare and drop him off at home. Mase gave a low bark and Mel opened up the back door. She stepped outside and immediately searched her own fence for holes. The last thing she wanted was for Mase to figure out an escape route.

Mel pulled out her phone and sent Brianna a quick text asking her to come over. Brianna responded quickly that she was on the way. Mel had no idea how she was going to havethis conversation with Brianna. How did one explain finding themselves in bed with their nemesis?

Mel loved how easy it was to get Brianna to show up at her house. Within thirty minutes Brianna was on her doorstep with two beers in hand.

“You got here so fast,” Mel laughed.

“You usually just ask if I want to come over. This is the first time you’ve told me to come over. I figured something must be up,” Brianna teased. She handed Mel one of the beers and walked inside. Mel closed the door behind Brianna and took in a deep breath.

“You’re certainly not wrong about that,” Mel laughed. They sat at opposite ends of the couch.

“Okay, let’s hear it.”

“I’m not even sure where to begin,” Mel stated.

“Try the beginning,” Brianna suggested.

Mel gave a sharp inhale and tried to think. What would the beginning even be?

“For starters, Willow and all her friends happened to come into the cafe today for lunch,” Mel began.

“Shit,” Brianna said simply.

“Yeah, it was awkward to say the least,” Mel laughed.

“What ended up happening? Did she cause problems at the cafe?” Brianna asked.

“No. She was on her best behavior.”

“I guess at least there’s that,” Brianna teased.

“I sort of ended up cornering her in the bathroom.” Mel felt herself blushing. Even as she said the words it didn’t sound like she was talking about herself.

“I guess that’s one way to get rid of your enemies,” Brianna laughed.

“Relax. I went to bury the hatchet,” Mel explained.

“Into her back,” Brianna laughed.

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