Page 51 of Love's Home Run

She smiled and met his lips, wondering why they’d hidden their feelings for so long. It felt so right to be together. She’d been naïve to think she could just wish for a relationship to happen. She now knew one had to be formed with two hearts, not one.

“Let’s look around and then enjoy a drink on the rooftop,” he said.

“Okay. We’re both tired. Why don’t we eat dinner early? Tomorrow, we’ll go to the waterfront and explore other areas of the city. I want to go to the City Market, for sure.”

The driving, the emotional meeting with his father, and all their lovemaking were beginning to slow them down.

###

Up on the rooftop, Melissa drew a deep breath of satisfaction. The view was everything the hotel had promised. Gazing down at the old brick and stucco buildings in an array of colors and then beyond to the waterfront, Melissa knew she’d always love this city.

She gazed at the man beside her and leaned against his shoulder. Life had taken on a special meaning, and she had him to thank for that. She was happy they’d discovered one another away from Lilac Lake, where old expectations might bind her. Being with Ross opened her to possibilities she’d never contemplated.

Ross smiled at her. “You’re looking a little smug.”

“Definitely,” she replied, chuckling. “I’m just thinking how lucky it is that we found one another after thinking neither of us was interested in a romantic relationship.”

He leaned down to kiss her.

Their cocktails came, and they sat at their table. Melissa had ordered a Planters Punch to keep with tradition and enjoyed the taste of rum, orange, and pineapple juices, along with other ingredients of her red drink.

The evening air swirled around them. It was, Melissa thought, a perfect evening.

Later, they discovered a restaurant downtown that served high-end, low-country meals. Pleased to be accepted for an early dinner, Melissa gazed at her She-Crab soup. Creamy, with lots of crab meat, the soup was topped with orange roe, designating it was made specifically with female crabs.

Melissa tasted a spoonful, closed her eyes, and savored the taste.

“That good, huh?” teased Ross.

She laughed. “You can take the chef out of the kitchen, but you can’t keep her away from yummy food.”

“It’s an experience to share meals with you. You enjoy them so much,” he said, grinning.

“It’s fun to discover new tastes,” she said, thinking of how she might fix something similar for Fins. Then, she felt a pang of regret that those days might be over.

After they finished their crab soup, they sipped a crisp white wine and waited for their next course.

Melissa couldn’t resist ordering shellfish over grits as her main course. Sauteed shrimp and sea scallops were served over white grits with a lobster butter sauce.

Ross had ordered Parmesan-crusted snapper with a citrus beurre blanc sauce.

When it was served, Melissa studied both of their dishes. “I’m glad we don’t have to confess to Emmett Chambers what we are about to eat. I’m sure it wouldn’t pass his idea of what every doctor hopes his patients eat.”

Ross laughed. “Married to Crystal, he already knows what delicious food is. I don’t think even he would pass up a meal like this.”

Still smiling, Melissa took a forkful of food and let out a moan of pleasure. “M-m-m, as wonderful as I thought it might be.”

Ross chewed a piece of fish. “Delicious.”

Melissa was delighted that Ross was an adventuresome eater. Her life revolved around food and would continue to do so whether or not she worked in a restaurant. Thinking of that now, she knew she wasn’t ready to commit to a new family enterprise.

Too full for either of them to order dessert, Ross asked for the check, and after paying, they left to walk back to their hotel.

With Ross’s fingers entwined in hers, Melissa thought it seemed natural for them to hold hands. They couldn’t seem to get enough of one another. Even with a healing leg hindering some movement, Ross made sure she was satisfied. She’d never felt so treasured.

When they got to the hotel, there was no talk of an after-dinner drink on the rooftop. They went directly to their room.

As Melissa unzipped the dress she wore, she hesitated. She’d always been uncertain about her body, which seemed so tall, so strong, so angular.

---