Page 52 of Loved

"Yes."

"Yes, please let Melissa Monroe up. Thanks, Ben." I put my cell phone back in my pocket. "So, what can I expect today?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," I said as I wrapped my arms around her, "every time she's seen me, she's been mad at me."

"No she hasn't."

"Yes, she has. She hates me."

"She doesn't hate you. She doesn't even know you. Maybe tonight she can finally get to know you better. I want you two to be friends too."

"I'll try to be super charming." I flashed her a smile.

"Yeah, I don't think you need to try to be charming. It comes quite naturally to you."

A dinging noise sounded through the apartment. I nodded toward the elevator doors and released her frommy embrace. "I'm probably going to need another shot." I grabbed the bottle off the counter and poured vodka into my glass.

Penny laughed and went to go let Melissa in.

As soon as the doors opened, Melissa ran out of the elevator and gave Penny a big hug. "Where the hell have you been? How are you feeling? How's your head? I can't believe everything that's been going on..." her voice trailed off as she released Penny from her hug. "Oh my God. This place is amazing." Melissa walked past Penny and toward the windows all along the back of the apartment. She folded her arms across her chest as she looked out at Main Street below.

"It's pretty awesome, right?" Penny asked as she walked up next to her.

"I didn't even know Main Street could look this pretty." Melissa turned toward Penny. "No wonder you're never at our dorm anymore. This place is amaze-balls. I might never leave either."

"Amaze-balls, huh?" I said as I walked up behind them. "Hi, Melissa, how are you?"

Melissa rolled her eyes as she turned to look at me. "I've been better, James."

"Oh. I'm sorry..."

"You're sorry? Yeah, you should be. You know what? You and I need to talk."

I lowered my eyebrows. "About what?"

"You know what."

"Hey, Melissa." Penny put her hand on Melissa’s arm. "Maybe you and I can talk real quick? I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."

"Yeah, which is another thing I want to talk about. But first I need to talk to your boyfriend."

Geez.Why did it always seem like Melissa wanted a fight? Penny just needed a fun night in with her friend. Couldn’t Melissa see that? I glanced at Penny.Told you she hated me.

Penny shrugged. But she looked as confused as me about what Melissa was upset about now.

"If something is bothering you..." I started.

"Bothering me? Of course something is bothering me. Don't you remember our conversation the first time we met?"

"I remember that it was rather one sided."

"Very funny. But you promised me that you wouldn't hurt her. And do you know what you did that very night? You broke up with her. So yeah, you could say that's been bothering me. You lied to me."

I didn’t break up with her.We were just on a little break while I sorted out my shit. "I don't think you understand the circumstances."

"Oh, no, I do. Penny told me that she didn't tell you she was a sophomore. Which doesn't seem nearly as bad as having a secret wife."

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