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The kiss.
Oh God, the kiss.
The way Paige had held onto her like she was the most precious thing in existence. The way she could feel Paige’s piercing against her lips, and her tongue. The way her heart felt completely restarted. The way her body lit up from within. Oh, it was outrageously hot for a simple kiss.
‘What can I do to help?’ Louisa asked when Melanie still hadn’t said anything. It was the serious tone, the look of concern on her face, the hand that Louisa put on her arm, that hit hard. The plates were not all spinning. Something was going to slip, and it couldn’t and wouldn’t be anything that would put their business at risk, which included the art project, nor would it be something that would put Alfie at risk either.
‘I’m sorry. I’ll move the items we didn’t discuss today to the next meeting. The prosecco issue is now resolved.’ Melanie studied her iPad on the table, scrolling through the list. ‘Do you think we should try and get those reviews removed? Maybe put something back?’
‘Melanie, I’m not bothered about any of that, are you OK?’ Louisa asked, her head tilted to one side.
‘Yeah, I’ve just been distracted but I’ll sort it.’
‘We were mates before we were business partners. I know we don’t get to see each other much outside of work these days, but we’re still friends first. If something is going on, tell me.’
Melanie sighed. ‘I think I have a lust build up, and it’s causing me to lose focus, to lose sight of what’s important but I promise I won’t let you down.’
Louisa nearly snorted out her coffee. ‘How long has it been?’
Melanie raised an eyebrow. Louisa must have a rough idea because she could barely find time to spend with her actual partner, so when would Melanie have found time to find one? Besides she didn’t want to admit that there hadn’t been anyone since Laura.
‘You’ve been with someone since Laura right?’
Dammit she must have thought her name too hard, like if you say Beetlejuice too many times. She wouldn’t utter the name again just to be on the safe side.
‘Look, it’s fine. I’ll deal with it. I’m not going to let you, or us, or this business down.’
Melanie’s iPad pinged and she looked down at the message.
Paige: I think we should make the third date somewhere else so we don’t get disturbed and we get some work done? How about we go out for dinner? X
Oh God. A third date. A third date. But like a third. Date. Wasn’t there still an expectation of something on a third date? Shit, this was confusing.
‘Ah I see. It’s about Paige.’ Louisa nodded, like everything suddenly just made a whole lot more sense.
‘We kissed,’ Melanie said quickly, her brain to mouth filter still faulty.
‘Yes! So that’s the distraction. Go get some.’ Louisa nodded.
‘I don’t think . . . like I don’t have time. I don’t see how I can fit her in.’
Melanie realised what she’d said, at the same time Louisa creased with laughter. Melanie reluctantly smiled.
‘You say it’s lust then you know what you have to do,’ Louisa said once she had finally gotten her breath back. Melanie looked around deliberately avoiding her gaze. The doors were open and the customers were starting to pack in.
‘Something to think about. Right, I’m off. I’ll see you later. But don’t forget to text Paige yeah? I’ll swing by the cash and carry on my way in — is the list up to date?’
Melanie nodded. ‘I’ll make sure it is, but you don’t have to do that.’
‘It needs doing, it’s no problem.’ Louisa stood up and they hugged. ‘Nobody is saying you have to jump into a relationship if you don’t want to. But maybe you should see what Paige is offering? And Melanie, if she offers you a relationship it doesn’t mean it will go like the last one did.’ Louisa squeezed her again before hurrying out the bar.
What would Paige offer? There were too many reasons to avoid a relationship: the timing, the business, her responsibilities. While Melanie knew they were all true she also knew she had yet to sort out her old demons, but rather than think about that, she sat back down and looked at the message on her iPad.
Melanie: We’re not exactly getting much work done are we? X
She sent it before she could overthink it.
Paige: That’s why I think if I take you out for dinner we can get a lot more done x
