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Heath snorted. “If anyone’s got a reason to be anti-Santa this year, it’s you, buddy.” Then his smile fell and his expression turned deadly serious. “We’ll find Aileen, I swear. Before the holiday to
o, if I have anything to say about it.”
“It’s not Christmas without her, man,” Murphy said. “It’s been just the two of us for years now.”
Feeling the heartache himself, Daveed reached over to pat his buddy’s arm. “Heath’s right. We won’t rest until we find her. You have my word too.”
“Thanks, man.”
“So, what’s the deal with you and Mel?” Heath asked, his gaze far too perceptive for Daveed’s liking. “You guys a couple now or what?”
In my dreams. Daveed hung his head. “No. Not a couple. I wouldn’t do that to you. Besides, we’re too different. She deserves someone who’s settled and secure and can give her what she deserves and that’s not me right now.”
“First off, don’t bring me into this.” Heath sat back, coffee in hand. “There was never anything between Mel and me other than our arrangement. You know that. And second, if the two of you click and are compatible, don’t underestimate that. After watching my old man go through yet another divorce from a woman he has nothing in common with, I’d take a good connection and compatibility any day of the week. And if you’re lucky enough to have more, then that’s awesome.” He chuckled. “Quit selling yourself short, Sheikh Rafik. Mel would be lucky to have you.”
At the use of this nickname he loathed, Daveed flipped Heath off. Murphy laughed and some of the gloom surrounding them dispersed. They were about to order breakfast when Mel came bustling in through the front doors, all but bursting with excitement. She slid into the empty chair at the table, her smile triumphant.
“I did it!” she said, nearly squealing. “I know who’s got more information on Murphy’s sister. It’s the energy company. They know something about what happened to Aileen.”
Daveed frowned. “Someone talked to you?”
“Not exactly.” Mel shrugged out of her pink coat and gave him a look. “But I managed to get upstairs during the press conference and checked out those two firms again. I went to the law firm first and told the receptionist I was with the Times and that I was there to investigate the disappearance of journalist Aileen Coen. She didn’t bat an eye. Just picked up the phone and called out a couple of the attorneys there who gave me the whole “no comment” spiel. Typical lawyer crap. They acted completely bored by my appearance.” Mel winked. “So then, I went to the energy company. This time, when I told the receptionist who I was, she freaked out. I barely got Aileen’s name out and she was running from her desk back into the offices. She never did come out again. While I was standing in their lobby alone, I took a good look at their directory too. Only five people work in that huge cushy office.” She looked around at the guys then threw her hands up in exasperation when no one seemed to respond. “C’mon. Five people for an entire floor? I don’t know that much about start-ups, but downtown Manhattan real estate is expensive. Isn’t it a little weird they’d have that kind of money to burn on space they don’t use?”
“Hmm.” Heath frowned. “Does seem weird. We’ll check it out.” He stood and pulled on his coat. “Murph, you want to come with me?”
“Sure.” He downed the last bite of his doughnut then pushed to his feet as well. “Daveed, you coming with us too?”
“He’s got other things to deal with,” Heath said. “Take care, you two. I mean it.”
Daveed watched them go, his appetite gone. Beside him, Mel perused the menu, chattering away, but he was only half listening. Heath and Mel had made up. Heath had all but given him his blessing to pursue Mel, if he wanted. They had a new lead on Aileen. It seemed the day was looking up. Then Mel’s last words penetrated his jumbled thoughts.
“…stuff from the apartment and I’ll be out of your life for good.”
* * *
It damned near killed her to say those words, but she did it. Even managed to flash him a quick, if shaky, smile. Mel swallowed hard, gripped the edge of the table, then scooted out of the booth. She needed to get out of the diner and fast, if she was going to keep it together. Her eyes and throat burned from unshed tears.
“I guess this is it then,” Mel said, extending her gloved hand. “Thanks again for everything. Letting me crash at the condo, coaching me through finding a new job…” Making love to me so sweetly that I’ll never, ever forget you…
Daveed looked a bit dazed as he reached over and shook her hand, a furrow deepening between his dark brows. “I can come with you and help—”
“No, no.” She took a step back from the edge of the table. This was hard enough the way it was. If he came with her, she’d end up breaking down in front of him and then Daveed, being the gentleman he was, would feel obligated to comfort her and maybe offer to let her stay longer and then she’d never know if it was because he truly cared for her or if he was doing it out of pity and oh, damn.
Her chest squeezed with sadness and she blinked rapidly against the moisture gathering in her eyes. I won’t cry in front of him again. I won’t. She forced what she hoped was a confident smile and backed toward the exit. “I only have the one bag. It’s fine. I hauled it there myself, I can haul it over to Shayma’s too.” Mel raised a trembling hand in a small wave goodbye. “See you around.”
She darted out the door and into the wintery New York day. Typical weather on the Eastern seaboard. One minute the sun was shining, the next gray clouds had rolled in and it was spitting snow.
As she walked, Mel tried to console herself with the fact that she’d done what she’d set out to accomplish this morning: getting the guys more information on Aileen’s possible whereabouts and now moving on with her life. It’s what any self-supporting woman would do. Daveed had never promised her more than a fling while she was staying at the condo. To expect more now was silly. And she’d vowed to leave her silly days far behind. As she walked on ahead through the lightly falling snow, she gave in to her tears at last, craving the release of all her pent-up emotions. And sure, she got some strange looks from people passing by. She didn’t care. Let them look. She was done living her life to please other people. Done with living her life by someone else’s rules. If she gave herself one gift this Christmas, it would be the gift of freedom.
Her new job at the MAC store started the following day. She’d stay with Shayma, save her money, get a place of her own. Maybe someday, if she sold enough cosmetics, she could even enroll in some night classes at NYU, go back to college for her dream career in marine biology. Mel waited at the corner for the light to turn green, a sea of tourists flocking around her, all of them with rapt expressions as they stared up at the holiday decorations.
“Melody?” a deep, male voice called out from behind her. “Mel, wait please.”
Daveed.
All it took was a few rough words spoken in his low timbre and her knees went all weak and tingly. She closed her eyes and sighed. Time to admit the truth. She had it bad for her reluctant sheikh. Even though it was stupid and crazy and wrong, she loved him. Way more than she ever thought possible.
The light changed and the crowds pushed forward, carrying Mel along in their wake. She glanced behind her and caught a glimpse of Daveed’s gorgeous face, snow stuck in his dark hair and his warm mocha eyes looking as soulful as she’d ever seen them.
