Home Again

Chapter 6 Seeing him again

She paused at the top of the stairs in the large lobby as Dena passed her, taking her place behind her daughter and beside Bradley. There were a ton of people piling in the room but none as distracting as him. She watched him standing tall and admirable in his unique way. Bold. He was always so bold. She thought about catching her breathe. The swell of his biceps and broad chest was more noticeable in his flannel shirt and jeans. He had the top button of his shirt open, as usual, exposing the tiniest bit of his chest hair and collar bone, that of which had always driven her crazy. He could almost pass for a normal man. Make him drool and do not acknowledge him. Her mother’s voice echoed through her head. A man is a man no matter where he comes from, and men are only interested in what they think they can’t have. If you act like you’re interested, they don’t pay attention because there aren’t no sport in for them and men are competitive creatures. If you like this boy, pretend you don’t. That’s how I got your daddy’s attention all those years ago. She smiled, “it worked back in school so let’s see now”, She whispered to herself as she descended the stairs.

The cameras flashed and the lights shimmered off her hair. A lump rose in his throat. “She was more beautiful than he remembered.” She had her head held high and shoulders back with a strength he admired very much. The pale lights reflected like glitter off the sequins on her dress. He went to move forward, but she did not seem to notice him. How was that possible?

“Hello ladies,” Her voice chimed as she bent down on one knee between the two girls posing for a picture. He caught the scent of her perfume, Gardenia, the same scent she wore way back when, and it sent a shock right to his groin. He bought the first bottle she had ever worn. It was a testament that she still loved him, or at least, he hoped so.

“This is the winners and your biggest fans;, this is Annie and Jessica,” Richard asserted. “And their guardians, Dena Caldwell, you know, and this is Mr. Bradley Singleton. He was the single most influential donor to the charities you had at all of your vendors,” he motioned as she raised back to her feet directly in front of him and her eyes met his instantly.

He noticed a flicker of something lust or pain; he wasn’t sure, but it was gone in an instant, replaced by that same facade of strength and arrogance that he admired. “Melanie,” He kissed her hand.

“Hello, again Bradley and thank you for your donations.” she fidgeted but kept her head raised high and her shoulders back. He realized instantly she was working hard at masking her accent.

“It was generous of you to have so many charities around your concerts to donate to.” He gave a devious smile, “You are still a knockout,” He leaned in and whispered in her ear, not caring that there were cameras and live news feeds everywhere. She leaned back, smiling from ear to ear.

“And you are still a flattering cad.” She turned to the girls and bent back down between them, “What do you say, we pose for two pics and run up the backstairs away from everyone?”

They nodded quickly and did as they were told. The two girls turned as Melanie counted to three. On the mark the two girls, followed by Faith and Melanie, took to the back-stair way of the lobby. “In here Faith called as she put the key into the lock.

Melanie smiled as she sat down on the bed surrounded by giggling, “How was that for a fan experience?”

“Epic” Jessica laughed

“Wow, so this is your room? Do you have a home? Where do you really live, that is? Where do you actually live? I know you grew up here; have you ever thought of moving back? You also own a house on the beach in California and a cabin in Tennessee. Which do you like better? Would you move back if you had a reason? Do your parents still live here?” Annie questioned eagerly; speaking so fast she could barely keep up. “I know sometimes there is stuff that isn’t listed online for people to see, so it is true that you’re not married? Why aren’t you married? Do you want to get married?”

She stared at the child fondly, she was really surprised that the child wasn’t out of breath. She laughed as she tried to choke out an answer, “Well let’s see here, Yes, this is my hotel room, it conjoins Faiths through that door.” She pointed, “I did live here when I was younger, so your right. I do own a beach house and cabin. I love both places. My parents live here in almost the same place they did when I was younger. I have thought of moving back but it’s complicated. And no, I am not married. I have imagined my life being married, but it’s hard to want to when you do not have a groom. Now how about if I have some questions for you?” she touched the child’s nose.

The girl stood completely impressed, “What do you want to know?”

“Well, what do you want to do this week that would totally make this week perfect?”

Jessica stood “I would want to sing a song with you and be recorded on a cd that’s gonna be sold.”

“Okay done”. Melanie smiled “Faith, can you make sure that Richard puts that on the agenda?”

“Yeah”

“What about you, Annie?”

“It’s already perfect.” She looked down at the floor. “I met you.”

Melanie had tears in her eyes and couldn’t stop herself from giving the child a hug.

When she released the child, she was beaming. They were surprised by the door opening. “That was not amusing. Skipping out on the reporters” Richard seared her with a glance.

The four girls laughed “Good!!! Richard, we wanted them to have fun and random is always fun.” Faith reflected, swaying into his path, drawing his attention to her only partially covered abdomen.

Richard crossed the threshold of the room, trying hard to keep his eyes at face level and to stay professional, followed by Brad and Dena.

Melanie could not help but watch him and when their eyes met it was like she had been struck by lightning. “Could we talk?” He walked over to her.

“I don’t know, maybe, what do you think girls may I might be excused?” She looked directly at his daughter.

“Absolutely.” She glanced at her dad hopefully.

He took her by the hand, and they strolled into Faith’s room. “Mel,”

“Stop for a second Brad.” She went to the liquor cabinet. “I think we're gonna need this.” She extended a glass filled with a rich brown liquid sloshing from side to side.

“Mel”. He took off his hat, setting the glass to the side instantly. “I have missed you”. He reached out to grab her hand.

“Me too, I mean,” She took a deep breath, straightening her shirt, “It’s been a long time,” She started to go to him but stopped only inches from his side, “I mean no, just wait.” She took a large drink. relishing the burn with her eyes closed, “It’s complicated there is so much we need to talk about Brad. So much I need to tell you. A lot has changed but perhaps...” She pulled back from him. “It’s not the right time.”

“Why isn’t it the right time? Were we here alone” He sat the glass to his side on the round table and extended his arms to her.

“We are not alone. This is a hotel, and the staff here have their ears to the doors. Richard, Faith, Dean, your niece and daughter are in the other room.” She paced, trying to resist the urge to climb into his arms.

“When will the right time be?” He sunk into his chair and took a large gulp.

“I don’t know what you hope to accomplish by getting me in here?”

“Well, yah know Mel, I hoped you would climb into my lap and we would make passionate love because it’s been so long.” He jibed just enough to get her temper riled.

“That’s not funny Brad, I’m serious” She fumed.

“I hoped to find out if there was any chance that you still loved me. Mel or if you had missed or regretted anything about us leaving it the way we did.” He turned serious, which she didn’t expect.

“Brad, of course I missed you. When it comes to regret, you have no idea…”

“Knock knock”

“Come in,” Melanie called, handing him the glass, exasperated.

“Sorry,” Faith said as she entered, “but Richard is red, a photographer has been waiting in the ballroom for fifteen minutes. Everyone, including the kids, is starting to get a little suspicious. My guess the media rolls with this big story about your secret meeting by the nightly news.”

“Brad, I’m sorry, but”

“Wait,” he caught her hand as she went passed him feeling the warmth of her skin, “Have dinner with me tonight?”

“Brad, I...” she looked him square into his pleading eyes, big mistake, “Okay. be here at eight”. With that she left, leaving him standing in the doorway with a smile, remembering the first time he had asked her out...