“Here.” She grabbed one of Cara’s lipsticks and scrawled a number across the top of a stack of blotting papers. “Call me tomorrow. We’ll set it up!”
Is she for real? Crazy?
Cara picked up the blotting pad and entered the number into her phone.
At this point, did she have a choice?
* * *
The next day,she arranged to meet Melody at a little house near the Chamblee area. It wasn’t the greatest neighborhood, but the houses appeared well-tended and in decent shape. Melody showed her around the small two-bedroom home that came fully furnished—another plus because Cara didn’t have any furniture.
It was tempting, but she didn’t know this woman! At least she’d had classes with Zoe before the room in her condo became available. However, after Melody told her what her rent would be, it was a no brainer.
When Melody told Cara that she didn’t need to sign a lease, Cara felt a moment of pause. But it was too good a deal to pass up. Without a lease, she could leave if it didn’t work out.
“You don’t smoke do you? Pets?” Cara shook her head. “Good, I can’t stand little furry things running around making a mess, and smoke wrecks my clothes. If you’re going to smoke, go on the deck.” She pointed at the small wooden deck visible through the sliding doors in the center of the main room.
Cara nodded. This was moving fast, but since she didn’t have time to waste…
“When can I move in?”
CHAPTERTWO
“You can’t be serious!You’re leaving? Today!” Wes Evans folded his arms tightly across his chest.
Melody barely glanced up from where she shoveled the million-and-one products that normally littered her bathroom counter into her toiletry bag. “I just got the call. This could finally be it! Fabrizio D’Gallentine is likethebiggest photographer. My agent thinks this could be my big break.”
She zipped the bag closed and then pivoted back to where Wes’s broad shoulders leaned against the bathroom door, blocking her exit.
He was very experienced with what he called a ‘Melody tornado’, and he knew the second she got through the bathroom door she would continue whirling through the apartment and disappear before Wes could get any more info out of her.
“Wes!” Melody let out a dramatic sigh. “Move! My flight leaves tonight, and I still need to get my clothes from the cleaners!”
“Give me two minutes! I only got here three days ago, and now you’re leaving?” Wes knew he’d failed to keep the frustration out of his voice when Melody’s face folded into the sad, puppy-dog expression that always made him give in. It had worked for her since he was fourteen, so why stop now?
“Wes, the shoot is just for a few days. Then, I’ll be back. A week tops.” Melody put both hands on his chest and shoved gently. He stepped back, and she brushed past him into the bedroom, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “I know we had plans, but I’ll be back soon. We’ll hang out then.”
Wes planted his hands on his hips, his shoulders bunched. This was supposed to have been his chance. For the first time in years, he and Melody were living in the same city. Wes had moved to Atlanta, and using the excuse of house-hunting, had been crashing in Melody’s extra room. Now, less than a week later, she was jetting off to Europe for a photo shoot and had apparently offered his room to someone else.
Wes was happy for her. He truly was. He knew better than anyone how much she had struggled, and she deserved this break—it was just—this was supposed to be his shot at showing Melody they could be something more than childhood friends. He wasn’t the same scrawny teenager who had a crush on her at fourteen.
Melody stopped her manic packing for a second. Her bright smile flashed, and she flipped her glossy black hair out of her eyes. His heart caught. It was one of her rare, genuine smiles. Normally Melody wore a mask, rarely letting her guard down. Life had taught them both that it was best to never be vulnerable, to always be aware of who or what might hurt them.
He sighed. “Do you need a ride?”
“That would be great! You’re the best! Wes, you’re the only one who’s never let me down.” She surveyed the room, taking in her scattered clothes. “It’s a mess! Would you mind?” She gestured at the room, and Wes squashed the flare of irritation. Melody was in a rush, and it wouldn’t take him long.
“I’ll clean it up.”
Melody grabbed her keys from the hook by the front door. “My flight’s at ten so, leave by… eight?” she tossed casually over her shoulder.
Wes frowned. “Seven at the latest.”
Melody flashed another smile, and with a wiggle of her fingers, she was out the door dreaming of catwalks in Milan.
CHAPTERTHREE
“Ow!”Cara grunted, her elbow banging the corner of the door. She wedged the door with her hip, while simultaneously wrestling a box through the narrow opening. “Stupid door!” she cursed, catching her elbow again.
