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Dinner was delicious: a mixed green salad with ripe tomatoes, red onion, and goat cheese followed by an entrée of filet mignon and scallops with roasted potatoes. Then there was a selection of mini-desserts, of which I had four, followed by after-dinner drinks, which soon led to Mellie’s parents and their friends heading down to the lower level for games and hot tubbing.
“I am so full,” I said from my spot on the couch. “You were right about there being plenty of food. I’m glad I didn’t eat too many appetizers.”
“My parents are definitely not stingy when it comes to food and drinks,” she said as she roamed around the living room, looking for things to clean up. Except the caterers had done such a good job of cleaning before they left that she wasn’t finding much.
“Come sit with me for a little while before I have to go.” I patted the seat next to me and rested my arm across the back of the couch.
“You aren’t staying?” She stopped straightening the candles in the center of the dining table and looked at me.
“I thought it would be awkward to stay over with your parents here.”
“Dixon, I’m twenty-six years old and this is my house. It’s only awkward if you make it awkward. Plus, they’re two floors below my bedroom.”
It hadn’t occurred to me that she wouldn’t mind having me over. I’d never even brought a woman back to my apartment at my grandparents’ house, and that was over the garage.
“I guess if you’re okay with it then I will.” She gave me a grin, then turned to fidget with something else. “Now, come here and sit with me, Mellie.” I put more force behind my words this time and, thankfully, she heard it and did as asked.
She tucked her feet up under her and leaned into my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her closer, and she let out a sigh. “This is nice.”
“It is,” I agreed. “What’s got you so stressed out that you’re wandering around looking for things to clean? Everything went great. You should be relaxing now.”
“Did it?” She peered up at me. “Did you like everything and have a good time?”
“Yeah, I did. Your parents were very nice to me and asked me about the store and my grandparents. Their friends weren’t snobby. And the food was great.” Some of the tension I hadn’t realized she was holding on to eased. “Were you worried about me?”
“I was a little worried you would think this was all kind of pretentious. I mean, a full catered dinner for eight people is a little much.” She chewed on her bottom lip as she waited for my response, and I took a moment to choose my words carefully.
“It was not something I’d ever experienced before, but it’s also never been an option for me or anyone I know. It was a little much, but it’s none of my business how your parents spend their money. The only thing that’s my business is that you’re taken care of and happy. It made you happy to dress up and eat fancy food, so I’m happy to do that with you.”
She relaxed even more. “I’m glad you said that, and they aren’t always quite this fancy. It was their Valentine’s Day celebration.”
“I got that when the desserts were all heart shaped. Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.
“We’re new and I didn’t want you to feel pressured into celebrating it with me or buying something.” She looked sheepish. “I’m sorry for keeping that from you, but we did get to have a nice Valentine’s dinner together. And thank you again for the flowers.”
She fluttered her lashes and gave me an innocent looking grin, which told me she knew she’d broken a rule and was hoping I’d let it slide. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t a big deal, but I’d made the rule for a reason, and she needed to know that I wouldn’t tolerate disobedience, even if it was harmless.
“What’s rule number three, Melody?”
Her eyes widened and her pupils dilated.
“Uhh, no lying,” she whispered, then cleared her throat and continued slightly louder. “But I didn’t lie.”
“You intentionally kept something from me. I consider that a lie by omission.”
She sat up and tried to move away, but I held on to her shoulder and angled my body so I could look at her directly.
“I only kept it from you because I didn’t want you to feel obligated to buy me a present or be pressured to be all lovey-dovey when we aren’t there yet,” she argued, a flush rising in her cheeks. “I was trying to protect you.”
“Melody, I don’t need you to protect me. I’m a grown man and can make decisions for myself. What I need is for you to follow the rules we set. The ones you agreed to.” I made sure my words were pitched low and wouldn’t carry far, though I could hear voices coming from the patio below and hoped everyone was in the hot tub. “Besides, don’t you think we should have discussions about where we stand in our relationship?”
“Well, yes, but I didn’t want to pressure you.” She glanced down and away when she said that, and I knew she was lying.
“I don’t think it’s so much that you didn’t want to pressure me, but that you didn’t want to have that conversation.” She flinched slightly but didn’t respond. “Am I correct, Melody?”
She didn’t say anything for a full a minute, then she let out a sigh and slumped back into the couch. “Yes, okay. I’m so confused about how I feel, and I was trying to avoid talking about it.”
That didn’t sound good.
“What are you confused about, Mellie?” I braced myself for her response.
“I just… I feel like I’m falling in love with you but it’s too soon, right? We’ve only known each other for a little over a month and we’ve only slept together once, but the other things we’ve done have been so intimate, and we’ve talked so much it feels like I’ve known you for much longer and I just don’t know.”
I thought about what she said, and what she didn’t say, before I responded.
“It sounds like you’re scared you’re feeling a lot for me and you think it’s too fast. Again.”
She winced at the reminder of our first disagreement. “Yes. People don’t fall in love this fast.”
“Says who?” I demanded.
“Well, I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem right.” From the stubborn set of her jaw and the way she pinched her lips together, I knew there was only going to be one way to get through to her.
“Is the door locked?” I asked, abruptly changing the subject.
“Yes, why?” She scrunched up her nose in confusion as I stood up and held out my hand.
“Because we’re going to your room to finish this chat we’re having.” I pinned her with a hard stare so she knew just where this was going.
“Oh, Dix, I don’t think we need to finish talking. I’m good.” She stumbled over her words but didn’t resist when I guided her up the stairs.
We reached her bedroom, and I turned the lock to make sure we weren’t interrupted.
“Why don’t you take off your dress?” I suggested as I reached for my tie.
She nervously watched me unbutton my dress shirt and hang it over the back of her desk chair before she finally moved.
“Can you please unzip me?” She approached hesitantly, chewing on her lip again.
“Of course I can.” She turned to give me her back, and I slid the zipper down slowly, then ran a finger down her exposed back. “You don’t have to be so nervous, Mellie. Nothing has changed.”
She swallowed but didn’t reply other than to say, “Thank you.”
