Can We Do This Again?

Melody stood in front of the full length mirror longer than she intended to.

She wasn’t nervous at least that was what she kept telling herself, but her fingers kept smoothing down her dress like it might suddenly betray her. The soft fabric clung to her curves in a way that felt both flattering and unfamiliar. She wasn't used to wearing clothes like this, but thank goodness all that changed. Her clothes were quite pricey and it feels so soft on her skin.

She was excited about today, but about the drink, no. She was going to be house hunting, just weeks of her getting here. Everything still feels like a movie to her and she was the protagonist. How unbelievable.

She slipped on her heels, grabbed her small purse, and took one last look around the apartment before stepping out. The cold air that hit her as she opened the door was not expected. She pulled out her phone and texted Tara. She wanted to let her know she'll be stepping out to have drinks with a friend.

She was so used to letting people around her know that she's outside. It's just an old habit since she was a teenager, and it was now part of her.

By the time she arrived at the restaurant Blake had sent her, she understood immediately why he’d chosen it.

It had this old fashioned aesthetic and it was so cute. The bamboo seats, wooden tables and there was even a whole ass tree inside, like how is that even possible. It looked like the restaurant was built around the tree.

Blake spotted her almost instantly.

He stood as soon as she walked in, his eyes lighting up in a way that felt like he's waited all his life to be in her presence. Melody didn't know how to react to that, they didn't even know each other.

“Wow,” he said, smiling as she approached. “You look… incredible.”

Melody smiled politely. “Thank you.”

He pulled out a chair for her, waiting until she sat before taking his own seat across from her. “I knew you were beautiful,” he continued, “but this? This is something else. Seems to me like the beauty fairy visited your house more than once.”

She laughed softly, a little embarrassed. “I’m flattered, you don't look bad yourself.”

A waiter approached, menus in hand. Melody barely glanced before ordering a piña colada. Blake didn’t hesitate.

“I’ll have the same,” he said.

She looked up at him. “Really?”

He smiled. “If it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for me.”

When the drinks arrived, condensation sliding down the glasses, they lifted them almost instinctively.

“To unexpected company, that'll lead to a beautiful friendship,” Blake said.

Melody nodded. “To that.”

They took their first sips, and for a moment, there was an easy silence. Not awkward. Just both of them thinking of what to say and what not to say.

“Are you sure you don't want anything else?” Blake asked, pointing to the waiters. “I could ask them to get you everything you want.”

“No, I'm good, thank you.”

“If you say so.” He took a generous sip from his drink.

“So,” he continued, leaning back slightly. “How have you been? Really.”

“I’ve been fine,” she replied. “Busy, trying to find my way around.”

He studied her face, like he was looking for cracks she wasn’t offering. “We’re all finding our way around. Personally I'm finding my way around trying to be friends with you. I'm hopeful.”

She shrugged lightly. “Ain’t we all?”

He smiled, then hesitated. “I hope this isn’t inappropriate, but how's Logan?”

Her fingers paused around the glass. “He’s fine I guess,” she said.

“And you two?” Blake asked carefully. “Are you… an item?”

The question lingered. Melody hesitated. Just a second too long. “Yes,” she said finally. “We are.”

Blake tilted his head. “That hesitation tells me everything.”

She stiffened. “What do you mean?”

“It tells me you’re not serious,” he said calmly. It took you almost a whole minute to decide if the both of you are together.”

“No,” she replied quickly. “We are serious. He’s my boyfriend.”

Blake nodded slowly, lips pressed together. “Interesting.”

“Why?” she asked.

“I’ve never known Logan to be the one girlfriend type,” he said. “He was… the bad boy in every group. Always had options, always was the ladies favourite.”

She took another sip, watching him closely. “Oh. Really?”

“Yes,” he said. “So I keep wondering… why him?”

She frowned. “I think you should be wondering why me.”

Blake laughed softly. “No, no. You? You’re obviously charming, reserved, smart. But him?”

There was something sharp beneath his words. Something edged, she sensed it then, the animosity. The familiarity that didn’t come from casual acquaintance.

“How about you, are you seeing someone?”

Melody saw that the question took him by surprise. He didn't see that coming. “Not really, you know what, let's talk about something more cheerful. Something better.” Blake smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

She didn’t push. Instead, another thought surfaced, one that had been quietly nagging at her.

“How did you get my number, Blake?” she asked. “I remember vividly that I didn't give you my number, I only collected your card.”

He blinked, then laughed. “I have my ways.”

“What does that even mean?”

He shrugged. “I know a friend who knows a friend who knows you.”

She smiled politely, but something felt off.

“Which friend?” she asked.

He waved it off. “Another time.”

She knew he was lying. Her circle in New York was small, Tara, Logan, maybe Daniel, maybe Miss Penelope. None of them would give her number away.

She decided not to dwell on it. They talked about work instead. About life. About ambition.

“I’m looking for a place,” Melody said eventually. “Somewhere I can start my pastry shop. Bigger this time.”

Blake’s eyes lit up. “You bake?”

“Yes.”

“That’s impressive.”

She smiled faintly, not wanting to go into details.

“I knew there was something special about you,” he said.

She glanced at her watch, it was almost time for her appointment with Logan. Just as she was about to finish her drink, her phone rang. She knew without checking who was calling that it was Logan.

She excused herself and pressed answer.

“I’ll be at your place in twenty minutes,” he said. “Where are you?”

“I’m having a drink with a friend,” she replied. “Send me the address and I’ll meet you there.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “I can pick you up.”

“No,” she said. “Just send it, I'll meet you there.”

When she hung up, she looked at Blake. “I have to go.”

“Can we do this again?” he asked sweetly. “Next time I'd take you somewhere better.”

“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “Let’s see.”

“That’s an assurance,” he smiled.

She stood. He pulled out her chair.

“I’ll drop you,” he insisted.

She hesitated, but she thought about having to wait for a cab. It wasn’t a big deal if he drops her off at the address Logan just sent to her. So she nodded.

As they walked out together, Melody couldn’t shake the feeling that this lunch, this one drink, shouldn't have happened.