This Feels Like A Fresh Start

The car slowed as Blake pulled up in front of the wrought-iron gate, its black bars looked like it just recently got painted. The neighborhood was quiet, she's always dreamt of getting a place in a safe neighborhood where she could go running early in the morning. 

Melody glanced out the window, her heart beating a little faster as she checked her phone again.

She was expecting to come here and see Logan's car, but it looks like he's not here yet. She picked up her phone and texted him.

Melody: 

Hey Logan, are you here yet? I’m outside.

The reply came almost instantly.

Logan:

I’m close.

She exhaled, relief washing over her. She could not bear to listen to Blake talk nonstop about how he couldn't stop thinking about her.

Blake shifted in his seat, glancing at her sideways. “You still haven't told me who you'll be meeting with, does the person have a name?”

“No,” she said simply.

He nodded, not wanting to sound nosey. They both sat in silence, watching the snow fall softly. He didn’t turn off the engine. The car idled softly, a low hum filling the space between them. Melody reached for the door handle.

“Thanks for dropping me off Blake, I know you have things to do and Logan will be here soon. I'll just stand outside and wait for him, I bet you have errands and important things to do.”

“I can wait,” Blake said suddenly.

She paused. “You don’t have to.”

“I insist.” He smiled, that same effortless smile he always wore, the kind that made women feel chosen and unsettled at the same time. “I don’t like the idea of you standing outside alone. Especially not in a place like this, it's very quiet and cold outside.” 

She hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. If you insist.”

He leaned back, visibly pleased. “Good.”

Silence settled again, thicker this time.

Blake turned toward her fully. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?”

She sighed softly. “Yes. You did.”

“And did I tell you that you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen?”

She scoffed lightly. “No, you didn’t. And you don’t have to. I already know that’s not true.”

He laughed. “Why do you think that?”

“I don’t need to explain,” she replied calmly. “I know when someone is flattering me.”

“Flattery implies exaggeration,” he said. “I don’t exaggerate.”

She met his gaze. “You do. And even if you didn’t, it’s unnecessary. I told you I’m with Logan.”

Blake rolled his eyes. “You keep saying that.”

“Because it’s true.”

“Are you married to Logan?” he asked.

“No.”

“Then you’re automatically single, besides I don't see a ring.”

She blinked. “Oh. Really?”

“That’s how it works.”

She tilted her head, studying him. “So if I decide to go out with you today, and someone else asks me out tomorrow, I can tell them I’m single too?”

He frowned. “You’re twisting my words.”

“No,” she said softly. “I’m repeating them.”

He exhaled sharply. “Fine. But Logan isn’t the kind of man you commit to.”

She stiffened. “And you are?”

“I'm not a perfect man but I'm decent, I'm not saying Logan is a bad person, but he won’t commit to you.”

“I don’t care.”

He stared at her. “You don’t care that the man you’re committed to isn’t committed to you?”

“Yes,” she said firmly. “I don’t care.”

For the first time since she’d met him, Blake was speechless. Headlights suddenly swept across the driveway.

Melody turned just as a sleek black car pulled in behind them.

It was Logan's Mercedes.

She reached for the door and stepped out, wrapping her coat around her tightly. “Thank you for the ride, Blake.”

Before she could step out, Blake opened his door too, he wanted to say hello to his old friend.

Logan stepped out of his car, tall and composed, his presence effortlessly commanding. His eyes flicked briefly to Blake’s car and then to Melody.

Before she could speak, Blake walked over, slipping effortlessly into her space.

“Hey, Logan,” Blake said, smiling. “I saw you and decided to say hello, it's been a while.”

Logan’s jaw tightened slightly. “Blake, what are you doing here?”

“Yeah, I brought Melody. We had drinks together and as a gentleman that I am, I insisted on dropping her.” He gestured casually. “

“Oh,” Logan said coolly. “How thoughtful.”

Blake smirked. “So what’s going on here?” He looked at the FOR SALE sign in front of the property and figured they were both here to get a house, but he wanted to hear them say it.

“That’s none of your business,” Logan replied calmly. “You can go now.”

The shift was instant.

Blake’s smile froze but only for a second.

“All right,” he said lightly. “Melody, goodbye.” He leaned in and pressed a deliberate kiss to her cheek, catching her by surprise. Then he turned to Logan and winked.

Logan didn’t react. He simply turned to Melody and held out his hand.

“Shall we?”

She took his hand and nodded at him. Blake was a pain in the ass. And together, they walked inside.

The front door opened to reveal Victor Reynolds, a tall man in his late forties with a professional smile and sharp eyes. He looked like he's been waiting to usher them inside.

“Mr. Russo, Miss Melody,” he greeted warmly. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Merry Christmas,” Melody added politely.

“And to you,” Victor replied. “Please, come in.”

The house smelled faintly of fresh pine and polished wood. Warm light flooded the open living space, illuminating high ceilings, wide windows, and an elegant simplicity that immediately made Melody’s chest ache.

“This is beautiful,” she whispered.

Logan watched her carefully. “You like it?”

She nodded. “I do, it looks like some renovations have been done here.”

“Yes ma'am. The owner wanted a more modern furnishing without losing the original plan of the house. You're going to love it, let me take you to the kitchen.”

They both followed him to the kitchen, and she loved it immediately. Although it wasn't as big as she expected it to be, since she'll be spending a whole lot of time here prepping and baking.

Victor smiled. “There is a private patio. And the garden wraps around the back, perfect for hosting guests or just having private time together as a couple.”

Melody looked up at Logan, who was holding back his laughter. She hit him softly and they both followed Victor as he led them through the space, explaining each detail. 

Melody listened intently, imagining life here on quiet mornings, baking by the window in the kitchen and watching the snow fall, taking long walks and reading crime novels in her beautiful garden. Tara is so going to love this place.

Logan noticed everything she noticed.

When they reached the patio, Melody stepped outside after the tour, inhaling deeply.

“This feels like a fresh start,” she said.

Logan stepped beside her. “That’s exactly what I want, I want you to have a peaceful fresh start.”

She turned to him, emotion swelling unexpectedly. “Thank you.”

He shrugged lightly. “You deserve it.”

They stood there in comfortable silence, the tension from earlier slowly dissolving into something warmer. Something safer.

Victor cleared his throat politely. “I’ll give you two a moment, just let me know if this would be your choice or you wouldn't mind checking the next property.” 

As the door closed behind him, Melody turned to Logan again. “About earlier…”

“I don’t want to talk about Blake,” Logan said gently. “He’s not worth it.”

She searched his face. “You’re not angry?”

“No,” he replied honestly.