Alluring Infatuation (20 page)

Clove sees my expression. “Don’t worry about her. She’s a nut. She calls him ‘her baby’. She’s crazy, but harmless.”

Blue laughs out loud. “Harmless? Bradi?”

Bradi glares and says, “I resent that! I am a card carrying member of the psycho squad.” But her eyes are twinkling.

Clove swats at her. “Stop, you’re scaring Dr. Bird.”

I chuckle. These girls are insane, but it’s easy to see how close they all are. I envy them that. “Clove, I’ve told you. Please call me Melonie. It seems weird when you call me, Dr. Bird.”

Bradi chuckles. “You get naked with Dade. I can see how that would be weird.”

My face turns bright red and I choke.

Clove sputters, “Oh my God, Bradi. Shut up!”

Bradi looks right at me. “What?! She does.”

I don’t even know what to say to that. I do actually, but still… I’m Clove’s doctor and my staff could walk in at any minute. No one but Monica knows that I’m involved with Dade.

Somehow, we get through the remainder of the appointment and Clove and the baby both look great. He’s growing perfectly. As I’m finishing up, Clove starts picking at her nails. It seems like something is on her mind.

“Is everything alright, Clove?”

She looks at me nervously. “What? Oh, yes. Everything is fine. What are you doing tomorrow?”

I blink.
What am I doing tomorrow? Why does she want to know that?
“I don’t have anything big planned. Why?”

Bradi is staring at me. “Tomorrow is the baby shower. It’s a co-ed. You should come. I think Clove wants you to come. Dade will be there.”

Dade has not mentioned this to me. I don’t want to just show up since he hasn’t said anything. We’re not dating. How much do they know about what’s going on? Shit, I don’t even know what the hell is going on.

I shake my head. “Thank you for the invitation. But I can’t do that. That should be for friends and family.”

Clove looks at me with her deep brown eyes. Her brother’s eyes.
Fuck!

“I’d really like it if you’d come. Liam would, too. And I think Dade would as well… Melonie.”

I don’t know about that…

I swallow. “Um, we’ll see, ok? What time is it and where?”

Bradi looks at me and then she mutters, “He didn’t tell you about it, did he? Mother fucker. He’s an ass.”

Clove’s eyes go wide. “You didn’t know?”

I shake my head and smile uncomfortably.

Blue opens and closes her mouth. “Ok, you’re coming. I don’t know what the fuck he’s doing, but he searched high and low for you and now this is the first time we’ve met you. You’re coming tomorrow!”

I just look at all of them.

Clove whispers, “Please. I don’t know why he didn’t tell you, but please come.”

I can’t tell her no. So, I nod.

Well, shit! I guess I’ll figure it out tomorrow. I’m going for her and Liam, not for Dade. If he gets mad or whatever, he can get over it.

Bradi smiles triumphantly. She checks her watch. “So, you close at noon on Fridays, right, Doc?”

I nod reluctantly. “We do.”

“Ok, good. Come to lunch with us. We’re going to Java and Sweeties. Lunch and then we’re going to transform the place into baby haven. The shower is there tomorrow and Lexi is making the cake.”

My face is blank. I don’t remember who Lexi is. Blue catches on. “Lexi owns Java and Sweeties. She’s married to Jude. He’s the lead singer of the band.” Right, I remember Dade mentioning them now. He told me about them once when he invited me to go to Bayou Country Superfest. I’m remembering some now.

I nod. “You’re with… Jessie? Right?”

She laughs. “Yeah, I’m engaged to Jessie. Clove is engaged to Liam, but you know him. Then, there’s also Cruz. That’s it for the band.” She points at Bradi. “She’s now engaged to her man, Micah. She does PR for the band and keeps Rock With Me running.”

I’m remembering now. “Wow, that’s a lot of upcoming weddings. Congrats, y’all.” I wrack my brain. “Isn’t there a guy in there, too?”

Clove nods and smiles. “Yes, Erik. He’s Lexi and Jude’s best friend and he’s Lexi’s business partner. His boyfriend Alec is pretty amazing.”

“Dade told me this once.” I grimace. The fact that these are his best friends and I don’t know them, reinforces that we do not have an actual relationship.

Love those “in your face” reminders!

Bradi is watching me. “So, Doc, you coming eat with us since you just said you have nada going on?”

What the hell? I really do like Clove and her friends seem cool. What’s the harm in spending the afternoon with them? All I was going to do was go drink a bottle of wine and listen to Sam Kerrigan’s new cd while I read the LL Collins book I downloaded last night.

Nodding, I grin. “Sure. Just let me get y’all out of here and send my staff home so I can lock up. I can meet y’all there.”

Clove claps. “Oh, yay. It’ll be fun. Promise.” Her eyes twinkle and she grins impishly. “Though, I can’t promise what will come of out of their mouths won’t be inappropriate!”

Bradi and Blue look at each other and chuckle and Bradi says, “True story!”

I laugh as I leave Clove to get dressed. This might be fun. Just what I need to find out a little more about Dade and see what I’m going to do about this quandary I find myself in.

Half an hour later, I’m leaving the office and heading toward the LSU campus. Java and Sweeties is the most popular coffee shop in town and also the top rated bakery. I’m a big fan of coffee and sweets, so I’m excited to see what all they have to offer since I’ve never actually been there. I’ve only had the baked treats sales reps bring into the office.

It’s packed when I turn in and the only spot is behind the building. I park and look around as I walk to the door. It looks like it was a house at one time that was converted. The building has real charm and I love the outdoor patio and the mix of wicker and iron furniture.

I walk in and the smell of coffee and baked goods makes my mouth water. Searching the interior, I see the girls sitting at a large table in the corner. Clove sees me and calls out, “Over here, Melonie.”

I point to the counter and she shakes her head no. “Just come here.”

Shrugging, I head over. There are little sandwiches and five cups of covered soup on the table along with a few glasses and some lemon water in a glass pitcher.

Bradi slides a cup of soup over to me. It smells delicious. “What are you drinking, Doc?”

I shrug. “Water is fine for now, but I’ll grab a coffee in a bit. What’s good here?”

Blue laughs and exclaims, “Everything! Do you like regular coffee or flavored coffees? The White Chocolate Raspberry Latte is to die for. I have no idea how my ass is not bigger than it is!”

That coffee sounds good. Laughing at Blue, I reply, “I think I’ll try that in a bit.”

Bradi laughs and shakes her head before she calls out. “Yo, Erik.” A very good looking man who is hugely muscled looks over and winks. “Yeah, hot stuff. Another of Blue’s concoctions for the Doc.”

He nods and salutes.

Bradi looks back at me and winks. “It’s taken care of. He’ll bring it over in a bit. That’s Erik in case you missed that.”

Looking over my shoulder, I check him out. He is really, really good looking. I sigh.

Bradi sighs, too. “I know, right? Gorgeous hunk of man meat and prefers the penis.” She laughs. “You should see his boyfriend. Swoon! Every woman wants to get in the middle of that. Too bad none ever will.”

I look at her in shock.
What?

Blue laughs at the look on my face. “Word of advice, Doc. Don’t take anything she says seriously. She has no filter. But, yes, Erik is fine. So is Alec and they are both the best guys you’ll ever meet.”

A few minutes later, with all four of us watching him, he walks over to the table balancing a tea and four coffees. He passes them out and sits down, grabbing a sandwich as he does. He pins me with a glance “Hi. I’m Erik. You must be Doc,” and holds out his hand.

Taking it, I blush. “It’s nice to meet you, Erik. Please call me Melonie. I hate the name Doc. It reminds me of an old man with weird glasses or dwarves.”

He snorts. “If you’re a dwarf, then those three are Trendy, Crazy, and Docile.” He waves towards Blue, Bradi, and Clove.

Bradi laughs out loud and slaps the table. She laughs even louder as she says, “Oh look, here comes Red. And you would be Dreamy.”

A soft voice breaks in. “I’m Red?”

Turning, I see a petite, but stacked, red-head who is breathtakingly pretty. Her eyes are the most unusual golden color. She smiles at me. “I’m Lexi. You must be Dade’s lady friend. Melonie, right?”

My jaw drops open. “I-I’m not Dade’s… No, no, I’m not. But, I am Melonie.”

She frowns slightly and her forehead wrinkles as she looks at Clove with a question. Clove shrugs.

Do they think Dade and I are a couple? Why would his friends think that?

Turning back to me, she looks me over and smiles. “Either way, it’s really nice to finally meet you.”

I nod. “Likewise.”

We talk about the bakery, the shower and other trivial things for the next hour. Erik sits with us for about half an hour and then leaves to head back behind the counter. They are all very sweet and welcoming. I can’t help but feel uncomfortable though, and I can’t shake the feeling that I don’t belong here.

Lexi hops off of the stool and talks to the table at large. “Ok, well let me go back and finish the cake for tomorrow. I have all of the cookies iced and decorated and the brownies Liam requested are cooling so I can cut them.

All of the decorations are in my office. They should have everything you need in there. Probably too much, but I went a little crazy.

I’ll be out to help y’all as soon as I can and we’re closing early tonight so we can rearrange the room.” She checks her wrist. “That gives y’all about an hour to sort everything before we lock up.” She looks at me. “Will you be coming tomorrow, Melonie?”

I nod. “Clove invited me, so, yes.”

She grins. “Excellent. Ok, let me go finish up back there so I can help y’all out here.”

She leaves and Bradi orders Clove to a couch and enlists Blue and me to help lug boxes.

There are a
lot
of boxes.

We carry boxes and sort things until Erik locks the doors so he and the workers can clean up before he sends them home. I hear him remind them they are only opening the drive-through tomorrow, since the shower is here at noon.

Turning back, he grins and laughs as Bradi runs to the counter and cranks up the music. We laugh and dance around as we decorate and rearrange the room.

It’s a good time. I haven’t had fun like this in a long time. It’s nice to feel included and just hang out.

Before I even realize it, it’s dark. Checking my watch, I realize I’ve been here for eight hours.

We’re hanging the last of the decorations when there’s a knock on the door. Erik looks over and grins as he unlocks it and then he’s kissing a gorgeous man and a lot of other sexy men are walking in. All head to a girl, except for the one who’s staring at me and the one I recognize as Cruz from the Googling I did of the band.

My breath catches as Dade stares.

Dade

I
was just thinking of her and here she is. What is she doing here? Is she looking for me?

Why would she be waiting for me? She hasn’t returned my calls or texts for two days.

What the hell is she doing here?!

She looks just as shocked to see me as I am to see her. Before I can stop myself, I’ve crossed the room and taken her elbow. She stares at me.

I stare back. The room is dead quiet. Breaking eye contact, I look around and everyone is staring at us.

Ok, so now what? Do I do what I want to do or do I just play it cool?

Before the thought is finished, I’ve pulled her into me and I’m kissing her. I’m kissing her in front of my friends. My family.

She gasps and freezes for a brief second before her arms are around my neck and she’s kissing me back.

We kiss thoroughly before I slowly pull back.

She’s looking at me with a question on her face and confusion in her sparkling eyes. Neither of us speaks.

“Get a room! Damn!” Bradi breaks the tension.

Everyone laughs and I chuckle as Melonie’s face flushes. She buries her face in my neck.

I hug her before setting her back from me. Turning her and facing everyone, I say, “Y’all, this is Melonie. Melonie, this is… everyone.”

Jude is the first to move. He grins and walks over. “Hey, Melonie. I’m Jude.” He hugs her.

Jessie calls out, “I’m the good looking one. I’m Jessie.”

Liam smiles and says, “You know me.”

Cruz smiles slightly and says quietly, “Hey, Melonie. I’m Cruz. It’s really nice to finally meet you.”

Micah smiles at Melonie with his arms around Bradi and calls out, “Hi, Melonie. I’m Bradi’s Mister. I’m Micah.”

Alec tucks his hair behind his ear and grins. “I’m Alec. Welcome to the bunch.”

I smile over Melonie’s head at my friends and family. They’ve finally met her.