Blazing Hot Bad Boys Boxed Set - A MC Romance Bundle (74 page)

CHAPTER TEN

“You got a minute?” Joseph asks, sticking his head into Rose’s office half an hour later.

“Sure. Come in and have a seat.”

“I’m sorry about that out there. I didn’t mean to come down on you so hard. I don’t try to foist my views onto others. I would welcome the chance to talk to you about them sometime, but that wasn’t the time or the place.”

She waves off his concern. “You were fine. I’m the one that started the conversation. I should know better than get into a discussion with someone better informed than me. I bet you felt like you were in a battle of wits with an unarmed woman.”

Joseph chuckles. “No. Your reaction is fairly typical, actually. People buy into the spin and don’t really think about what they are saying. Everyone wants to help others and feel good about themselves. It isn’t until you really think about what you are saying when you realize that maybe this stuff isn’t such a good idea after all. Unintended consequences can be a real bitch.”

Rose grins. “I know how that works. I had this huge, and expensive, saltwater fish tank put in at
Aguilar’s
. It was gorgeous. The problem was, it made the entire place smell like the ocean. A lot of people in Vegas have never smelled the ocean. I finally had to have it taken out.”

“And yet it seemed like such a good idea at the time,” he teases.

“Yes it did! I mean it was beautiful, and it really added something. But every time I walked past the thing, even though it was built into a wall, you could still smell it. In case you didn’t know,
Aguilar’s
isn’t a seafood place, and the first thing I want people to smell when they come in isn’t that fish tank.”

Joseph smiles. “In any case, I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry and I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

“It’s fine Joseph. Don’t worry about. Melina told me I should talk to you and when I did I would start to think about all the things I believe.”

Joseph smiles. “She, Tim, and I used to have some real stem-winders. A lot of her reactions were like yours. I think women are just naturally more nurturing.” Joseph pauses a minute. “She is a great friend. Tim was too.”

“Yes they are, were,” Rose says. “And me?”

Joseph’s lazy grin appears. “You’re much more than just a friend.”

“Oh, would you just stop it!” she teases. “I told you yesterday, I’m not sleeping with you.”

***

Rose flops down on Melina’s couch after closing the
Goose
and takes a deep breath, blowing it out from puffed cheeks. “You okay?” Melina asks, appearing from the back of the house.

“Just tired. You?”

“Okay,” Melina says. “I’ve made it all day without shedding a tear. I was close a couple of times but I managed to get through them.”

“You need to get out of the house. Why don’t you drop the kids off with your parents and come have lunch with me? We’ll go shopping and I’ll buy your lunch. You can’t beat an offer like that,” Rose suggests.

Melina smiles. “You know. Maybe I will. I haven’t been out of the house since the funeral. I have been going through Tim’s things. Boxing them up. I could use a break. It will be good to get out and go do something fun.”

“Perfect!” Rose exclaims with a smile, glad to see that Melina’s ship is finally starting to right itself. “That’s a good attitude. Baby steps. Take it one step at a time and it will get better. If you stumble and fall, just get right back up and take the next step. I know it has to be hard, but it’s all you can do. You’re not even thirty yet. You’ve got your whole life in front of you.”

Melina smiles sadly. “Yeah, I know. But it’s easier said than done.”

“I had a nice chat with the Nine Devils today,” Rose says, changing the subject to draw Melina’s thoughts away from her loss.

“What did you think?”

“They have some pretty strange ideas. No public education, for example.”

“Actually, that’s not completely true. I think they object to federal government being so heavily involved in education and want to see control returned to the local level.”

Rose looks at Melina, surprised that she is so well informed. The last time she saw her, she was more concerned with who was winning
Dancing with the Stars.
“Joseph said that you and Tim and he talked about this stuff. Stem-winders, he called them.”

“Yeah. Joseph used to piss me off, but the more I talked to him, the more sense he made. The thing is, he never belittled my opinions. He would just present me with facts and ask me questions. And the more I thought about what he was saying, the more I realized that he is right. I could never live like he does, but that doesn’t make him any less right. In the last year or so, since I started talking with him and thinking about what he believes, I have…
changed
, I guess is the best word… much to Dad’s chagrin.” 

“Your dad is still a Democrat?”

“Always has been, always will be,” Melina says with a lopsided grin. “We just don’t talk about it. Saves the hard feelings because he gets so upset. Unlike Joseph, he can’t discuss stuff like that without getting mad.”

“Yeah. I noticed that about Joseph. He never got upset or snarky. But we didn’t talk long. I was in way over my head,” Rose says. “Beside, that stuff is
boring!
I have too much going on in my life to be worried over whether the feds are involved in public education.”

Melina smiles. “I used to feel the same way. I’m still not as into it as Joseph is, but I do pay more attention to what is going on now. Like that stupid brouhaha over the Washington Redskins. I’m glad we have solved all of the countries other problems so we can worry about stuff like that.”

“What?”

“Never mind. It’s not important,” Melina says with a dismissive wave of her hand. “So, having talked to him, what do you think? Still think Joseph is a weirdo?”

“Definitely,” Rose answers with a grin. “But a well-spoken weirdo for sure.”

“Not to mention hot as shit!” Melina teases.

“Okay, there is that too,” she agrees with a grin.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The next morning Rose drags herself out of bed at eight, groaning, stretching, and yawning as she staggers into the shower. After Dick all but threw her out of the restaurant to have dinner with Joseph, she has backed off on the number hours, but she still hasn’t fully recovered from the long days and early mornings. She has more or less slipped back into her old routine, working the closing shift, more comfortable sitting up late than getting up early.

Scrubbed and dressed in a casual skirt and comfortable blouse, she helps Melina prepare breakfast for Michael and Kimberly, the baby giggling and throwing cereal around the room.

“Are you sure about this?” Melina asks as she sips her coffee.

“We talked about this last night. Yes I’m sure. When was the last time you went out shopping for just yourself?”

“It has been a long time,” Melina admits.

“It will do you good. Get you some new clothes. Give you a chance to forget your troubles for a while. We used to love to shop.”

“I know. And I still do, but now it is mostly for kids clothes. But it feels… wrong… somehow, to go out shopping for clothes so soon after…”

“Melina, listen to me. You can’t sit in the house and mope all the time. It’s not good for you. I know it’s hard. I know it is! But you can’t live your life as the grieving widow forever. An afternoon out with a friend doing something you love isn’t being unfaithful to Tim. You need this. If you don’t want to shop and have lunch, that’s fine. Pick something else. But you’re leaving this house for a few hours this morning if I have to drag you. Capiche?”

Melina has a flicker of a smile before it disappears. “But what will my friends think?”

“If they’re really your friends, they will be over here helping me shove you into the car. If they don’t approve, then fuck ‘em,” Rose says, before covering her mouth in shock and embarrassment for throwing the F-bomb in front of Melina’s children. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that,” she says before looking at Michael. “Don’t tell anyone that your aunt Rose uses bad words.” She then turns her attention back to Melina. “When did you start caring what anyone thinks, anyway?”

Melina offers Rose a slight smile. “Okay. Let’s go shopping. I haven’t had a girl’s day out since you were here the last time.”

“Now that that’s settled,” Rose says, turning to Kimberly. “You want to go for a ride with aunt Rose?” she asks, leaning in close and speaking in the false excitement of baby talk. “You want to go see your grandpa and grandma? You do?”

Melina’s smile widens slightly as Kimberly shrieks in excitement, reaching for Rose.  “You should have kids. You’re a natural.”

“Someday,” Rose says, pulling the tray back, freeing Kimberly from her prison and picking her up. “I’ll bet you a strawberry milkshake you can’t be ready before I get back from dropping the kids off.”

Melina smile broadens even more. Rose knows just where her weaknesses are. “You’re on.”

***

“Would you tell her that looks good on her?” Rose says to the sales clerk in exasperation. This is only the first stop and already Melina is being a pain in the ass.

“It really does look good on you,” the sales clerk agrees. “The blue compliments your coloring and it has an understated sexiness about it. Perfect for romantic night out on the town.” Rose grins at Melina in triumph.  

“I don’t know Rose,” Melina waffles. “It seems so…”

“So what?” Rose asks in mock annoyance. “Sophisticated? Trendy? Sexy? What?”

Melina grins again. Rose keeps picking outfits for her that are all of those things, but… “It just doesn’t seem appropriate right now, somehow. And I’m a mother of two, for God’s sake!”

Rose glances around. Except for the sale clerk, they are alone in the store. “Ever heard of a MILF?” she asks quietly.

Melina gasps, her mouth falling open in surprise and shock, before she giggles. “Rose! You’re horrible!”

“You don’t look like the mother of two in that outfit,” the snickering sales clerk adds.

“She’ll take it,” Rose says with finality. “In fact, wrap up the clothes she wore in. She’ll wear it out. We need to get you some shoes too.”

“Rose! No!” Melina objects.

Rose puts her finger to her lips and then gives her the stink-eye, wagging her finger in playful warning. “If you won’t buy it, I will. And after all I have done for you, too… running your restaurant, dropping your kids off at your mother’s, buying you lunch later—with a strawberry milkshake I might add—you’re going to make me buy your clothes too?”

Melina looks at herself in the mirror again, smoothing the dress over her hips once more. “It looks good?”

“Melina, honey, it looks fantastic! You look great!” Rose steps up behind her, putting her lips close to her ear so only she can hear. “You are beautiful, Melina. Never forget that. Someday you will be ready to wear this. I want you to have it for when you are. If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for me.” Rose watches Melina’s face in the mirror as it twists with grief, but then she sniffs and her face relaxes.

“You’re such a good friend,” Melina whispers, her face wrinkling again as she struggles once more to not cry.

“So are you, Melina. The best.”

Melina smiles at Rose, her eyes full of tears before she blinks several times and turns to the clerk and smiles. “I’ll take it.”

It requires Rose threatening to withhold the coveted milkshake, but Melina finally agrees to wear the dress out of the shop. “You can’t wear your sneakers with that dress. The fashion police will arrest us both… you for wearing them and me for letting you,” Rose states, dragging Melina into the nearest shoe store.

As the clerk in the shoe store waits on Melina with polite puppy-dog eagerness, Rose fades into the background, allowing Melina to enjoy his attentions. Melina finally selects a set of pumps with two-inch heels, dropping her sneakers in the bag with her pants and blouse. “What do you think?” Melina asks as she poses for Rose outside the shoe shop.

“I think, Melina, that only that little band of gold kept him from asking you out,” Rose says, holding up her left hand and rubbing her ring finger with her thumb.

Melina smiles, slightly sad. “Yeah. Well… maybe some time in the future. I’m not ready to even think about that right now.”

“I know you aren’t. But he had to still be in college, and he was lusting after this hot momma with two kids. Remember when you were feeling alone and that no one would want you?” Rose asks kindly. “Do you see now that you are still beautiful? That you still have a lot to offer?”

“Maybe,” Melina finally allows with a slight smile.

“No ‘maybe.’ Don’t make me come back up here and kick your ass, Melina. You know I will.”

Melina snickers. “Yes, I believe you would.”

They stop in several other shops, buying nothing, before they enter one that specializes in lingerie. Melina tries to demur, but Rose insists. “Well, I want to look for myself then,” she states as she enters the store.

Rose looks through the racks, showing several to Melina. She resists buying anything else, and Rose doesn’t press, until she holds up a black silk number that catches her eye. “This,” Rose states firmly, holding the sexy nothingness to Melina.

“Rose, no,” Melina says quietly, but Rose can read the want in her eyes.

“Oh poo,” Rose
tsks
, taking the bag of old clothes from Melina. “Do you have something like this already?”

“No… but…”

“No buts,” Rose interrupts. “You can’t wear granny panties under that dress. It’s not allowed. Here, try it on,” she says, forcing the garment into Melina’s hand.

“But Rose! I can’t wear this!”

“When you are ready to wear that dress again, you will be ready to wear this. Melina, please. For me?”

Melina hesitates, clearly torn between wanting the negligee and not wanting to appear shallow.

“It will be okay Melina,” Rose encourages gently. “You will know when the time is right. Until then, no one but you and I will know you have it. Do something nice for yourself. Tim wouldn’t want you to give up on life.”

Rose follows Melina to the changing rooms, waiting in the outer area until Melina steps out. “What do you think?” she asks shyly.

“I’ve changed my mind. Don’t buy it. I don’t want the competition.” Rose says, then smiles. “You look great. Very sexy.”

Melina smiles at the compliment. “It just seems so wrong to be buying something like this so soon after… so soon.”

“It’s not though. It is part of the healing process. I want you to feel good about yourself. I want you start getting on with your life. I know you miss Tim. I know you aren’t ready now, but I want you to remember that you still have a life to live. Every time you look in your closet and your drawer, every time you see that dress or this negligee, I want you to remember how beautiful and special you are. I want you to remember that you are too young and vibrant to withdraw from the world. Please Melina. I don’t know what else to do. I don’t want you to go through life like this, never doing anything fun, never doing anything nice for yourself.”

Melina looks at Rose for a long time, saying nothing. “Okay. For when the time is right,” she says quietly.

Rose smiles, fighting the desire to cry in sympathy. “Good. The world needs more Melina, not less.”

They leave the mall and enjoy a lunch at the
Silver Peak,
a Reno micro-brewery known for their good food. As the meal progresses they talk and laugh and Melina begins to come out of her shell slightly, showing some of the spunk that Rose knows she has. She knows it is only temporary but Rose delights in the fact that, for a while at least, Melina can forget her pain. As they leave the restaurant, Melina even has a little sway in her hips, causing Rose to smile.

“Thank you Rose,” Melina says as they make the forty-five minute drive back to Eagle Valley. “I really enjoyed today.”

“So did I, Melina,” Rose replies. As they drive Melina becomes pensive again, her head resting against the seat back, staring out of the side glass. “What are you thinking?” Rose asks.

“How short life is. How you take people and things for granted. I think I took Tim for granted. I just assumed he would always be there, and now he is gone,” Melina says as she continues to stare at the passing scenery. “There is so much I wish I had said to him. I wish I had told him every time I saw him how much I loved him, how much he meant to me, but I didn’t. And now I will never be able to.”

“I’m sorry Melina.”

“Nothing for you to be sorry for. I think it happens to everyone. They think they have all the time in the world, and then before they know it, the time is up. Life is too short to take for granted like that, but you don’t realize it until it is too late.” 

They ride in silence the rest of the way to Melina’s house, the words “life is too short” replaying over and over in Rose’s head.