Living Lies (3 page)

“You have a nice place,” he said, turning when he realized she was behind him. Assessing a photo that had been taken at Sea World in September. Trish had dated a guy who fed the dolphins and had arranged a private showing for the girls. In the picture they were all making faces and Trish had tried to give rabbit ears to the dolphin. “You seem to have good friends. I’ve seen you together at the club.” He smiled, and looked embarrassed as he placed the frame back on the crooked TV unit she’d got from a second-hand store. “So, are we ready to go?”

He ran his hands through that perfect blond hair. How many times had she dreamed of this moment?

“I’m ready.”

The warmth of her happiness spread from the pit of her stomach to her cheeks and despite the cool evening air she felt toasty. He opened the door and Melanie climbed into his faded, old red Jeep. The CJ-7 had seen better days – it smelled of motor oil, the top was ripped and the plastic windows were cloudy.

She sank comfortably into the warm sheepskin seat covers.

“Where are we going?”

“Pizza and a concert in the park?”

“Really?” She hadn’t heard about a concert, but then she’d been holed up for the past few days.

“Too cold?” He glanced at her sideways.

“No, it sounds great.”

“I’m sorry the heater doesn’t work too well,” he said, fiddling with the switches.

“It’s okay, really.” Melanie placed her hand on his wrist.

“Mel, your hands are so cold.” He cupped both of her hands inside one of his as he drove, letting go only to shift gears. His rough hand was warm and strong. Though the ride was noisy, wind whipping in and around the tattered top, she hardly noticed.

The pizza place was a nicer than the usual college hangout, with muted lighting enhanced by candles in red jars on red-and-white-checked tablecloths. Hand in hand, Danny led them to a private table in the back. Melanie bit her lip. This wasn’t a dream, she was holding Danny’s hand and they were on a date.

He ordered two beers and turned to her, looking puzzled.

“What do you like on your pizza? It’s funny, all this time we’ve known each other and I don’t know anything about you.”

“You know things about me.” She was beginning to feel very hot beneath his curious stare.

“Tell me,” he said, his eyes narrowing to slits.

Melanie was suddenly afraid he might be expecting too much. She was just a student and she wasn’t allowed to talk about the only thing interesting that had ever happened to her.

Danny smiled and leaned forward, “I know you’re beautiful and a genius with numbers, but otherwise I’m here with a stranger.” His gaze was intense. “Like, why are you studying finance? You’re so smart, you could do anything.” He touched a lock of hair resting on her shoulder.

Melanie flushed, even a bit dazed as she answered, “A PBS documentary on the stock exchange. I wanted Wall Street, millions of dollars, balanced in my hands. It’s exciting without being dangerous.” She took a sip of beer. “Why did
you
choose finance?”

“I wanted to be able to invest the money I make as a professional athlete.”

She liked the sound of his laugh, the slight overlapping of his front teeth and even the cocky glint in his eyes. The bump on the bridge of his nose was endearing, giving character to his otherwise perfect face.

She found herself staring and grasped at the first strand of conversation she could come up with.

“So, you were in Denver over break?”

Ugh
, she only knew this because she’d overheard him talking in class.

“Yeah, I grew up in Denver and my mom still lives there,” he answered, without noticing her slip.

Melanie took a swallow of the strong beer, a taste she didn’t particularly like.

“Why’d you come back early?”

“You,” he said without hesitation, staring directly into her eyes.

“Smooth, very nice.” She rolled her eyes but her skin tingled at his wonderfully sweet lie.

“When do your roommates come back?”

“A week from tomorrow. I’ll be glad to see them. It’s getting lonely in that apartment.”

“Well, now I’m here to keep you company.” His eyes sparkled, making her heart skip.

“I don’t think Carolyn will be very happy about that.”

It was a question, posed as a statement that she’d been dying to ask.

His battered fingers ran a single course through his sandy hair. “We broke up right before I left for Denver.” Then guzzled the last of his beer.

“Oh,” she said, delighted. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

He laughed. “No, you’re not!”

“Okay, I’m not,” she shrugged.

“Didn’t like Carolyn?”

“It’s not that, but if you were still with her then you wouldn’t be sitting here with me.” The beer was clearly having its intended effect. She felt giddy and light-headed, warming to the idea that Danny was seriously flirting with her. Or was she flirting with him?

“Smooth, very nice,” he said.

Melanie was extremely self-conscious; Throughout dinner his stares never left her face, hair or neck. Her first plan of trying
not
to make eye contact failed miserably and made her even more self-aware. Quickly, she checked her reflection in the window and ran her tongue over her teeth and closed her eyes.

Opening them slowly, he was looking directly at her and this time she couldn’t look away. He was handsome. She met his gaze, and the look in his eyes took her breath away. She’d never had the courage before, and was surprised by what she saw. His chocolate brown

eyes were soft and warm. This wasn’t the tough rugby player she pilfered glances at in class.

“You know, you ate three pieces of pizza,” he observed, not adjusting his eyes.

“You’re counting?” she asked, her eyebrow arched high in mock offense.

“Yeah,” he grinned, offering her the last slice.

Melanie declined, mildly embarrassed.

“Most girls I go out with order a salad and then only pretend to eat,” he laughed. “What’s that about?”

“I don’t know. I get irritable when I’m hungry.”

“Maybe
that’s
what’s wrong with most women.”

“You do realize you’ve just insulted half the population?”

“No, I said
most
women.”

“Technicality,” she said, glancing sideways at him. “Maybe it’s indicative, simply, of the women you’ve been choosing.”

As the words were still forming on her loose lips she knew she’d said too much. The higher his eyebrows lifted, pushing his forehead into his hairline, the worse she felt.

“I’m sorry.” She shook her head, “I should never drink.” It was a lame excuse but it was all she had.

“No, it’s okay, you’re probably right.” His warm fingers pressed on her icy hands as her face reddened. Gently he lifted her chin and drew her face up to meet his eyes. “You’re sweet, and gorgeous and honest,” he whispered as if the past three minutes never occurred.

Melanie sat frozen until the waitress broke the spell.

Danny looked at his watch. “Wow, it’s late. We should get going. The concert starts in half an hour.” He reached for the check and Melanie reached for her purse.

“Can I pay half?” she offered, unsure of the current policy.

“No way,” he said, ordering two coffees to go.

The Jeep roared to life and she wouldn’t have guessed that speeds over 80 miles per hour were a possibility, but now car lights and street lights all blurred into a long stream. Melanie did what she could to mask her white knuckles as she gripped the edge of her seat cushion.

“It’s Elvis’ birth week,” he explained, his eyes not kept nearly enough outside the windshield. “It’s a concert to honor him and his music. You’re okay with Elvis, right?”

“Yeah, but I don’t think we’re dressed appropriately. Shouldn’t you be wearing a white jumper and tunic?”

“He wore a cape, not a tunic, and it was my first choice, but since this is our first date I decided to go with the jeans.”

She let go of her grasp on her seat. Dating Danny was going to be a wild ride, Melanie decided, biting her lip in excitement.

The outdoor arena was draped in gold lamé, and behind the band hung a huge sign lit by hundreds of colored bulbs that spelled out “ELVIS”. Melanie was impressed.

The lead singer wore head to toe black leather, a guitar strapped across his shoulders. The crowd was wild, most in costume with muttonchops and TCB sunglasses to pay tribute to the King of

Rock ’n Roll. Melanie couldn’t resist joining in the dancing.

The party turned to karaoke when the band took a break, and Melanie and Danny found a spot away from the pack, far from the speakers.

It was a brisk, clear January night. The big-city lights obscured the stars but the almost-full moon shone dramatically overhead.

They huddled together for warmth, arm against arm, thigh against thigh. He wound his arm around her shoulder and Melanie shivered at his touch.

“Take my jacket.” He slipped his arm out of the sleeve.

“I can’t take your jacket, you’ll freeze.”

“Really, Mel,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m from Denver, remember? This is like spring for me.”

The inside of his jacket was lined with flannel and still warm from his body heat. His cologne permeated the fabric, making her swoon. Danny scooted in tight and practically pulled her onto his lap, his muscular arms encircling her shoulders.

“Better?”

She nodded.
You have no idea
, she thought.

Braving the winter night, they stayed through the last song.

“I had an incredible time tonight,” Danny said at her doorstep.

“Me, too.”

Melanie hung onto the doorknob for support. She’d been waiting for a kiss all evening.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said, in a husky low voice. “Melanie, I, um, I don’t usually ask this but…” He chuckled nervously. “Could I kiss you?”

Before Melanie could answer he was there, ever so slightly brushing his lips across hers. She felt his breath and hers sped up to mirror his. It was almost torture to have him so close, and just when she thought she couldn’t bear it any longer he pulled her in, his arms holding her tight and kissed her.

Melanie was overtaken and ran her hands up his neck and through his hair, pulling him lower.

His hair
, she thought from some sane region of her brain,
its so thick and soft, no wonder he’s always messing with it.

For a moment after the kiss they held each other, hearts racing and blood rushing. She was grateful to be in his arms, unsure if her legs would support her.

Danny let out a sigh. “Melanie.” He caressed her cheek then gently kissed her forehead. “I’d better go,” he said with a laugh.

A laugh? What was the laugh?
She wondered if she was missing something as her key became difficult. Clumsily, she wrestled with the door, he waited.

Alone inside, she melted to the floor. It was 20 minutes before she felt solid enough to make it to bed.

She wished Carla were home, they would rehash every detail of the evening. Melanie lay on her back, her head cradled in her pillow, and let the otherworldly sensation take over her body while her mind wandered. The concert had been romantic, and the kiss goodnight incredible. His cologne lingered on her skin as she drifted off to sleep. She was shaken out of a dream by the phone ringing.

“Hello?” It was late and she couldn’t imagine who’d be calling.

“Hi, you weren’t asleep yet, were you?”

It was Danny. Blissfully she pulled the blankets up to her chin and snuggled into her pillow.

“No,” she whispered, though she was alone in the apartment.

“I was thinking about you and I wanted to hear your voice.” He, too, was talking low, and Melanie wondered if he had a roommate or was this just how people spoke in the middle of the night.

“I’m really glad you called. I’m not sure I thanked you for the great time.”

“You did. Hey, look, I’ve got a couple of things to do in the morning but I’ll come by your place in the afternoon.”

Melanie nodded in silent darkness, her heart pounding.
Another date with Danny!

“Goodnight, Melanie Ward.”

“Goodnight, Danny Ashe.”

All the attention and tender words were more than enough to make the little hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. She wanted to believe, oh, she wanted to believe, but how? It was unbelievable that Danny would be attracted to her. It was unnatural, unsettling. Her instincts told her to beware: the whole “too good to be true” thing. Life’s equilibrium was being set off balance.

How could she accept his compliments or express her crush on him when she doubted his sincerity? Being on the lookout for an ambush was not an idyllic condition for romance.