Chapter 2
Never Ever Give Up
Mel could pick a venue that was for sure. The back patio of the Italian restaurant was bricked in Tuscan rock, and the night sky was lit up by little white twinkle lights. It even boasted a small vineyard, that some of the reporters and politicians were meandering around, with wine in hand.
"As your city council member, my job is to solve to problems, and to act as a liaison between the city and the general public. I conduct daily affairs, but also with the future development of the city." Mel was saying. She needed to get this guy to trust her. She'd try to bond with him all night if she had to. She knew sometimes she appeared laid back about her job, but truth was Mel was passionate for state government. And maybe that made her a bit of a nerd, but she loved her job. She loved that she represented others voices. And she didn't that that for granted. "Look, Mr. Fisher, I will work for every person in this city, including you. What is important to you is important to me."
She'd been out her so long; she was sweating down her lower back and between her breasts (bra sweat…gross). As she listened to him, her mind started to wonder… If Joey was here, he'd laugh at the bra sweat joke. There was ping down deep in her stomach, which happened when she thought of Joey. Completely natural, she told herself. They were a boy and a girl. It's just science.
But, sometimes, like now, she wondered what it would be like to just have wild hot steamy sex, right on his kitchen counter. Just to get rid of the crazy sexual tension they had. Just get it over with. Then they'd be passed it. It would be out of their systems. They could go back to being normal.
Mr. Fisher has said something and was waiting for a response. She laughed and hoped that he'd made a joke. Oh thank God that worked!
She started to move on to the next group of people, when she felt the hairs on her arms stand up. Her eyes lifted up up, up, SNAP. She held his gaze, for what feels like forever. Her knees got weak, and she swears she just felt her uterus contract. (I didn't know you could do that, stupid uterus!) It's just physical she reminded herself. Just play it smooth. She smiled at him and rolled her eyes.
Then she headed over to Austin. She really did loved love him. But when she touched him, no sparks. We will develop it. And being the Queen of Denial, she continued to ignore the fact that the chemistry between Joey and her, was completely missing with her boyfriend.
Also labeled under THINGS I WON'T THINK ABOUT was this:
Maybe the love she felt for Austin as her best friend, was confusing her in this relationship.
Maybe she should feel more.
And maybe…just maybe… she should consider the difference between loving somebody, and being in love with somebody.
But Mel Burke did not do the "honesty thing" with herself. It will develop it, she told/lied to herself. Everything is perfect.
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Joey had a date. Somewhere. Last time he saw her, she had been flirting and hanging out with Russell, Mel's father. Joey could care less. He only had eyes for one person.
She was in a beautiful red dress, one of his favorite shades on her, because it made her eyes a shocking blue. Her wavy hair was down as she smiled and schmoozed the couple she was speaking to.
He always loved watching her work. She was very good at her job. And he'd never admit this to her, but it was a job he could never do. And seeing her excel in something where he had a weakness, well… he admired that about her. He didn't get to see this side of her too often. And to be a fly on the wall and watch her do her thing, it was really fun. She threw her head back and laughed exposing that long white neck…and only he knew how tired she was pretending not to be.
She had started to make her rounds again, when she caught Joey's eye. She smiled at him and gave an eye roll. He laughed. Yep, that's his Burke.
Then she walked over to Austin's side. They really did make a beautiful couple. God he hated that.
And on that note, it was time for Joe to go inside and find the bar.
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Mel grabbed Austin's arm. She had been talking non-stop for hours. Her mouth was dry and her feet hurt. But she kept her smile pinned on. It was good Austin was here. The female reporters always addressed the questions to her sexy boyfriend. Normally she'd redirect them, but today, she just wanted a sip of water. Which was why she was only gone for two seconds...(TWO!) and then heard Austin's answer, "Of course she's looking forward to her sister's release. I know she can't wait to be just a regular aunt again." Mel laughed and smiled the right way, but the way she cut a glance at Austin, he knew he had screwed up.
He'd misrepresented and misunderstood her relationship with her niece and nephew.
Again.
Really? That is what he thinks? Seriously?
Mel made her excuses, but the mantra was going on in her head….don't scream, don't scream, don't scream, keep smiling, keep smiling, and find a drink.
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He was on his second when Mel swooshed in stood next to Joe, and she ordered a Vodka. He sat patiently while she kicked it back.
She was standing, so close she brushed his leg with hers. His body radiated warmth, and his overall awesome manly smell. Joey in suit… ugh…it had her body rocking downstairs in way that said 'you are a man and I am a woman.' Stop it! Snap out of it!
"So, he told this reporter, that when Meredith gets out of prison, that I get to be just the aunt again. Like this thing with the kids is, I don't know like I've had them for summer break or something. I don't think he gets it! That I'm a parent! And when you are a parent, you don't stop being a parent! They are not foster dogs I'm feeding a watering until someone adopts them!" She was using big arm movements to prove her point.
"I've raised these kids. I've loved them; I took care of them when they were sick. I've held them when they had nightmares. I've cried with them when they were heartbroken. I'm their support system! And I always will be! Who is Lennox going to want by her side when she graduates? Who is she going to call the night she gets engaged? Who is she going to want in the room when she has her first kid? I mean…" her tirade was slowing down.
"I don't know," She said all deflated and seemed to think deeply. "I guess sometimes I just don't get Austin." She shook her head and then tried to change the subject.
She stared into his beautiful green eyes. She should look away, but she seemed to be melting toward him. He had his scruffy five o'clock shadow going on, and her fingers ached wanting to touch it.
Was she the only one who felt the air between them sizzle?
What was she going to say? Oh yeah, "So… I hear your date was a cheerleader in high school. What's it like to date a cheerleader?"
And he had some smart ass comment almost on his tongue, but it got stuck in his throat, and he almost choked on it. He just can't do it tonight. He just can't. He can't pretend that she isn't the most beautiful woman in the entire world. He can't pretend that doesn't want to grab her hips, sit her on that bar, step between her legs, and rip her dress right over her head, and take her right here.
And he looked at her lips, and he could almost taste them. All he had to do is lean down one inch. One inch is all it would take! He'd never wanted to kiss someone so bad in his entire life.
Her nipples harden, and there is a pull, so low…oh my God, You cannot kiss him in the middle of the bar with your boyfriend outside and…but my God the smell of him is intoxicating!
"Um, well. I better get back outside." He watched her retreat back out to the party. And he had no idea. Was she escaping? Or had she been waiting for him to kiss her?
Damn it, Mel!
It wasn't that she didn't get Austin, it was the opposite…
Austin just didn't get Mel!
Couldn't she see the only other person who could completely understand her complicated relationship with her sister, and parenting her niece and nephew, was Joe! He loved them and he help raised them too! And when Lennox graduated, and had her baby. Guess who else would be there? Him. Didn't she know that? How could she NOT know that!
Well, you never have actually said all that.
Shit!
Okay new plan. Just get her, and tell her everything. Don't over think it. Just go get her. Go!
He had never run so fast in his life. Out the door through the people and reporters. The reporters who were filming, and watching, and smiling.
Then Joe saw what they were watching and what he was interrupting.
Austin was down on one knee, "I know this is sudden, and spur of the moment, I don't even have a ring, but you look so beautiful, and I love of you, so Mel, will you marry me?"
His blood thudding so loud in his ears, he almost didn't hear the revolting "Ahhhs," of the crowd. Say No Mel, please please his silent prayer. Please Mel. Please look at me.
But…it was not meant to be.
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He needed to get back to the bar. Maybe if he drank enough he'd black out, and this horrible night would be erased from his memory.
He had no idea how long or far he'd gotten to that goal, when Russell sat down next to him. "So, I think the cheerleader went off with someone else." But Joe who hadn't even thought of her in hours dismissed it with a wave of his hand.
"What a night," Joe whispered, not sure if he was talking to himself or Russell.
"He is going to make an excellent politician's husband." He leaned over and half whispered the next part. "Told me he proposed, because of all the cameras. Knew it'd keep her name and face in the news."
"That's… great." That's horrible.
"Well, you should be happy. Your friend got engaged."
Drunk Joe took a deep breath and began to reveal more than he ever had to anyone before. "To tell you the truth, I used to have a big thing for Mel."
"Really?" Russell looked at him shocked. "You're kidding me. You and Mel? Wow! I would have never put you together. You really hid it well. God. I usually have radar for stuff like that. You and Mel, huh?"
"Well, she's really funny. And smart. And warm and just…," he sadly shook his head. "Anyway."
"If you like her so much, don't give up." Joey looked at Russell like he'd lost his mind.
"She's engaged." God. He hated saying that sentence. It made his fucking head hurt.
"BFD! Engaged isn't married." Joey thought about arguing, but just rubbed his aching head instead.
Russell tabbed out, but not before, with his hand on Joe's shoulder, he leaned in saying quietly, "Never ever give up."
But it was too late. Anyone could see that.
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It seemed like hours that he sat and listened to buzz outside. Everyone congratulating the happy couple. He was going to order one more drink before he called a taxi.
His cell rang. "Yeah."
"Hey man, sorry I know it's late, but I have a friend, just started a new firm. I told him I knew you and trusted you. He's interested in you. But it's in New York. Buffalo. I know you have this job you love right now. So, I wasn't sure if you'd be interested or not. So…are you interested?"
Joe closed his eyes, and immediately his memory replayed the scene, "Yes I'll marry you, Austin!" And then he kissed her and…
"Yes. Yes, I want the job. Give him my number."
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Author's Notes: Thank you so much for the feedback! BTW the more feedback I get, the faster this stuff spits out. What? No it is NOT a bribe. Let's call it cause and effect : )