Carly looked away from the TV to glance at the clock again. It was almost 1pm. Having made a decision about her love life, she was initially nervous when she had returned home to the apartment she shared with her best friend. After finding her best friend still completely knocked out in her bed, however, she had felt slightly relieved. Her nerves had begun to get the better of her as she did little things around the apartment; picking up dirty clothes, washing dishes, and finally fixing a small breakfast for Sam so perhaps the other girl would be slightly distracted by bacon when Carly broke the news to her. But now, 4 hours later, Carly's nervousness had slowly but surely grown into annoyance.
The brunette once again turned to look at the clock. Sighing, she reached for her cell phone and quickly sent a text to Melanie, asking if they could talk. As she waited for the reply, her nerves began to override her anger again. Carly stared so intently at the phone that she was startled when it began buzzing a few minutes later. Picking it up reluctantly, she checked her texts to reveal Melanie's reply. The blonde haired object of her affection had suggested they meet for lunch in a half an hour.
The former web host pondered how she should reply. She glanced at the hallway her best friend seemed determined not to emerge from and sighed. Quickly typing back a response she flipped off the TV and grabbed her coat. She had just about a half an hour to figure out how to say what she was feeling to the other woman.
The 10 minute car ride was spent thinking of ways to begin the conversation, but every half formed idea was quickly thrown out. Once parked outside the restaurant she hoped she could use the remaining 15 to 20 minutes before Melanie's arrival to organize her thoughts.
Her hopes were dashed when she entered the restaurant and found the blonde haired beauty already seated in a quite corner. She groaned, completely unprepared for this discussion, but made her way over to the table nonetheless. When Carly sat down, Melanie looked up with a gentle smile, but her blue eyes revealed the sadness she was trying to bury inside.
"I ordered you a peppy cola. I hope that's okay." Melanie said softly.
Carly nodded but was having trouble forming words. Carly was struggling to deal with the obvious sadness the shorter girl was trying to hide. Reality hit the brunette like a bucket of ice cold water. She hadn't realized how much the other girl felt for her, and was just now grasping the fact that she had really hurt Melanie last night.
"I'm sorry." The weight of Carly's guilt forced the words out before she realized it.
"For what?" Melanie glanced up from the menu she was now surveying.
"For everything last night." Carly picked up her menu and began to scan it as she struggled to respond. Her eyes now glued to the menu, Carly missed the pained look that flashed on her companion's face.
"It's alright. You don't have to be sorry." Melanie responded, and Carly sighed in relief. "I understand. I shouldn't have taken last night for more than it was. I know it wasn't really as big a deal for you; I mean I've always known how you felt about Sam, but I figured maybe…"
As the blonde trailed off, Carly looked up in shock. Apparently, as Shelby had said, her feelings for her best friend were obvious to everyone, excluding herself and said best friend. Then as realization kicked in, Carly stared horrified at the woman across the table from her. Melanie thought she was apologizing for taking her on the date. She rushed to clarify before the blonde could continue.
"I meant for leaving. I'm sorry for leaving without explaining or saying goodbye. Not for the date. The date was amazing. Beyond amazing! I mean, geez, I hope ALL of our dates are like that. I just meant I shouldn't have left so abruptly! I never thought that you'd think I was apologizing for taking you –" Carly's long winded exclamation was interrupted.
"Wait, 'all of our dates'? As in you want more? I'm so confused. I thought you wanted to talk so you could, you know, let me down gently." Melanie said with a puzzled but hopeful expression on her face.
"Well yeah, I was hoping there'd be more." Carly blushed. "You know, if you're still willing to give me a chance after last night."
Melanie's face lit up, her blue eyes shining like clear Caribbean water reflecting a brilliantly shining sun. Despite her elation at the unexpected turn of events, she decided to continue cautiously.
"So what exactly are saying?" The blonde asked softly.
Carly's face flushed. Not trusting herself to reply without rambling or spouting out complete nonsense, she simply leaned over the table and kissed the other women lightly on the lips. Melanie's eyes fluttered close as she savored the contact. Melanie let out a small hum of pleasure but pulled back gently.
"As great as that is, it's not a clear answer. I need you to tell me you want this, I'm not gonna make your decision for you. If you want to give us a chance, I'd be ecstatic, but I need to hear you say that that's what you want. Cause if you want Sam…" Melanie trailed off looking down. Taking a deep breath she continued, "if you want her, I understand. But please let me know now. Please don't lead me on."
As if the waiter could tell Carly need an interruption, he appeared beside the table to get the two young women's orders. Carly thanked the waiter silently for his good timing, deciding he'd earned a decent tip.
After both women had given their orders, they sat in an awkward silence, both unsure what to say. Realizing that Melanie was waiting on her for a response Carly glanced at her hands and began to speak.
"I've spent the last few years wishing I could take that next step with Sam; telling myself that if I just only had the opportunity…" She sighed, taking a sip of her peppy cola before continuing, "and now I have it, and all I can think is that I'd be making a huge mistake if I didn't take a chance with you."
Melanie looked about to respond, but the food arrived, effectively cutting her off. As the server placed their food on the table Carly took the opportunity to study Melanie's face, trying to read the other girls emotions. When the waiter finally disappeared again, Carly looked down and continued before Melanie could speak.
"I honestly don't know what I want anymore. I came here thinking I did. I mean I know I want to see what could happen between us, but this thing with Sam." Agitated with her confusion and inner turmoil, Carly poked at her food with her fork.
"It's just that I feel…I mean Sam is…" Sighing in frustration Carly dropped her fork and looked up directly into Melanie's startlingly blue eyes. "I like you Melanie. I like you a lot. And I want to give you a chance; I want to give us a chance. I just need to talk to Sam first. I need to figure out…"
Carly trailed off no longer sure what to say. She picked her fork up and began to slowly eat her food. She was surprised a few moments later when she felt warmth encompass her hand.
"Take whatever time you need. Talk to Sam. I'll still be here, just…don't leave me hanging."
Melanie smiled at the brunette softly before releasing her hand and turning her attention back to her own food. Carly, on the other hand, was still stunned by Melanie's statement. She wasn't sure what she had done to earn the affection of such an understanding woman, but she was grateful. Carly eventually turned her attention back to her food as well and the two women continued the meal in a comfortable silence. It wasn't quite what Carly had had in mind for the meeting, but she was content with the results. Now she only had to talk to Sam…
