Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
“What are you talking about?”
“You never date, remember?” June replies with a scoff. “You don’t like the emotional attachment that comes with it. Being with women for you is a relationship of mutual benefit, and you always make sure the other party knows what to expect from the tango. Now, you’re in Hudson for less than a month, and you’re already talking about doing the things you detest. What changed?”
What changed? Even I have asked myself the same question and haven’t been able to come up with a sane reply.
“I met Melody Hanson, and the rest is inexplicable.”
“Do you love her?” June asks slowly.
I take a few seconds to think about the question, and as usual, my palms clam up, and my chest tightens so painfully I have to rub at the spot where my heart is.
“I... I don’t know,” I mutter.
June snorts.
“Then why are you going through all of these formalities when you aren’t sure of your feelings yet?”
Because I hate the uneasy feeling I get when I think about not having Melody by my side. Because I keep feeling like all of this is a dream. I want to hold onto whatever this is for as long as possible.
“I guess I’m just following my heart,” I say to June, sighing heavily.
“You’re following your heart?” June asks incredulously. “I bet you haven’t thought it through. What happens when you start to think you’ve had enough of her? Or, let’s say on the off chance that you’re truly enthralled with her, what happens when your vacation is over? What happens when you have to return to London? Or England? Or Spain? Or wherever the hell work takes you to? Are you going to uproot her and make her leave her friends and family? You want her to leave everything she’s familiar with and go with you to London? Or are you going to stay there in Hudson forever?”
My heart slowly sinks as it dawns on me that I haven’t thought that far.
As always, June is my reality check, but I wish she’d let me live on in my bubble for a bit longer this time.
Just when I’m about to say something in response, Melody walks down the stairs and everything freezes. My head goes blank... June and the world become inconsequential.
Nothing else matters at this moment except Melody.
My heart does a funny dance at the sight of her.
I thought I’d outgrow racing hearts and belly butterflies, but obviously not.
She looks perfect in a gorgeous red dress that fits perfectly against her curves.
She seems to sparkle from within, radiating so brightly that I’m almost blinded.
Everything from the crown of her curly red hair to her little pinky toe has me spellbound, and I never want to be free from her enchantment.
She’s my dream woman...everything I’ve ever wanted and didn’t know I needed.
“Abe?” June’s voice jerks me to reality. “Are you there? Are you alright?”
“I’ve got to go, June,” I say quickly. “I’ll catch you later.”
“But Abe, I....”
I disconnect the call and smile at Melody standing in front of me, a shy smile playing on her sexy shimmering lips.
“How do I look?” she asks.
I let my eyes roam her body in a deliberately slow, lingering sweep. I return my gaze to her big blue eyes, and she lowers her lids, her cheeks coloring up into a beautiful crimson shade.
It’s cute how she still blushes so hard with just a look from me even after the moments we’ve shared.
“Perfect,” I mutter breathlessly. “You are just perfect.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Melody
I’m nervous.
I hope he doesn’t see how badly I’m quaking in my three-inch strappy heels.
Abram looks handsome and relaxed.
I guess he’s used to places like this.
He’s an experienced man who’s been to the most exquisite restaurants all over the world with beautiful, elegant women of different nationalities. So, being in some three-star restaurant in Hudson with plain Melody Hanson is a piece of cake for him.
But for me, everything’s a first.
I’ve never been to a fancy restaurant with an incredibly handsome man who seems to be the center of attention.
I’m freaking out.
I can’t help but feel like everyone in the restaurant is staring at us. I could almost hear the wheels turning in their heads.
I can see them huddling closer to whisper among themselves as they make comparisons.
Why’s a man like him with a woman like her?
Then Abram smiles at me, and nothing else matters except him. Right here, at this moment, he’s mine. It doesn’t matter for how long. All that matters are the memories we’re making right now.
“Did you enjoy your meal?” Abram asks, smiling into my eyes.
“I did,” I say, my lips pulling up in a smile. “The oyster sauce tasted so good, and I thought I’d get a foodgasm when I tasted the truffle they served for dessert.”
Abram laughs.
“What the heck is foodgasm?”
I joined in his laughter, shaking my head at him.