As the day progressed, Melissa found herself in awkward situations. Numerous times she felt Nick�s eyes on her and it sent chills down her spine. It took everything in her to control herself. She wanted to run and hide in her room. Melissa didn�t want to face her future and whoever was in it.
The day turned into night and everyone had changed out of their suits. Melissa watched the sunset slowly as a sense of warmth filled her.
�Hey Mel, can we go for a walk? I want to ask you something.� Gavin asked as he approached her.
�Yeah, sure.� They walked off the porch and onto the grass. �What did you want to talk about?�
�I have wanted to ask you this for awhile, but I haven�t had the courage.� Gavin stated clearing his throat. �Would you like to go on a date with me tonight?�
�Gavin.�
�I know what you are thinking Mel. We are friends and you don�t want to risk that. But trust me, I won�t let that happen. Your friendship means so much to me.�
�Gavin, I lost one friend because I entered that territory. I don�t know if I can do that again.�
�Mel, I know what happened with Nick. I listened to you cry over him, telling me how much it hurt you to see him cheat on you. I can�t change that, no matter how much I wish I could take that pain away. But you have to remember that I�m not Nick. I would never hurt you.� Gavin caressed her cheek. His touch was warm and soothing. �I see this strong, independent, and beautiful woman that you are. But you keep your heart so protected from everything and everyone. Give me a chance to open your heart again.�
Melissa stood there not knowing what to say. At first it was so clear in her head; she wasn�t ready to date anyone right now. She needed to focus on her family and herself. But after hearing what Gavin had said, it had changed her mind.
She smiled up at him. �I love to go on a date with you Gavin.�
A huge grin appeared on his face. �You won�t regret it Mel. We will have so much fun.�
�I know we will.� She gave him a quick hug.
Nick watched them embrace and his heart dropped. He turned away and took a deep breath. He wasn�t going to give up, he lost her once. It wasn�t going to happen again. He gradually joined Brian and Samantha trying to forget what he saw.
Gavin walked over to Jenny once he saw Melissa talking to her mother and her Aunt Rachel.
�I asked.�
�And?� Jenny asked.
�She said yes.�
�Perfect, I will not let that jerk hurt my cousin again.�
�I don�t want that to happen either, Jen. Mel has been through enough.�
�Exactly, so your date has to be perfect.� Jenny tried to think of an idea for their date. A thought came to her and she smiled. �I know where you can take her.�
�Hey Mel, we are leaving.� Brian, Samantha, and Nick joined her and her mother.
�Thank you for coming. I hope you had fun.� Kathleen stated.
�We did, thank you for inviting us.� Samantha added with a smile.
�Mel, can I talk to you for a moment?� Samantha asked.
�Yeah.�
�Head out to the car, I�ll be there shortly.� She told Nick and Brian. They left, leaving them alone. �Are you okay?�
Melissa looked at her best friend. �What do you mean?�
�I know you pretty well and I can tell when something is bothering you.�
�Well then you should know what my problem is.�
�Nick?�
Melissa nodded her head, brushing back her hair. �Then add Gavin.�
�Do you like Gavin?�
�I don�t know Sam. I really don�t know. I am so lost on how I feel.�
�I�m so sorry Mel. This is the last thing you need.�
�You can say that, but I�m tired of hiding. I need to deal with all of this, somehow.�
�Why don�t we have a girls� night tonight? We can rent movies and pig out on junk food.� Samantha said wrapping her arm through Melissa�s.
�I would love that, but I can�t do it tonight. I have a date.�
�With Gavin?� She asked as they entered the house, slowly walking to the front door.
�Yup, what am I going to do Sam?� Melissa asked resting her head against Samantha�s.
�You are going to go and have fun. Don�t worry about anything or anyone. Just have fun and then see how you feel.�
�Thanks Sam.�
�Not a problem. Do you hear that?� Melissa stopped and listened.
�That sounds like my cousin and�Nick.� Melissa quickly exited her house and Samantha was close behind.
�Stay away from my cousin. All you have done is caused her pain!� Jenny yelled at Nick.
�You don�t get to decide what I do, Jenny. You can�t make me stay away from her.�
�I can try. I will do whatever I can to stop you.�
�You don�t make Mel�s decisions.�
�That�s right.� Melissa appeared and stood in between them. She looked at Jenny, then Nick, and back to Jenny. �I make my own decisions. Now who wants to tell me what the hell is going on?�
�Jenny wants me to stay away from you.�
�I have good reason why I want you away from Mel.�
�ENOUGH! I can take care of myself.� Melissa sighed. She was tired of all of this. She felt like she was back in high school all over again. �I have more important things to worry about instead of this petty fight.� Melissa started to walk away.
�You�re right Mel. You have to get ready for your date with Gavin.� Melissa stopped and held her breath. She knew Jenny did that on purpose. Jenny wanted to make Nick hurt and she knew that was the way, to let Nick know that she was going on a date with Gavin. Melissa wasn�t going to hide it but she didn�t want Nick to find out this way.
Nick felt a sharp pain in his heart. She has a date with Gavin. No, she told me that she couldn�t make any decisions right now. But she decided to go out with him. Damn it, I�m losing her.
�Mel?�
She turned and faced him.
�You are going out with Gavin?�
�Yes, Nick I am.� Samantha stood there, feeling bad for both her friends. She had to do something and quick.
�Brian, we need to go or I�ll be late for work.� She turned and hugged Melissa. �Call me later, okay?� Melissa nodded and let her go. Brian, Samantha, and finally Nick got into the car. Melissa watched the car pull out of the driveway and disappeared.
�You are unbelievable.� She said to her cousin who had a huge grin on her face.
�What did I do?�
�Jen, you know what you did. You did that on purpose to hurt Nick.�
�I told the truth.�
�You didn�t have to say it in front of Nick. You just want to see him in pain.�
�Is that so bad? Mel, thanks to him I watched you in pain daily. It is about time he gets a dose of his own medicine.�
�Go home Jenny.� Melissa walked away, but Jenny yelled to her.
�Are you mad at me?�
Melissa walked back over to her. �Yes, I am. You aren�t helping Jenny, you are making things worse. So if you won�t back off then leave.�
�FINE!� Jenny got into her car and left.
Two pair of eyes watched from the window in the kitchen. �Wow, that didn�t turn out well.� Rachel stated to Kathleen.
�Do you see why I�m worried about Mel? She has so much on her plate and she doesn�t know what to do.�
�Mel is strong, she�ll get through this.�
�What if she doesn�t? Then what?� Kathleen asked facing her sister.
�What are you really worried about Kat?�
�I worried that my daughter will leave and never come back.�
