Page 13 of Frozen Hearts

It wasn’t the start of a lifetime friendship. But it would do. They were on speaking terms which was already an improvement. Mel moved back to her table in undeniably high spirits.

Chapter 6

Willow hated the feeling of being torn. Give her a definite answer on either side, rather than the feeling of being torn between two. But that was exactly how she felt. She was torn between her desire to make Mel into a villain, and her desire to like Mel. For better or worse, Mel had come to her to make peace. And Willow had agreed. There was no reason why the two of them couldn’t get along. No reason, except, that Willow found Mel to be a little too much. Mel was a little too attractive, a little too friendly, and a little too irresistible.

Willow’s mind had been racing during her conversation with Mel. But her mind was nothing compared to the rest of her body. Her palms were still sweaty and her mouth still felt dry. Mel was tall and athletic, she obviously worked out. There was something painfully endearing about Mel. Now, she was back at the table with her friends, but her eyes continued to find Mel.

Willow was vaguely aware of her friend’s conversation, but she was effectively zoned out. Mel was at her table talking to her friends. Willow was taken in by the way Mel’s whole face lit up when she smiled. She wished that she had spent more timebringing out Mel’s smile. Willow shook the thought away. What did Mel’s smile mean to her?

“Willow. Willow.” River’s voice broke through Willow’s thoughts, bringing her back to the present.

“What?” Willow hissed with a little more frustration than she intended.

“If you stare any harder at Mel you’re going to make your head explode,” River retorted back. Willow knew that she had likely been too harsh with her friend. She softened her face.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Willow replied. Piper twirled a strand of her dark hair on a finger.

“I think she’s saying that you’re staring that girl down like she’s the last life raft off a deserted island,” Piper teased. All of her friends laughed. Willow rolled her eyes.

“Oh please, we can barely stand one another.”

“Sure. If you say so,” Autumn laughed.

“I find her insufferable,” Willow insisted.

“Of course you do,” River laughed.

“You guys are the worst,” Willow scowled.

“We don’t mean any harm. It’s just that you’re clearly attracted to this woman,” Autumn suggested.

“Well, sure. Someone can be attractive and annoying at the same time. Two things can be true,” Willow suggested.

Her friends paused for a moment, considering her words. Willow was grateful for the reprieve. From across the room Mel laughed at something one of her friends said, the sound traveled to Willow’s ears and she looked at the woman again. This time Mel turned and met Willow’s eyes. There was something soft in Mel’s blue eyes, they drew Willow in. For a long moment they held their eye contact before each slowly disengaged to continue talking to their friends.

When Willow turned she found all of her friends quietly staring at her. River raised an eyebrow and nodded her head in the direction of Mel’s table. Willow scoffed.

“Can I not make eye contact with someone without it being seen as sexy?” Willow asked defensively.

“Friend. In all our years of friendship you’ve never once looked at me that way,” Piper giggled.

“Maybe I just do it when your back is turned,” Willow suggested with a coy smile.

“Listen. All we’re saying is that it’s clear that there’s more going on with your feelings for Mel than simple annoyance,” River said.

“Maybe there is. But the annoyance certainly trumps whatever else might be there,” Willow grinned. She glanced at her phone.

“I’ve got to go back to work,” Willow said with a groan. She gave her friends hugs and left the table.

There was a part of her that was happy to be leaving. Willow didn’t think she had it in her to handle any more of their scrutiny over her feelings for Mel. Sure Mel was beautiful but that didn’t mean Willow wanted to date the woman. Mel looked up as Willow walked by and smiled. Willow felt her face turn hot. She gave Mel a small smile of her own on her way out. Willow tucked a strand of her red hair behind her ear.

She counted herself lucky to have a job where she was able to work from home three days a week. Sushi greeted her excitedly at the door. Willow bent down to give the dog a scratch behind the ears. Sushi rolled over to his back in a bid for tummy rubs. With his cute upside down face Willow couldn’t deny Sushi affection. Willow walked over to the couch and called the dog to her. Sushi curled up next to her on the couch.

“You aren’t going to believe what happened during lunch,” Willow began. Sushi turned his head to look at her expectantly.

“It turns out that Mel works at the cafe that Autumn suggested we meet at,” Willow explained.

“It was awkward as usual but at least she didn’t knock me down this time.” Sushi groaned and stretched out.