Page 34 of Frozen Hearts

“I don’t know what you mean,” Willow smirked. River gave her an unamused look.

“Fine. My mom is going to be staying with me for a while.”

“What? Why? Your mom drives you crazy,” River offered.

“Trust me I’m aware. But she needs somewhere to stay. I can’t just throw my mom out on the streets,” Willow suggested. River only shook her head.

“This sort of thing only happens to you,” River teased.

“Oh, I know.” Willow rubbed her face with her hands.

“Enough about Angela. How did things go with Mel?” River asked.

Willow’s mind flashed through her night with Mel, it was a blur of activity.

“It was nice,” Willow said. She hoped that just this once River would leave well enough alone.

“Nice?” River questioned with an arched eyebrow.

“I’m still processing,” Willow whined.

“Can’t you at least give me some highlights?” River pleaded.

“Dinner was good, my Mom is living with me now which caused a bit of a stall, phone sex for the first time, then I went over to her place for actual sex, I’m making her dinner tonight,” Willow answered nodding her head.

“That is a lot to process,” River admitted with a casual grin.

“See? And you know new things put me off kilter.”

“Okay. Okay. But you like her, right?” River teased.

“No, I hate her,” Willow laughed. River shook her head and gave a pained sigh.

“Of course, I like her. I’m seeing her again tonight,” Willow said after a pause.

“But how much do you like her?”

“I don’t know yet. I’m still trying to figure out where she fits.”

“That’s fair, it’s only the first official date,” River said. She reached out and gave Willow a solid pat on the shoulder.

“You should invite her to come to Piper’s place for our next dinner party,” River suggested.

“Do you think Piper would mind?”

“I think we both know Piper would be overjoyed,” River said, her words genuine.

Willow pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Mel. She hoped that the invitation wasn’t too forward. Her phone buzzed half a minute later with a text from Mel. Willow felt her chest tighten as she clicked to read the message.

“Well, what does she say?” River asked.

“She says that she’d love to come,” Willow grinned.

“See, I told you. I think Mel is a good fit for you.”

“I hope so,” Willow admitted. River gave her another pat of the shoulder.

“I’m going to get out of here before your Mom tries to make me do yoga.” River wrinkled her nose in distaste.