Best Friends (New Species #15)(31)

Snow had actually attempted to talk her into just moving in with him, but she’d needed to go home to think on that further. That was a life-changing decision, not one to make before weighing the pros and cons.

She knew she was already falling in love with Snow. No one had ever made her feel as much as he did. It was as if she had no barriers against him to protect her heart. She’d been sorely tempted to throw caution to the wind by agreeing. To live with him sounded wonderful.

It was also crazy. She was aware of that. Who moved in with a guy after one night?

No one. Which meant she needed to go home. Plus, the diner would reopen soon. She had bills to pay, and Joel would have a fit if she just up and quit without notice. That would be a crappy thing to do to the man who had given her a job when she’d first moved into town. He depended on her and Mary the most. Everyone else only worked at the diner part time.

The night she’d spent with Snow had been remarkable. He made her laugh, the sex had been the best thing ever, and sleeping in his arms…nothing had felt so right before. Even waking up next to him had felt incredible. That would likely have been because Snow was going down on her when she woke. He’d gotten her off and then made love to her.

That’s what she called it. It wasn’t just sex. He made eye contact with her constantly, touched her as if she were precious to him, and made sure she always got off before he did.

It had been lonely and depressing to sleep in her bed the night before in comparison. She also really needed to get a cell phone. Snow had wanted to call her. She’d been embarrassed to admit he could only reach her at the diner. If she had to be away from him, she at least wanted to hear his voice.

Only a day had passed, and she missed him and couldn’t get him out of her thoughts. What was he doing at that moment? Was he thinking about her? Missing her, too?

“Earth to Mel,” Mary said, startling her.

She looked at her best friend. “Sorry.”

“Let me guess. Snow?”

She nodded.

“It would be insane to say yes to moving in with a man after one night of sex, Mel.” Her friend grinned though. “Even if he’s some super-stud. He really got you off that many times?”

Mel nodded again, almost regretting sharing some of the intimate details with her best friend. She’d wanted Mary’s advice, though, and she had to be totally honest to make her understand why she was so torn about not staying at Reservation to live with Snow.

“Spend your off days with him. Take time to get to know him better. I’ll fully support you if you want to move in with Snow after a few months.”

“How long did you date your ex before you let him move into your place?”

Mary grumbled. “A week. See how bad that turned out?”

“He was a cheater though.”

“And you don’t know what kind of guy Snow really is until you date him longer. Learn from my mistakes.”

Mel bit her lip. “Snow is not just any guy, Mary. He’s a New Species. That makes him pretty different.” She held her best friend’s gaze. “Do you know what my last thought was before I drifted off to sleep with him?”

Mary shook her head.

“I’m right where I belong. I didn’t want to leave him, either. It was hard saying goodbye. I wanted to climb right back into that vehicle and have him take me back with him. I miss his already and can’t stop thinking about him.”

Mary frowned. “Don’t jump into something until you get a better idea of exactly what you’re getting into. That feeling was probably caused by hormones or endorphins after all that great sex. Or is it euphoria? Whatever. I’m trying to look out for you. That’s what besties do. Now…the lunch crowd should come in soon. Is it okay with you if I take my break first?”

“Sure.”

Mel watched her disappear into the kitchen and went to work checking to make sure all the tables, the counters, and seats had been wiped clean. There was never a large rush for lunch at the diner during the week, but sometimes they’d get about thirty people. In a small town, that seemed like a lot.

The door opened, and the Nelson couple came in with their two small children. She got them seated in a corner booth, gave the kids crayons with a few coloring pages to keep them occupied, and fetched their drinks. Hal, from the post office, arrived next.

Within five minutes more of the seats filled with other employees from local businesses. Mel was glad when Mary returned, helping her pass out their food and refill drinks.

Another regular customer showed up outside the diner, supported by crutches, trying to get the glass door open. Her foot and lower leg were in a medical boot.

Mel rushed forward. “What happened to you, Mitzy?” She held the door open wide.

“My shoelaces snagged on the bottom of the seat while getting out of my truck and I fell out, believe it or not.”

Mel helped her get settled at the counter, since a barstool would be easier to sit on than tangling with a bench seat. “I’m so sorry.” Her gaze inspected the woman. “Is it sprained?”

“I fractured my ankle. That’s what the doctor said. I feel stupid.”

“You shouldn’t.”

“I was talking on my cell and not paying attention. Then I was on my ass on the pavement, in pain. I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it when it happened evening before last.”