Take Two (The Jilted Bride #1)(42)

“Not even in high school?”

“My parents didn’t allow me to date,” I laughed at the memory. “They even made me go to prom alone. What about you? Is Selena your first serious engagement?”

“I’ve never been seriously engaged, but before Selena there was my old publicist, Lisa.”

“What happened?”

“Turns out that whole ‘never mix business with pleasure’ thing is true. If we had an argument she wouldn’t book me for crucial appearances. So in return, I wouldn’t show up to some of the things she promised to her client friends. It was really messy. I fired her and we broke up.”

“What about Joan? She’s really pretty…”

“She is really pretty,” I could sense him smiling. “Joan is also completely professional and not attracted to me at all.”

“How do you know?”

“Whenever I’m drunk she tells me all the things she hates about me. And she told me she isn’t attracted to me.”

I laughed. “Was there anyone serious before Lisa?”

“Not really, unless you want a detailed list of models and groupies.”

“I’m okay,” I rolled my eyes.

“Is red your natural hair color?”

We didn’t get off the phone until five o’ clock. I wasn’t tired though, I was running off adrenaline.

The next few days at work, I cruised through my assigned books and films. I was excited about spending my nights talking to Matt on the phone.

On Thursday night, we spoke until six o’clock. The only reason we stopped was because he needed to board a plane back to New York and Joan wanted to prep him for an interview.

When we hung up, I did something I’d never done in my six years of working at The New York Appeal: I called in sick. My adrenaline had run out.

I woke up around noon and played my voice mails.

“Melody, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re sick,” Mr. Maxwell’s voice was soft. “Let me know if you need anything. Call or text me when you get this.”

“Mel! I finally finished my thesis!” Jenn screamed. “Me and my friend Josh are going out to the bar tonight. Five dollar jumbo jello shots if you’re interested! I’ll buy you two!”

“Miss Carter, I’ll have the books from your office sent over to you for the weekend. Feel better soon,” Sophie sounded really concerned.

“Hey Melody,” Matt’s voice was a whisper. “Your assistant said you were out sick so I’m assuming we’ll need to reschedule our date? Call me back when you can and I hope you feel better.”

I remembered why I never called in. I sucked at lying and people worried too much.

I called Mr. Maxwell back first, telling him that I’d definitely be back to work on Monday. I turned down Jenn and her jumbo-jello shots, but promised I would take her out to celebrate next week. I thanked Sophie for her hard work and let her know she didn’t need to send those books.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to call Matt. He mentioned that he had another busy day ahead of him and I didn’t want to interrupt.

As much fun as I’d had talking to him the past couple of nights, I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to come over.

I was scared he was starting to get close, and I was developing feelings for him.

I sent him a text: “I’m okay. Yeah, I may not be up to a date tonight. Raincheck?”

I grabbed a bag of cheese puffs from the kitchen and slouched on my sofa. It was time to turn my brain off and watch reality TV.

Matt texted me back two hours later: “Would you like me to cook you some soup?”

I watched an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians before responding: “No, I’m okay. Thanks though :-)”

He immediately texted back: “What are you doing?”

If I texted back too soon, he would think I wasn’t doing anything and then he would probably try to come over. I watched another episode before texting him again: “Watching Kim K. shop for a dress. You?”

He texted back: “Standing outside your door.”

Shit!

I ran into the bathroom and pulled out my blow dryer. I held it over my forehead for half a minute. Then I held it over my chest. I took out some Vicks Vapor rub and rubbed it under my nose and onto my neck. I pulled my hair into a sloppy bun and splashed hot water into my eyes.

I threw on some silk pajamas and fastened my robe. I held the blow dryer on my forehead for another minute and rushed to the door.

“I said you didn’t have to cook me any soup,” I glared at him.

“That’s why I bought some instead,” he shook a brown paper bag. “What’s wrong with you exactly?”

“Are you a doctor now?”

“I played one once.”

I tried not to laugh. “I have a fever and um…it’s kind of hard for me to breathe.”

“So you got sick between six and eight this morning?”

“I’ve been feeling kind of bad for the past few days. It just got worse today.”

“What’s the blow dryer for?”

Chapter 20

Matt

“Ummm,” she looked around the room. “Um I—”

I stopped her with a kiss. “You’re a horrible actress. Is that Vicks Vapor rub on your face?”