Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

MELODY

He handed me my phone back. “I’ll text you after I get out of the studio. At least let me take you out to dinner, or I can make you dinner. What do you say?”

“I say you are crazy. But fine.” I knew he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

He smiled wide, showing off his dimples. “Good. I will see you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“But you still don’t want to admit you like me?” he teased.

“Go before I change my mind.”

He stepped off the porch, and he watched as I entered my house.

My cheeks were hurting from I was smiling like a schoolgirl. When I entered my house, I let out a squeal. I grabbed my phone to see if I had any texts, and I had several in our group chat.

Hope you got laid. Oh my God, Aiden Mills.

-Alyssa.

Hey! Heard you were the singer of Royal Whiskey. Is that true?

-Iris texted.

Ummm, we need details when you get home.

-Elena.

An hour later, another text came through.

She hasn’t texted back, I bet she is getting laid.

-Alyssa said.

Even though they were probably in bed by now, I texted them back.

I did not get laid for your information. But Aiden did ask me on a date tomorrow.

Stop it!

-Alyssa texted.

What’s he like?

-Iris asked.

You guys are ridiculous.

Well, it’s not every day that a country singer and his band arrive in Lockridge. Did you at least kiss?

-Alyssa

I chewed on my bottom lip before texting back.

Yes, and yes it was amazing.

I knew it!

-Alyssa responded

Go Melody!

-Iris cheered.

Woot! Woot!

She added.

Okay. I am going to bed now. Goodnight.

Sweet dreams.

- Alyssa said.

Night!

-Iris responded.

I tossed my phone aside and stripped out of my clothes. Since tomorrow, er today was New Year’s Day, the bookstore would be closed for the holiday. I didn’t have to worry about working, and I could sleep in. After taking a quick shower, I slipped into bed, not believing today actually happened.

The sun filtered through my curtains, causing my eyes to squint open. I turned my head to look at the clock, and it said it was after noon. Damn, I really was out late. And yesterday hadn’t been a dream after all.

I got out of bed and headed straight to my coffee pot. It might be after noon, but I still needed my caffeine to function.

Not knowing when Aiden will text me, if he really will even, I get started on my weekly cleaning. Being that the house was so small, I could get it cleaned in about two hours.

My phone rang just as I was finishing up cleaning.

“Hey, Alyssa!” I answered after seeing her name register on my phone.

“Hey! So, Aiden kissed you last night?”

“He did. More than once too.”

“Damn! You lucky bitch. Did he tell you why the band is here?”

“Yeah, they wanted to get away from Nashville to record their second album.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Are you going to see him again, you said he asked you on a date? Ooh my God, just imagine, you could become his girlfriend.”

“He did ask me on a date for today. And let’s not get ahead of ourselves, I am trying to be realistic here, he isn’t staying here permanently. It could never work.”

“Pul-lease!” Alyssa dragged out. “Nashville is only a five-hour drive, so it could totally work.”

“And they tour, so they aren’t always in Nashville.”

“Well, I am rooting for you and living vicariously through you since my love life is pretty non-existent.”

I laughed. “Well, don’t get your hopes up too high.”

“You are such a downer, woman. Even if it doesn’t last, how many women can say they were with the lead singer of Royal Whiskey?”

“Are you serious?”

She laughed. “Never mind, don’t answer that.”

“Exactly. I’ll just be another notch in his belt.”

“Somehow, I don’t believe that. I saw the way he was looking at you at the bar, and it wasn’t a guy looking for a one-time fling.”

My phone pinged, letting me know I had a message. “Well, I got to go, just got a message from him.”

“Okay. Talk to you later. Let’s meet for lunch tomorrow or the next day, okay.”

“Okay. See you.”

“Bye. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” I heard her laugh.

“Funny. Bye.”

Laughing, I shook my head at her as I checked the message he sent.

Picking you up in one hour. Making you dinner at the house.

-Aiden

I see this is once again a demand and not a question. LOL

-Me

Not risking you saying no. Now get ready.

-Aiden

I hadn’t thought about what I would wear until now. Ugh. After a quick shower, I opened my closet and sifted through my clothes. I wasn’t the most trendy woman out there. But I grabbed a pair of dark wash jeans, a white off-the-shoulder, button up top, and put on a pair of suede, wedge ankle booties.

There wasn’t much to do with my hair since it was straight and right at my shoulders. As far as makeup went, I applied a light color of eyeshadow, then coated my lashes with mascara, added blush to my cheeks, and enhanced my lips with a pink stain tint.

True to his word, he arrived exactly one hour later as I heard his motorcycle roar. I walked to my door, waiting for him to knock.

He knocked, I took a deep breath and pulled the door open.

“Hey!” He wore a perfect smile.

“Hi!”

“These are for you.” He handed me a bouquet of flowers.

“These are beautiful. Come in while I put them in a vase.” I held the door open so he could pass through.

He immediately looked around. “You have a nice little place here.”

“Thanks.”

I reached for a vase in one of the cabinets, added some water, then placed the flowers inside. I placed the bouquet in the center of my kitchen island.

“Thank you for these. I love flowers.”

“You’re welcome.” He gave me a look over. “You look beautiful.” My cheeks heated.

“Thanks. You’re a charmer.”

I pulled on my leather jacket as we headed out into the brisk air, and he handed me the same helmet I used previously. Nervousness settled in my stomach, and I hoped that’s all it was because I forgot to eat today.

Once on the motorcycle, I wrapped my arms around Aiden’s waist and felt how muscular his body was. I still couldn’t fathom what he would want with a small-town girl like me.

We rode to the other side of town and arrived at the house just as it got dark. He adjusted the motorcycle as I swung my leg over to get off. I unhooked the helmet and placed it on the seat.