Chapter 1

MELANIE

I was in deep trouble. Glancing down at my wrist watch, I winced at how late it was. I was supposed to meet Trish at Starbucks about forty five minutes ago, but I'd been too engrossed in my writing to remember that we had agreed to meet up for lunch.

Increasing my pace and stretching my legs as far as they could go, I tried to think of a good excuse. I could tell her that I'd forgotten but that would just leave her disappointed. In the end, I decided to go with the truth. Trish knew me too well for her to believe any of the stories that I would make up.

She was my only friend.

I wasn't even kidding. I could count the number of people interacted with in just one hand. See, I wasn't the social type. I wish I could say that it was because of one trauma that I'd passed through to at least excuse my behavior, but sadly it wasn't.

I just didn't like people. End of story.

Pausing for a few seconds to catch my breath, I pushed the door to the café open and tried to stealthily walk in. The door closed behind me with a light click just as I began taking inventory of my surroundings. I crossed my fingers behind my back, praying that I'd be the first to show up for some reason.

No such luck.

My heart stopped beating for a moment as I locked eyes with Trish sitting at a corner in the room. I let out a slow quiet breath and began heading for her.

"I cannot believe that you would have the nerve to be this late, Mel," She semi scolded before my ass could even touch the seat. I dropped my clutch on the table, pushing a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. I stared at her, trying to decipher how upset she was. "Especially, since I know for a fact that you've been Indoors all day."

Her brown eyes flashing with hurt, she folded her hands in front of her chest, probably waiting for me to give her an explanation. Just as I opened my mouth, the waiter walked up to us to get our orders.

"I know my behavior is inexcusable and I'm so sorry," I said after the waiter was gone, with as much sincerity and remorse as I could. "Truth is, I was writing and I didn't know that it was that late."

Well, it was partly the truth. I'd found out about fifteen minutes before I left the house that I was late but I hadn't been able to bring myself to stopping.

I'm horrible, I know.

A sigh escaped her mouth. Her lip glossed lips came together in a graceful pout that I could never pull off. "I don't want to be upset with you," She confessed, digging into her food. "But that doesn't mean that I support this much seclusion. There's a world out there for you to explore."

I lifted my drink to my lips, already getting tired of the conversation. Trish didn't like the fact that I was such a recluse and she made sure to tell me whenever she could. She just didn't understand that it wasn't that it. And she couldn't, because I didn't quite understand it myself.

"How's Luc?" I asked, trying to change the subject. Luc was her boyfriend. They'd been together for about a year and half. He was one of the limited number of people that I could talk to. I expected Trish to quickly start talking about him because he was that much of a distraction to her. Unfortunately, she saw right through my bullshit.

Her eyebrows arched meaningfully. "Don't you dare try to change the subject right now," Her face showed displeasure.

"Are you saying I don't ask about Luc?" I questioned, picking up my fork. Of course, I was still trying to change the subject, sue me. It didn't feel all that nice to know that you couldn't engage in something that was as easy as breathing to others. It felt even worse having your best friend call you out on it all the time.

She shook her head, pointing her finger at me. "That's not what I'm saying, and you know it. Nice try, Mel." I chuckled at her tone. She was beginning to know me much more than she already does and I didn't even think that was possible.

"Okay, so let's do this then," I stated, finally indulging her. "I'll do whatever you want." I informed her, already regretting my decision.

What are you doing, Melanie?

"Just one thing," I clarified, raising my eyebrows when she practically squealed. "I'll do one stupidly extroverted thing and then you'll get off my back."

I laughed when she let out another squeal. You would think she was a five year old about to get a candy or something. I pushed down the sense of dread I felt when she gave me a sinister look.

Reaching behind her to adjust her ponytail, she smirked almost wickedly. "You are so going to regret this." She stated plainly. I bit my lip, feeling like I'd just walked blindly into a death trap. Into her death trap.

I already do, Trish.

***

As soon as I got back home, I threw my phone and purse on the bed and then jumped on it. You would think that I had been out climbing a mountain with the way that I was exhausted.

Luc had joined us later and then we had all agreed to go out and get some ice cream. Unlike Luc and Trish, because they were so sickeningly obviously in love, I'd been approached. Countless number of times by different guys.

Trust Trish to take us to a placing oozing with testestorone. Apparently, guys could also be attracted to silent and barely cute. Too bad silent and barely cute wasn't attracted to them back.

I changed into a tank top and shorts and quickly put my hair in a bun. Walking to the fridge, I grabbed a bottle of coke as I tried to decide whether or not I should delete the numbers of guys that Trish had apparently saved in my phone.

Kicking against the idea, I stalked the short distance to my computer. I wouldn't put it past Trish to look for the numbers the next time she got her slimy hands on my cellphone.

I turned on the television on my way, giving it my attention when I saw a familiar face on the screen. My heart paused it's beating without my consent.

Damon Trent.

Only the country's youngest bachelor. And probably the hottest male on earth, even I could attest to that. His dark hair stylishly cut, he looked like he'd just stepped out of a male magazine. The kind that dripped masculinity and sex.

If there was anything peculiar about him, it had to be how easy going and laid back he was. He knew the effect he had on women and he wasn't afraid to put it to good use. He was almost always smirking and smiling. Which was probably the first sign that something was wrong because he was without it.

But then, everyone already knew what was wrong. He'd concluded the memorial service for his father just weeks ago. He had died of a heart attack of natural cause. I sat down by the table, staring at the screen.

The interviewer was asking was his next step was now that he'd list his father and if he was still going to continue living in the state.

Give the guy some space, sheesh!

He was obviously still hurting. My phone beeped, signalling an incoming text. I checked it to see Natalie's name on the screen.

Natalie was the third person I talked to other than Luc and Trish. She was my publisher so I couldn't escape talking to her even if I wanted to. We rarely had personal meetings anyways. Our conversations almost always happened on the phone.

I picked up my phone and dialed her number just as she had practically ordered me to.

"You haven't turned in the last chapters of book three yet." Her voice almost echoed in the room the instant she picked up the phone. If I had a problem building relationships with people them Natalie definitely had a problem maintaining the ones she already built.

"I know," I responded, trying not to wince. I didn't like disappointing Natalie. She'd helped me too much in my career for me to let her down. And truth was, she really was a nice person, even though she had a funny way of showing it. "I'm not yet done."

Silence.

And then..

"You're not yet done?" I was a bit surprised she hadn't raised her voice. Then again, her voice was too calm it was definitely going on deadly. "Why aren't you, Mel?"

Good question. Why wasn't I done yet?

I knew the answer to her question even though I didn't like it. I had come to that point in my life where I wanted more. I wasn't exactly sure what it was I wanted but I just knew that I was tired of the constant cycle I seemed to be living in.

I needed something else. My life was almost becoming boring. I tilted my head at my thoughts. Trish was beginning to rub off on me after all.

"Melanie?" Natalie called after I had gone quiet for too long.

I shoved my thoughts to the back of my mind, telling myself I'd deal with them later. "It doesn't matter. I'll turn the chapters in first thing in the morning tomorrow." I promised.

She went quiet for so long I had to check to make sure she was still in the line.

"Are you alright?" She questioned with a bit of concern. I couldn't stop myself from smiling. You're such a softie, Natalie, I thought to myself

"I'm fine, I promise." I tried to assure her that I really was okay before she finally cut the call. I absent mindedly picked up a flyer from my desk, mulling things over in my head.

Maybe it was time to go on a vacation.