Free Make Me Melt by Nicki Day Page A

Maybe you
still got a shot.” 
    Michael shook his
head. “I don’t think so.” 
    “What makes you say
that?” 
    “Let’s just say she’s
not exactly warming up to me the way I would have hoped.”
    “Umm…says who?” 
    He turned to look at
his brother. “What do you mean?” 
    “Man, I saw the look
on her face when I interrupted you two last night.” 
    “Yeah, thanks for
that by the way,” he chimed in.
    “Sorry. How was I to
know that you were out there with your high school sweetheart trying to restart
that fire?”
    “It doesn’t matter
anyway.” 
    “Says who?” Jack
asked him.
    “Says Vicky.”
    “Well, I don’t know
what she said, but I can tell you what I saw. And she didn’t look like someone
who was trying to push you away.” 
    “Maybe, but she
changed her tune last night.”
    “Last night? Is that
where you snuck off to when we got home? To see Vicky?” 
    “Yeah. I asked her to
meet me in the park. Like it mattered.”
    “Look little brother,
I realize you’re not as wise as me—” 
    Michael coughed his
response. “Bullshit.”
    “Very funny.
Seriously though, man. I saw the way she was looking at you. She didn’t look
like someone who wasn’t interested in you. In fact, she seemed like the same
doe-eyed girl who used to hang on your every word all those years ago. If you
ask me, she might still have feelings for you.” 
    Michael swung around.
“Then why is she pushing me away?”
    “Shit I don’t know,
man. She’s a chick. I mean I love Kaylee, but hell if I know what sets off her
moods half the time. Maybe Vicky’s on her period or something.”
    “Dude, this is why
you have such a bad track record with women. You’re insensitive as hell.” 
    “Hey! I’m getting
better. Kaylee barely has to slap me on the arm in public anymore.” He grinned
with pride. 
    “She must be very
proud of you whenever you pick your nose, too,” Michael teased. 
    “I stopped doing that
last month.” Jack laughed.
    “Well, I guess
miracles do happen then.” 
    Jack placed a hand on
Michael’s shoulder. “That’s right. They do. Hell, you think Kaylee agreed to
date me right away? I drove her crazy. Eventually, though, I won her over.
Maybe you need to win Vicky over?” 
    “You think?” Michael
asked hopefully.
    “Hell, if Kaylee
Michaels can love me, anything is possible. Vicky loved you once. You were her
whole world. I’m no expert, but I don’t think those types of feelings ever
really go away.” 
    “So, what do you
think I should do?” 
    Jack grinned. “Can I
just revel in you asking me advice on women first?” 
    “You could, but then
I’d have to kick your ass in front of your girlfriend on Christmas Eve. You
don’t really want me to do that, do you?” 
    “Pfft. Whatever. I’ll
give you advice, but not because I’m afraid of you.” 
    “Right.” 
    Michael smirked and
sat down in one of the chairs. His brother sat down beside him and together
they started talking about a plan. As Michael sipped his coffee and listened to
his big brother’s ideas he realized that maybe he could have a shot with Vicky
after all. 
    He’d let thirteen
years go by without doing anything. Now that she was back in his life, he
wasn’t about to let her walk out of it again. 
    Not by a long
shot. 
     

 
    Chapter Fourteen
     
    Michael waited
patiently at the city park. He had no idea if his plan was going to work, but
he had to try. Vicky’s mom had always liked him in the past. And he hoped that
the heartache he’d caused her daughter years before would long since be
forgotten. If not, he might find himself facing one more difficult Browning
woman. 
    He stood up when he
saw Connie approaching. She stepped onto the snow covered lawn and beamed at
him with a smile that reminded him so much of Vicky. 
    “Michael?” She came
to him with arms wide open. 
    He wrapped his arms
around her and hugged her in return. “Thank you for coming, Miss