One Night with Sole Regret 06 Tell Me Read Free Page B

Nikki’s lip pouted any further from her face, it was liable to fall off.
    “I’m sure.”
    “Fine then. I’ll just go get wasted and pick up some weekend company at a bar.”
    Melanie rubbed her forehead. Why did everything have to be drama with Nikki? Why couldn ’t she for once give Melanie a break?
    “Just stay home this weekend, Nik. You know I’ll worry about you if you go out by yourself.”
    “Why should you get to have all the fun?”
    “Because I’ve earned it! ” Melanie snapped and marched back to her bedroom to finish packing. Nikki was a grown woman—though sometimes it was hard to tell based on her behavior—and Melanie couldn’t spend all her time worrying over Nikki’s poor decisions. She had better things to do. Namely, Gabriel “Force” Banner.
    Trying not to picture Nikki lying dead in a gutter, Melanie yanked clothes from hangers and stuffed them into her suitcase in a big tangled ball. She hoped Gabe owned an iron. Did rock stars press their own clothes? She had no idea. She didn’t know much about him yet, other than they were insanely hot for each other even when hundreds of miles separated them. She thought about changing out of her work clothes—a simple gray pencil skirt and fitted white blouse—and poking her contact lenses into her eyes, but another glance at the clock had her scrambling for her travel-sized toiletries and make-up kit before rushing for the front door.
    Hopping from one foot to the other, s he slipped into her pumps and called to Nikki, “Don’t do anything stupid, Nikki. Please, for me, just stay home this weekend.”
    Nikki didn ’t answer, and Melanie didn’t have time to check on her. She was likely just sulking.
    “I love you!” Still no response. “ Have a good time, Melanie ,” she answered for the silent Nikki. “ Don’t worry about me. I’ll behave .”
    Maybe if she said it aloud, her wish would come true.
    Torn between elation at seeing Gabe and guilt for deserting her needy best friend, Melanie squared her shoulders and left the apartment. She was not going to allow Nikki to dictate her life. Not with the promise of nirvana waiting for her in the Big Easy.

Chapter Three
    Melanie left her sedan in long-term parking and made surprisingly good time in the airport. As luck would have it, the rear section of the plane was called first to board and she hurried to take her place in line. Things were definitely going her way. She took it as a sign that she’d made the right decision. She was going to have a great time this weekend, and Nikki was going to be just fine at home. By herself. Melanie was worrying over nothing. At least that’s what she tried to tell herself. Nikki could be a pain in the ass, but Melanie loved her. Perhaps their relationship was a tad unhealthy, but something about Nikki’s dependence appealed to Melanie in a way she didn’t understand. Maybe it had something to do with being an only child and never having to look out for anyone but herself. Melanie liked looking after Nikki most of the time. And she worried about her all of the time.
    On the plane, Melanie stuffed her small suitcase in the overhead bin and sat in the window seat, instantly squashed by the broad man who sat in the seat to her left. Squirming for an inch of space, Melanie fastened her seat belt, huddled close to the window, and waited for the rest of the plane to board. Her stomach twisted with a mixture of nerves, excitement, and hunger. She hadn’t eaten since lunch. She hoped Gabe was up for a meal, because she doubted the airline would part with so much as a peanut on this short flight.
    Gabe.
    Had she actually sighed aloud thinking about him, or had it been a mental sigh?
    No matter, she couldn ’t wait to see him again. Only a few more hours and she could lose herself in his arms.
    The man beside her gave her a long, hard look, most likely because she was grinning like a simpleton who’d been swimming in a vat of vodka.
    “Business