“Did he actually tell you that?”
“Sort of.”
“Meaning?”
“He did.”
“When?”
“He was here in town the day after you got married. He delivered the morning message at your dad’s church.”
“Really? My dad never told me that.”
“Well, he was here, and then afterward, he and Brad and I went to dinner.”
“So, how is he?”
“He’s fine.”
“And his mom?”
“She’s fine, too.”
“I think about her from time to time because she was always so wonderful to me.”
“She’s definitely a great lady.”
“So, how did you guys get on the subject of Phillip and how he feels about me?”
“Well, it wasn’t like it was planned. We were talking and out of nowhere, Phillip asked me how the wedding was and I told him it was nice.”
“Then what?”
“He said he was happy for you and that he hoped JT loved you as much as he still did.”
Alicia’s heart sank. After all this time, she still felt bad about the way things had turned out between her and Phillip. It was one thing for them to end their marriage because of how terribly they’d gotten along, but it was another for her to have had an outside affair and run up his credit cards without his knowing it. Now, on top of that, Melanie was telling her the man still loved her.
The waitress set down their entrées, both of which consisted of stuffed flounder, potatoes, and sautéed vegetables, and then she walked away.
Alicia sliced some of her fish with her fork. “Sometimes I feel just awful when I think about the way I hurt Phillip. He had his faults but what I did to him was the worst.”
“We all make mistakes,” Melanie said, chewing some of her spinach. “And the good news is, he doesn’t hate you for it.”
“Still, I just wish he could find someone like I have, fall in love, and be happy.”
“I’m sure he will, but it’s only been a year since you guys separated, and I don’t think he’s interested in finding anyone else just yet.”
“Well, I wish he would, because he really is a good man, and he would make some woman a great husband.”
“I never should have brought this up, and I’m really sorry.”
“It’s not a problem at all. Plus, best friends are supposed to tell each other everything, right?”
Melanie smiled. “I guess. But your life is with JT now, and that’s all that should matter.”
“I’m sure Brad couldn’t care less one way or the other,” Alicia said, referring to Melanie’s boyfriend, but Melanie didn’t say anything. “He still hates me, doesn’t he?”
“He doesn’t hate you. He just doesn’t like what happened between you and Levi. I mean, he and Phillip have been extremely close since childhood, and it killed him to see Phillip in so much pain.”
“I guess. But maybe one day, he’ll be able to forgive me.”
“I’m sure he will.”
“So, are you guys thinking more about marriage?”
“We talk about it a lot more than we used to.”
“Well, you’ve been dating for two years, so what’s the holdup?”
“We just want to be sure.”
“Sure of what?”
“Sure that we want to settle down and be with one person for the rest of our lives. We love each other but forever is a very long time.”
“So, are you saying you’re okay with waiting just as much as Brad is?”
“Yeah, I’m fine with it. We enjoy our time together. We’re loyal to each other. We’re completely happy with our relationship.”
“Well, as long as you’re both okay with it.”
“We are.”
Alicia and Melanie chatted awhile longer about Melanie’s parents, the master’s degree in nursing she was very close to completing, and how she was considering going back to school full-time to be an anesthesiologist. Alicia had no desire to go back to school, especially for multiple years, but she could definitely see Melanie doing it. She would do fine and she had no debt, so she would be okay financially, too. Alicia also realized that maybe Melanie’s desire to become a doctor was the reason she wasn’t pushing the idea of getting married.
When they finished their meals, Alicia took care of the check, and they headed to the mall. This was certainly not the norm for Melanie, but Alicia was glad she’d been able to talk her into going. What Alicia wanted was to enjoy as many hours with Melanie as she could, because she knew it would be a while before they saw each other again.
Chapter 16
It was amazing how extraordinary her father’s impeccably designed mini mansion always looked, Alicia thought as she drove JT’s BMW up the long driveway. She still owned her silver-blue ragtop BMW, the one her father had given her as a college graduation gift, but JT’s car was much sportier and barely two months old. He’d purchased it not long before they’d gotten married, and she loved the way it raced down the highway. It was the reason she always drove it whenever she made a trip over to Mitchell.
Once she parked and turned off the ignition, she walked up the brick sidewalk and rang the doorbell twice. Shortly after, Agnes, the housekeeper, answered.
“Hi, sweetheart,” she said, smiling at Alicia. “It’s so good to see you. Give me a hug.”
Alicia loved Agnes. She hadn’t so much in the beginning because she couldn’t help comparing her to their former housekeeper, Tracy, but now Agnes was just like family to her. “It’s great seeing you, too, and how are you?”
“Wonderful. And how’s that gorgeous husband of yours?” she asked, closing the door.
“He’s fine. I wanted to spend the day with Melanie, so he stayed in Chicago.”
“And how is she?”
“She’s good.”
“You should have brought her with you.”
“She wanted to come, but she has plans this evening with Brad.”
“Well, you make sure you tell her I said hello when you talk to her again.”
“I will. Where is everybody?”
“Matthew had track practice and should be home any time now, but your dad and stepmom are out back with one of the landscapers.”
“I have some news for them, but I may as well tell you now. My dad’s agent loved the revisions, and she’s getting ready to try to sell my manuscript.”
“Oh, honey, that’s wonderful! Good for you. We all knew it was going to happen, but it’s good to know that it’s now a reality.”
“I know. I’m so relieved and can’t wait to see what offers we’re able to get.”
“I’m so, so proud of you,” she said, hugging Alicia again.
“Thank you. Also, thank you for always being so kind to me, Agnes. I know I’ve told you this many times before, but thank you for not judging me or treating me any differently when I had to move back in here. When Phillip and I split up, it was a very tough time for me, but you made me feel very special.”
“I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Alicia looked up when she saw her dad and Charlotte coming down the hallway.
“Hey, Alicia,” Charlotte said, embracing her.
“Hey,” she said, and then looked at her father and smiled. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Hi, baby girl-I mean, Alicia.”
“‘Baby girl’ is fine,” she said, hugging him, and she could tell he was just as happy to see her as she was to see him.
“Let’s go in the family room,” Charlotte said, but when they did Alicia heard a child saying “Lee Lee” and saw her baby sister, Curtina, walking toward her and rubbing her eyes. She was clearly just waking up.
“Hi, little one,” Alicia said, picking her up. She kissed her repeatedly, and Curtina squealed with laughter. “You’re getting so big.”
“Isn’t she?” Curtis added. “She’s only two, but she looks more like three or four.”