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“It’s not like that. It’s likewewere good together. I knew what she needed without her having to say it. She knew what I needed without me saying a word. We made love in the garden and fell asleep holding each other.”

“Damn, that’s romantic,” Bridgette noted. “I want that.”

“I want itagain,” Melinda said. “I can’t stop thinking about her. I’ve been texting her non-stop. I pause when I’m on the tours for a while, but when they’re all looking the other way, I get my phone out just to message Kyle.”

“Text her orsexther?” Bridgette teased.

“A little of both,” she replied. “I’ve never really sexted anyone before.”

“Yeah? How is it?” Bridgette took a bite of her sandwich.

“She’s very good,” Melinda said, recalling Kyle’s last message. “She’s sent me, like, two novels in her messages. One was about things that happened last night, and the other was about what she wants to do to me tonight, and she’sdescriptive.”

“Oh? Let me see,” Bridgette held out her hand expectantly.

“No way! My eyes only,” Melinda replied, laughing.

“All jokes aside, Mel: what happens when she leaves? I thought you were going to take it slow.”

“We were. Like I said, we were just going to sleep, but it happened, and I’m very glad it did.” She sighed. “I don’t know what happens when she leaves. We didn’t talk about that before.”

“You probably should have though, right? You’re really into her. It’s obvious. I don’t want you to get hurt, Mel.”

“I don’t want to get hurt, either,” Melinda said. “She’s just different.”

“Different how?”

“It’s not like I’ve hadthatmany girlfriends, but Kyle isn’t like the few that I’ve had. She’s so sweet, Bridge. She’sjust herself all the time with me. She doesn’t hold anything back.”

“Definitely not in the bedroom if that hickey is any indication,” Bridgette teased.

“I want her to stay,” Melinda said.

“Obviously.”

“No, I mean, Ireallywant her to stay. I hate the idea of her going home. I feel like New Orleans is her home; like she’s meant to be here. You should see her in that house. It’s like she was meant to be here all along.”

“How doesshefeel?”

“She says she loves it here,” Melinda replied.

“That’s good. This place isn’t for everyone.”

“It feels like it’s for her, though. She liked chicory coffee before she even came here.”

“Really?” Bridgette took another bite.

“Yeah. And she loves the history, too. You should’ve seen her in the helicopter last night. She looked like a little kid, seeing it from above. All smiles.”

“Mel, you’re getting really attached to someone who says that she likes the place but lives somewhere else. Her family is there, too, right? Besides you now, there’s only the properties really keeping her here, and she’s renting or selling those.”

“I know,” Melinda said, looking down at her uneaten Po-Boy.

“It’s your relationship. I just think you two clearly have some things to talk about. I joked about the sex thing, but I didn’t think you’d hook up with her so soon. You said you wanted to take your–”

“We didn’thook up, though, Bridge. Hooking up is whatyouwanted to do. Kyle and I didn’t hook up.”

“Okay. That’s fair. But outside of having another date with her, what have you two talked about when it comes to the future? Are you dating? Exclusive? Girlfriends? Considering long-distance when she goes back home? I know it’s all new and everything, but if you don’t want to get your heart broken, you need to start figuring this stuff out now. She’sa flight away, and you pretty much work six days a week. Do you even get vacation days there? I know the boss loves you, but–”