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Chapter 11

Melena – Stealth Mode

Jimmy and I had beenmissing each other all week. He’d worked a couple of consecutive shifts to make up for those he missed from our wedding, and I’d been working late, seeing clients until eight or nine hoping to catch up with all the clients I’d had to reschedule. That didn’t keep us from texting however. He’d been sending me house listings and a few photos. Last night he’d sent me a picture of his dinner. It was cruel and unusual punishment that I couldn’t be there to eat it with him. He was an artist in the kitchen; my meatloaf never looked that good.

It was hard to admit, but I was lonely. Since graduating, I’d been so focused on work I hadn’t put much time into friendships and hobbies. Lisa was really it, and she worked as much as I did which meant she understood when I didn’t want to go out every weekend. She had her own life. Her own husband. I had a few friendly faces at the gym and my friendship with Lisa, plus a handful of friends from high school I kept up with through social media. It had been enough until Jimmy.

Sharing my day and client stories with Jimmy, and hearing about his calls showed me what I was missing. I could tell he was still holding back stories, but he was eager to tell me about the funnier aspects of his job. Watching him in the kitchen also left me warm and tingling from more than amazing food. Jimmy’s capable hands, cutting, chopping, and stirring put me in a trance. He probably thought I was admiring his technique, not imagining it applied elsewhere. Jimmy may be a saint, but I was not. He had me aching to live with him, just so I’d see him more. The bastard. I’d never wanted or needed someone in my life like this. I had been thriving living alone. I didn’t need a husband. But he was making me want one.

Jimmy: Your appointment with Doc Webb is at 3?

Melena: Yep.

Jimmy: And you want me to come?

Melena: Yep.

Jimmy: Liar.

It wasn’t so much that I didn’t want him to come as it was I didn’t want to go. But I needed answers. Cheek kisses weren’t going to cut it for much longer, but Jimmy seemed scared to touch me. I’d mostly felt fine. Mostly. I was tired on days where I had back to back appointments with clients. But who wouldn’t be? It didn’t mean I was too sick to work. I pushed away the thought. I didn’t want to think it into existence. I had to work.

Melena: See you there.

Jimmy: House hunting this weekend? I’ve got my realtor all lined up to show us places Saturday.

Melena: Deal.

I saw clients until it was time to leave for my appointment. I glanced at my phone as I grabbed my purse. I’d make it, but just barely. The dreary day matched my mood; drizzle was making everything damp and gray. Hopefully, it didn’t bode ill for my appointment. Consultations with cardiologists were difficult to find; I’d lucked into a last-minute cancellation with Dr. Webb. I couldn’t miss it. Waiting until January for the next schedule opening was not an option.

I turned off of Stadium onto Division and gave my car extra gas. I didn’t want to be late. The flash of red and blue lights behind me made me groan.Just my luck.A glance in my rearview mirror confirmed the light show was for me.Drat.I bit my lip. I didn’t need a ticket. I pulled over and glanced back at my mirror. The patrol car had pulled off with me, its lights still flashing so traffic would go around.

I kept my hands on the steering wheel and managed to stop myself from banging my head against it.Please don’t let Jimmy drive by right now.My eyes flicked to my mirror again. A stern officer stepped from her patrol car. She walked up and tapped on my window, and I rolled it down.

“Hello, Officer.”

I mustered a smile, wishing I could sink through my seat and out of sight. I’d been going a little fast. But I didn’t think I’d been obnoxious about it.

The blond officer’s unsmiling mouth was firm as she said, “License and registration, please.”

I pulled the most recent five copies of my registration from the nested mess in my glove box and tried not to fumble as I passed them to the officer. I glanced at her before reaching for my purse on the seat beside me, pulling out my wallet. She watched me steadily. I could feel a bead of sweat collecting at my brow. This was ridiculous. I shouldn’t be intimidated. But her stern demeanor was daunting.

She flicked a glance at the license, making sure it matched my registration.

“Melena Nemitz,” she asked with a hesitation on the last name.

I nodded and mustered a weak smile. “Yes. That’s me.”

The officer squinted at me. “Unusual name. One of the guys in the ladder company up the street got married to a Melena. Any relation?”

Kill. Me. Now. I should have considered she’d know Jimmy. Did I claim the relationship and maybe get out of a ticket, or deny everything? I swallowed, unsure what to say. I didn’t have extra cash to pay a fine. But I didn’t want to use Jimmy. Or embarrass him. I closed my eyes briefly, weighing my options. Nope. I couldn’t do that to him. He’d given me enough already.

I smiled brightly at the officer. “Funny coincidence. I’ll have to tell my mother I’m not the only one in town.”

The other woman looked like she could scent the lie. Had it been a test? To see if I’d use my husband’s name to get out of a ticket? A bead of sweat trickled down my cheek. Nope. Not suspicious. Not suspicious at all.

The other woman’s stern face didn’t crack, but she tracked the droplet as I sat stock-still. If I didn’t reach up to wipe it away, I wouldn’t have to acknowledge it was there. She could think I was a very sweaty person, not a Liar McLiarpants.

She gave a brief twist of her lips. “Too bad. He and I used to date, and I haven’t had a chance to wish him well on his marriage yet. Well, ma’am, slow down.” She nodded at the block behind me. “You were going fast for a school zone. I know it’s a high school, and they should know better, but I’ve got a nephew that goes there and he’s dumb and entitled enough to think all traffic stops for him. Save yourself some trouble and slow down.”