A Melody of You: Book Five

Prologue

I take in the soft smell of cinnamon from my coffee as I sit on a small bench with a warm smile.

My eyes twinkle at the reflection of all the Christmas lights surrounding me. Leanne was just with me, but she got called in from the hospital for an emergency meeting with her group at clinical rotations. I don't mind though. I like being alone and enjoying the chilly breeze with cinnamon coffee keeping me warm.

I continue to walk down the large outdoor mall. It reminds me of times when I would escape my college campus and go to the Irvine Spectrum. Now, I am escaping medical school life so I could go back to those carefree days in college. It's ironic how we struggle so much in the moments that are meant to make us our happiest self in that chapter of our stories. I wonder if I will want to come back to these medical student years during my Residency. The cycle will continue and I will have more places to save for a restful escape like this.

A certain clothing store catches my attention and I find myself entering to admire the designs. It isn't a big store, but it's very different. I love the styles in the men's section and imagine different ideas I could work with if I bought some things here. I will have to keep this place noted since I am a poor medical student still. Sometimes I feel like I missed calling as a fashion designer, but here we are.

I hope this store continues open so I can come back as a doctor and afford such nice clothing.

"Hello."

I look at a woman who approaches me with a warm smile. Her brown skin is beautiful under the bright lights of this store and her curls bounce with her welcoming attitude. "Can I help you with anything?"

"I'm okay! Thank you! I was just looking around."

"We just opened up a place here! The original store is more on the coastal area of this county."

I raise my brows in surprise. "Are you the owner?"

"Oh no! I could never have the guts to put such an impressive business. The owner rarely visits this store, but he is actually with us today!"

"Oh how nice! Do you know the owner?"

"Yes. He's my brother."

"Oh!" I share a chuckle with her. "Well, congratulations on this new step for your family! You must be proud of your brother."

"Oh yes. He has worked so hard. He's always had an eye for fashion and has the mind of a businessman!" Her dark eyes suddenly see something past my shoulder and her smile grows. "Oh! That's him actually! Miles!"

I turn to where her gaze is at and my heart drops.

Miles looks over at us and doesn't seem to acknowledge me as he quickly finishes a conversation with one of the workers. His dark eyes...That tall figure...His gentle smile...Those beautiful brown curls...They all still make me swoon and I'm back when I was in college. I can't believe he still has this power over me where he can make the world stop around me but make me feel dizzy all at the same time.

My heart begins to pound as he stands by his sister, but there is a hint of realization in his eyes when his sister introduces him to me. She's so oblivious of us. I'm glad she knows nothing of the way we made each other break our own rules. The way we would hide in the dark and let the moon hold our secret kisses.

"This is my little brother! He's the owner."

He's the little brother. Then she must be about my age, too. This is embarrassing.

Miles recognizes me almost immediately but he does not show surprise. There is the same twinkle in his eyes from the first time we met in that small cafeteria, but he looks more handsome than ever. Do I look the same? Do I look worse? I blame medical school if I look awful.