Best Friend Next Door (Love Next Door Book 2) *Rough Draft*

Chapter 37

Melanie didn't know what to expect when she gave Isaac the reigns on the date, but she didn't expect to pull into the empty parking lot of Liv-Joyce's.

"Shaggy?" She pushed her lips together trying not to be rude.

"Just trust me, Mel." He clutched the handle and opened the door but Melanie caught his arm.

"Shaggs," She sighed, "When I said I wanted to date, I meant more toward where I live. The city."

His lips curved into a sideway smile, "I guess my country peach has been in the city for too long, time to remind her how amazing the country can be." With a wink he stepped out of the truck.

Christian thankfully called in a favor. He walked around the back of the restaurant and the smell wafted through the air. He'd hoped he had given Ken enough time to make Mel's favorite foods. He'd already sensed her frustration, but he couldn't back out now.

Ken appeared on the back porch with two paper bags wrapped in plastic bags. He wondered if it would have been better if he had cooked, he didn't want to just lie about and say he did, especially since that whole facade worked so terribly with his dad and Val.

"Good luck, man." Ken handed the bags over.

"Thanks." He nodded rushing back to the truck. He needed all the luck he could get. He placed the bags on the back bucket seats and drove with one hand securing them so they wouldn't fall over and make a mess in Christian's truck.

When they drove to their destination Isaac was attentive of Melanie's reaction.

Her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed as she looked ahead.

"What's the matter, Bubbs?"

Her plump lips quirked, "You bring me in the middle of nowhere, at night?"

Of course she wouldn't recognize this place in the dark. Maybe it was for the best he thought. It made the place more new and the date more spontaneous...at least he hoped. He pulled out the cushions and comforters from under the seats, tucked them under his arm and pulled the door open, "When did you get so city-fied, you can't enjoy a little picnic under the stars." He smiled charmingly.

Melanie stepped out onto the grass turning her head up to the clear beautiful starry night with a big luminous crescent moon.

"I know what you're thinking," Isaac began arranging the bed of the truck, "Cheesy right?"

"You're middle name is cheesy Shaggs." Melanie laughed. She then noticed his eyes fall briefly, "I like the cheese Shaggy." She cooed lowering her eyes seductively with a flirtatious smile. Even in the dark she could notice the tinge on his face change.

Isaac jumped out of the truck bed went back into the cab. The headlights illuminated just as the opening of John Legend's All Of Me. Melanie turned to find Isaac looking at her his arm stretched out mouthing the words.

Melanie covered her mouth with her fingertips to her lips trying to contain her smile. She put her hand in his and he twirled her and swayed and danced until she was dizzy. She laughed until she fell into him and the music faded. He continued to hold her to him around her waist and sway her to their own internal heartbeat. Her head touched his.

"You're such a cheese ball." She murmured.

"I'm your cheese ball." He cradled her cheeks brushing his nose against hers. His lips caressed hers fuelling a deep hunger that always surprised him. His tongue dipped into her mouth and the vibration of a soft moan from her rattled every neverending within. "Mel." He growled. He rested his head on hers biting down fighting against every urge that prickled through his flesh. "I don't want to food to get cold." He murmured. Yes despite his firm situation he didn't bring Melanie here for that, not now anyway.