HAWAIIAN SUNSET
TAYLOR
New Year's Eve had approached, and to make up for not having the Christmas Party, Mel decided she wanted
to throw a New Year's Eve party. Taylor figured that was a better idea anyway. Less stress, less people, more laid back atmosphere. Tonight, the kids went to ring in the new year with their grandparents, and the parents were ringing in the new year with the adults at Mel's and Tay's.
Taylor was surprised when Kate walked through his kitchen door. It wasn't quite dark outside yet. He had been in the sink, hand washing the glasses they would be using that night when he was distracted by Kate,
walking in and plopping her purse down on the marble-top bar and immediately immersing herself in her phone.
"Uh, you're here early," Tay said.
She looked up at him and sighed, lowering her phone. "I know. I'm sorry. Zac wanted to go ahead and come over and we just left your mom's and--well even though I'm already two kids in, it doesn't get any easier to leave them behind."
"You're texting Mom about the baby, aren't you?"
"I can't help it."
"Where's Zac?"
"In there with Mel and the kitten. I have to hide when I do this. Zac says I'm being paranoid. And maybe he's right--a little right. But still, I just--it makes me feel better."
"Hey, you don't have to prove anything to me. No judgment here."
Kate smiled. "Thanks. So who's all coming tonight?"
"Uh, nobody in particular. Just us. Ike and Nikki. Mac's still in town and he's bringing his girlfriend. Mel invited the other girls from the office. A few of the guys...and one more that's sort of a surprise for Mel..." Tay threw the dishcloth he was holding over his shoulder and checked his watch. "...who should actually be here any minute now."
The conversation ceased suddenly when Mel walked in the room. She smiled. "Hi, Kate. You flew through the living room so fast I thought you were just a shadow."
Kate laughed and hugged Mel. "I know, I'm sorry. Had to check on the baby. Thanks for inviting us."
"Oh, anytime. No invitation needed. Glad you could come!" Then Mel turned her attention to her fiancée. "Are we ready to do some drink mixing yet?"
"I'm not drinking!" Zac called from the living room over the sound of jingling cat toys.
"Grey Goose will fix THAT," Mel muttered to Kate.
"He would kill you! Or me. Or maybe Tay..."
"No, it's cool. I'll just keep bringing him Mountain Dews with, like, half a shot in them. The beauty of Grey Goose is it's not too strong. And maybe he won't get drunk, but at least he will have drunk SOMETHING on New Year's Eve. Whether he knows it or not is neither here nor there."
"Until he starts feeling it," Kate giggled.
"Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there."
At that moment the doorbell rang. Mel ignored it, busily getting glasses together and Tay stole a glance at Kate. "Uh, Mel, would you go grab the door?"
Obviously shaken out of whatever stupor she'd been in, Mel looked up blankly. "Oh, yeah. Sure." And off the went.
Kate leaned over the marble-top and hissed at Tay. "Well? Who is it?"
He smiled a sly smile at her. "Wait for it."
They sat in silence for a few more seconds before an ear-splitting "OH MY GOD!!" filled the entire house.
Kate looked at Tay in question and he winked at her and took the dishcloth off his shoulder, turning his attention back to the sink.
____________________________________________________
MEL
Mel couldn't believe her eyes. It just couldn't be real! Except for her initial reaction, she couldn't find any more words.
"Well hello to you, too," her guest chuckled at her.
After a moment, things finally registered with Mel and she threw her arms around Jason Kamealoha's neck excitedly. As he lifted her off the ground, she couldn't help but bury her face in the hair that still fell to his
shoulders. She hadn't seen her 6'4" Hawaiian best friend since Drew's wedding and that had been a long time. Too long.
He put her down and she began chattering happily. "I can't believe you're here! Happy New Year!"
Jason laughed at her, his green eyes sparkling as they always had against his tan, Hawaiian skin. "So are you gonna let me in or am I gonna stand out here all night?"
"Oh!" Embarrassed, Mel let him in and took his coat. As she hung it on the coat rack in the foyer, she looked him up and down. "Where are your bags? Surely you didn't come here empty-handed."
"I got a hotel downtown."
Mel looked at him, disappointed. "Jason. We have plenty of room here, you know you can stay. It's no trouble at all."
"Thanks, but I'm really okay. I rented a car and the hotel has a pretty decent gym, so. I don't leave till the day after tomorrow so don't sweat it."
Mel smiled up at him once more. "I'm just so happy you're here. You have no idea."
He smiled back at her. "I'm pretty sure I do."
As she led Jason into the living room and Kate and Zac greeted him, Zac wasting no time striking up a conversation, Mel went to the kitchen in search of Tay. She found him alone, quietly drying out glasses.
She walked over and stood by him, watching him for a moment. She knew he was aware she was watching. She also knew he was trying not to be curious but she could see the corners of his mouth trying to turn up in
realization. "Tay, stop what you're doing for a minute and look at me. Did you do this?"
Without a word, he turned to face her, and then he nodded. Mel took his face in her hands and kissed him, a kiss full of passion and appreciation. As she pulled away, she still held his face. "Taylor Hanson, you are the greatest man that ever walked the face of this earth. You have no idea how happy you make me and I know I don't tell you that enough. I don't know how I could ever possibly repay you for all the happiness you've brought into my life."
"Just marry me," he said to her quietly.
Mel wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. As he pulled her closer, her mind quickly ran through the recent holiday season and she fought back tears immediately. She was beginning to be so overwhelmed with emotion that there was almost nowhere else left for it to go but out her eyes. And she wasn't about to let that happen. At least not right now, anyway.
"I kinda wish we hadn't had this party now," Mel said to him, just as quietly. "Cause I kinda wanna kidnap you from everyone and lock us up in the bedroom."
Tay smiled. "I could kick everyone out."
Mel giggled. "Seriously, though. If I don't get a chance tonight in all the madness, I just wanted to say I love you. I wish--well--there just aren't enough words to express it sometimes. You know?"
"I know," he said. Then he kissed her forehead. "Go in there and spend some time with your company. I'm right behind you."
____________________________________________________
TAYLOR
Taylor wasn't sure he was ready to lay eyes on Jason yet. It wasn't that Tay disliked the man. Once upon a time he had loathed him. But they had since patched up their differences--Tay's victory in "winning the girl"
had helped that--and the truth was, Tay found Jason to be a pretty stand-up guy. In some ways, more than he was, admittedly. Tay was able to find comfort and acceptance in Mel's and Jason's friendship. After all, Jason was her best friend, despite their short history. Tay sneered at the thought and quickly shook it out of his mind. Part of Tay's attempt to make some changes for the better included being more accepting and trusting of people--primarily Mel--and her friendship with Jason was proving to be his biggest test. He was proud of himself to be passing with flying colors.
However, Tay couldn't deny the feelings of fear and doubt and jealously that still lingered there. Deep, deep down where he could feel them, but refused to acknowledge their presence. And that took a lot of work. He almost lost Mel to Jason once and that was something he would never forget and was determined to never risk happening again. The truth was, in all actuality and all things considered--ALL things considered--Jason was better for Mel than Taylor was. And he knew this. Both of them did. It was an unspoken rivalry he and Jason had with each other and had mutually decided to suppress for Mel's sake. But you couldn't deny the nature of man and if they were allowed to let nature take it's course, then it would come down to two men entering and one man leaving--and they both knew who the man leaving would be.
Despite all of that, Tay actually liked the guy. Jason was a likeable person. Respectful, cool to be around. Jason was laid back and he saw the world for exactly what it was. You couldn't get more simple than that. In some ways, Tay envied him. In some ways, he wished he was a little more like Jason. Life would be easier if he wasn't so damn high-strung sometimes.
Tay had never admitted to himself that he was high-strung before. He put that on his mental list of things to never say in front of Mel.
Wiping his hands on the dishcloth and then tossing it on the counter, Tay took a deep breath and walked into the living room, prepared for what he knew he would witness for the rest of the night--the fawning. Tay had been in public with Jason on several occasions in several different atmospheres and the one thing that had always stayed the same was the fawning. Women fell all over themselves whenever Jason was in the room. It was inevitable. Hell, even Tay had to admit that he wouldn't kick Jason out of his bed. The man was a hulk, towering over six feet of nothing but pure, tan, Hawaiian muscle, with dark wavy hair that fell loosely to his shoulders and green eyes even Tay was jealous of when he smiled. Underneath his smile were bright, white teeth, which were the last little detail that sent women right over the edge. Tay had this affect on women, too, and he knew it. But not quite like this. And unfortunately, his fiancée was one of them. He knew she tried to play it off, for his sake, but honestly, he would think something was seriously wrong with her if she didn't blush once or twice in Jason's presence. Any idiot would see how unnatural it would be not to be phased by him and Tay's way of coping with it was to chalk it up to human nature and call it a day. After all, Tay couldn't help it if Mel couldn't help it. Right?
As Tay walked in the living room, Jason stood to greet him. The two men smiled and shook hands. It was a less awkward greeting than it could have been and Tay knew that all parties involved were glad for it. "Hey,
man, thanks for inviting me," Jason said. "I was shocked as shit when I looked at my schedule and saw today and tomorrow open. Having holidays off is almost unheard of anymore."
Tay laughed. "I feel your pain there." He then handed Jason one of the two beers he had carried with him into the room. It was a mutual understanding. If he needed alcohol to deal with the current situation, he knew Jason would, too.
___________________________________________
JASON
Jason Kamealoha had sat in the driveway for ten minutes before finally making it to the door. Before that he had seriously debated coming to Tulsa at all. He hadn't seen Mel in months. Long months. They talked plenty, but it wasn't the same. Besides his immediate--VERY immediate--family, Mel was the most important person in his life.
But he had let himself fall. It was such a freak thing, he still couldn't believe himself for allowing it. Jason had never found himself in a "real" relationship before. Sure, he'd dated women, some more serious than others, but none of them he would consider spending an extended amount of time with. Jason took life day by day and he never rushed things. He always knew that when the right woman came along, he would be ready. It
would be his time.
And then Mel walked into his life. One minute he's bullshitting with his buddies on a trip to New York City on a whim and the next minute she's walking around the corner in a dress that nearly made his heart pump out of his chest. Upon laying eyes on her he knew she was different. Special. But he also knew she came with baggage and no time was wasted introducing him into it.
Mel was supposed to be a fling. A one-night stand. Nothing more, nothing less. He never intended to even speak to or see her again after that night. But they hit it off and before the night was even over he knew he couldn't get enough of her, and that had never really happened to him before.
Their chemistry was undeniable. It was beyond anything he had ever felt with a woman in his life. They'd had an understanding due to her issues with her deceased-then-suddenly-undead husband and her ongoing issues with Taylor Hanson, and with his constant traveling for work, that nothing could go beyond friendship with the two of them. He'd agreed because it made sense, especially since he'd been the first to suggest it, but the sex was absolutely spectacular and he just kept coming back for more. He was completely and utterly addicted to her.
It was when he was in Ireland, filming his first film, that he realized that he'd fallen in love with her. He hated himself for it. He didn't want to love her. He wasn't supposed to love her. By that time, Taylor was leaving his wife and Mel had promised herself to him--which any idiot could see coming in the first place--but yet Jason still fell and he couldn't get back up. He let his mouth get the best of him when Mel visited in Ireland and let it slip, risking losing her forever. But she stuck around and he couldn't be more grateful. Someone, somewhere,
was watching out for him.
Between the Ireland trip and now, Mel had gotten engaged to Taylor and Jason and Taylor had patched up their differences, though it was more like a truce. Jason only wanted what was best for Mel and if she felt that
marrying Taylor was what was right for her, he wasn't going to stand in her way. Also in that time, Jason's star had risen, practically overnight. He was handed offers on a daily basis, work never ceased, and it had gotten so bad that he was even met by cameras when he got off the plane in Tulsa. How he hadn't been followed to Mel's house was beyond him.
Despite all the time and all the events that passed and stood in Jason's way, he still loved her. It never went away and he hated it. He hated not waking up next to her, he hated not smelling her hair and he hated
thinking of her with Taylor. Given their history, they only made sense. It was in their destiny that they marry, like it was right out of a story book. Jason knew he couldn't compete with history, though it didn't stop him from trying. He would lay down his life for Mel, even now, even though he knew it still wouldn't bring her to him.
So when Taylor called him and invited him to their home on New Year's Eve, Jason had jumped at the invitation, seeing an opening in his schedule. Even though he knew being around them would make him uncomfortable, the truth was, he would have done absolutely anything he had to do to be close to Mel, no matter the circumstances. If he couldn't have her, he would take anything he could get.
And now he sat in their living room. A home that Mel had bought and had been hers, now belonged to the two of them. As much as Jason loved her and wanted nothing more than to carry her off into the sunset, he knew he could never make her house a home. Not the way that it was obvious Taylor could. The only thing he loved more than Mel was his career. And no doubt he would drop it all for her, she would never allow it and
he would never be able to give her the time and attention she deserved. He barely owned a home himself, being on the go constantly, never staying in one place more than a month or two at a time. It was exhausting and it was crazy, but he loved it and he knew Mel didn't deserve it. That reason alone was what caused Jason to back up and punt in the fight for her and to relent, allowing the inevitable happen. It pained him, but as the saying went, "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's meant to be." But she hadn't come back yet and he had accepted it.
Everything else aside, he actually had been looking forward to a laid back New Year's Eve for a change. He'd been on the go so often, he barely got to touch ground in Hawaii for Christmas before he was on the run again before sunrise the day after. He'd also been looking forward to seeing Zac, as well. He liked Zac and they'd become casual friends since they first met. They had some things in common and shared a few laughs when he came to Ireland with Mel. He figured if anything, if Zac was going to be there he'd at least have fun hanging with him if all else failed.
The five of them sat there and caught up for a few minutes when a thought crossed Jason's mind. "So, Mel, are Drew and Gerard making an appearance tonight?"
Mel's face lit up and she looked over at Taylor. "I don't know. Are they?"
Taylor's face fell and Jason instantly knew that what was coming next would disappoint Mel and he hated it. "No, she's not coming."
"Oh." Mel's eyes darted around for a second when she smiled, an obvious cover-up of her true feelings. "Well, she stays busy, so. She probably had a prior commitment or something."
Taylor's eyes met Jason's and in that moment, he knew there was something a little bigger going on. Taylor cleared his throat. "Uh, well, I didn't really want to say anything about this tonight, but...well I invited her a couple weeks ago when we started planning the party. I called, I emailed, I texted..."
"Yeah..." Mel interrupted him. "With her I'm sure you gotta let her know much farther in advance."
"I wouldn't know that. She never got back to me."
Mel looked taken aback and judging by Taylor's face, he felt the same way Jason was feeling now. "At all?" Mel asked. "Not even to turn down the invite?"
"Not a word."
Mel was silent. Kate exchanged glances with Zac, Zac with Taylor, and Taylor with Jason. And then Kate broke the silence. "Mel, let's go see what you've got going on in that kitchen to mix drinks with. I think it's time we got this party started."
As Kate led Mel into the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Slowly but surely, the party was, indeed, getting started.
TAYLOR
New Year's Eve had approached, and to make up for not having the Christmas Party, Mel decided she wanted
to throw a New Year's Eve party. Taylor figured that was a better idea anyway. Less stress, less people, more laid back atmosphere. Tonight, the kids went to ring in the new year with their grandparents, and the parents were ringing in the new year with the adults at Mel's and Tay's.
Taylor was surprised when Kate walked through his kitchen door. It wasn't quite dark outside yet. He had been in the sink, hand washing the glasses they would be using that night when he was distracted by Kate,
walking in and plopping her purse down on the marble-top bar and immediately immersing herself in her phone.
"Uh, you're here early," Tay said.
She looked up at him and sighed, lowering her phone. "I know. I'm sorry. Zac wanted to go ahead and come over and we just left your mom's and--well even though I'm already two kids in, it doesn't get any easier to leave them behind."
"You're texting Mom about the baby, aren't you?"
"I can't help it."
"Where's Zac?"
"In there with Mel and the kitten. I have to hide when I do this. Zac says I'm being paranoid. And maybe he's right--a little right. But still, I just--it makes me feel better."
"Hey, you don't have to prove anything to me. No judgment here."
Kate smiled. "Thanks. So who's all coming tonight?"
"Uh, nobody in particular. Just us. Ike and Nikki. Mac's still in town and he's bringing his girlfriend. Mel invited the other girls from the office. A few of the guys...and one more that's sort of a surprise for Mel..." Tay threw the dishcloth he was holding over his shoulder and checked his watch. "...who should actually be here any minute now."
The conversation ceased suddenly when Mel walked in the room. She smiled. "Hi, Kate. You flew through the living room so fast I thought you were just a shadow."
Kate laughed and hugged Mel. "I know, I'm sorry. Had to check on the baby. Thanks for inviting us."
"Oh, anytime. No invitation needed. Glad you could come!" Then Mel turned her attention to her fiancée. "Are we ready to do some drink mixing yet?"
"I'm not drinking!" Zac called from the living room over the sound of jingling cat toys.
"Grey Goose will fix THAT," Mel muttered to Kate.
"He would kill you! Or me. Or maybe Tay..."
"No, it's cool. I'll just keep bringing him Mountain Dews with, like, half a shot in them. The beauty of Grey Goose is it's not too strong. And maybe he won't get drunk, but at least he will have drunk SOMETHING on New Year's Eve. Whether he knows it or not is neither here nor there."
"Until he starts feeling it," Kate giggled.
"Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there."
At that moment the doorbell rang. Mel ignored it, busily getting glasses together and Tay stole a glance at Kate. "Uh, Mel, would you go grab the door?"
Obviously shaken out of whatever stupor she'd been in, Mel looked up blankly. "Oh, yeah. Sure." And off the went.
Kate leaned over the marble-top and hissed at Tay. "Well? Who is it?"
He smiled a sly smile at her. "Wait for it."
They sat in silence for a few more seconds before an ear-splitting "OH MY GOD!!" filled the entire house.
Kate looked at Tay in question and he winked at her and took the dishcloth off his shoulder, turning his attention back to the sink.
____________________________________________________
MEL
Mel couldn't believe her eyes. It just couldn't be real! Except for her initial reaction, she couldn't find any more words.
"Well hello to you, too," her guest chuckled at her.
After a moment, things finally registered with Mel and she threw her arms around Jason Kamealoha's neck excitedly. As he lifted her off the ground, she couldn't help but bury her face in the hair that still fell to his
shoulders. She hadn't seen her 6'4" Hawaiian best friend since Drew's wedding and that had been a long time. Too long.
He put her down and she began chattering happily. "I can't believe you're here! Happy New Year!"
Jason laughed at her, his green eyes sparkling as they always had against his tan, Hawaiian skin. "So are you gonna let me in or am I gonna stand out here all night?"
"Oh!" Embarrassed, Mel let him in and took his coat. As she hung it on the coat rack in the foyer, she looked him up and down. "Where are your bags? Surely you didn't come here empty-handed."
"I got a hotel downtown."
Mel looked at him, disappointed. "Jason. We have plenty of room here, you know you can stay. It's no trouble at all."
"Thanks, but I'm really okay. I rented a car and the hotel has a pretty decent gym, so. I don't leave till the day after tomorrow so don't sweat it."
Mel smiled up at him once more. "I'm just so happy you're here. You have no idea."
He smiled back at her. "I'm pretty sure I do."
As she led Jason into the living room and Kate and Zac greeted him, Zac wasting no time striking up a conversation, Mel went to the kitchen in search of Tay. She found him alone, quietly drying out glasses.
She walked over and stood by him, watching him for a moment. She knew he was aware she was watching. She also knew he was trying not to be curious but she could see the corners of his mouth trying to turn up in
realization. "Tay, stop what you're doing for a minute and look at me. Did you do this?"
Without a word, he turned to face her, and then he nodded. Mel took his face in her hands and kissed him, a kiss full of passion and appreciation. As she pulled away, she still held his face. "Taylor Hanson, you are the greatest man that ever walked the face of this earth. You have no idea how happy you make me and I know I don't tell you that enough. I don't know how I could ever possibly repay you for all the happiness you've brought into my life."
"Just marry me," he said to her quietly.
Mel wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. As he pulled her closer, her mind quickly ran through the recent holiday season and she fought back tears immediately. She was beginning to be so overwhelmed with emotion that there was almost nowhere else left for it to go but out her eyes. And she wasn't about to let that happen. At least not right now, anyway.
"I kinda wish we hadn't had this party now," Mel said to him, just as quietly. "Cause I kinda wanna kidnap you from everyone and lock us up in the bedroom."
Tay smiled. "I could kick everyone out."
Mel giggled. "Seriously, though. If I don't get a chance tonight in all the madness, I just wanted to say I love you. I wish--well--there just aren't enough words to express it sometimes. You know?"
"I know," he said. Then he kissed her forehead. "Go in there and spend some time with your company. I'm right behind you."
____________________________________________________
TAYLOR
Taylor wasn't sure he was ready to lay eyes on Jason yet. It wasn't that Tay disliked the man. Once upon a time he had loathed him. But they had since patched up their differences--Tay's victory in "winning the girl"
had helped that--and the truth was, Tay found Jason to be a pretty stand-up guy. In some ways, more than he was, admittedly. Tay was able to find comfort and acceptance in Mel's and Jason's friendship. After all, Jason was her best friend, despite their short history. Tay sneered at the thought and quickly shook it out of his mind. Part of Tay's attempt to make some changes for the better included being more accepting and trusting of people--primarily Mel--and her friendship with Jason was proving to be his biggest test. He was proud of himself to be passing with flying colors.
However, Tay couldn't deny the feelings of fear and doubt and jealously that still lingered there. Deep, deep down where he could feel them, but refused to acknowledge their presence. And that took a lot of work. He almost lost Mel to Jason once and that was something he would never forget and was determined to never risk happening again. The truth was, in all actuality and all things considered--ALL things considered--Jason was better for Mel than Taylor was. And he knew this. Both of them did. It was an unspoken rivalry he and Jason had with each other and had mutually decided to suppress for Mel's sake. But you couldn't deny the nature of man and if they were allowed to let nature take it's course, then it would come down to two men entering and one man leaving--and they both knew who the man leaving would be.
Despite all of that, Tay actually liked the guy. Jason was a likeable person. Respectful, cool to be around. Jason was laid back and he saw the world for exactly what it was. You couldn't get more simple than that. In some ways, Tay envied him. In some ways, he wished he was a little more like Jason. Life would be easier if he wasn't so damn high-strung sometimes.
Tay had never admitted to himself that he was high-strung before. He put that on his mental list of things to never say in front of Mel.
Wiping his hands on the dishcloth and then tossing it on the counter, Tay took a deep breath and walked into the living room, prepared for what he knew he would witness for the rest of the night--the fawning. Tay had been in public with Jason on several occasions in several different atmospheres and the one thing that had always stayed the same was the fawning. Women fell all over themselves whenever Jason was in the room. It was inevitable. Hell, even Tay had to admit that he wouldn't kick Jason out of his bed. The man was a hulk, towering over six feet of nothing but pure, tan, Hawaiian muscle, with dark wavy hair that fell loosely to his shoulders and green eyes even Tay was jealous of when he smiled. Underneath his smile were bright, white teeth, which were the last little detail that sent women right over the edge. Tay had this affect on women, too, and he knew it. But not quite like this. And unfortunately, his fiancée was one of them. He knew she tried to play it off, for his sake, but honestly, he would think something was seriously wrong with her if she didn't blush once or twice in Jason's presence. Any idiot would see how unnatural it would be not to be phased by him and Tay's way of coping with it was to chalk it up to human nature and call it a day. After all, Tay couldn't help it if Mel couldn't help it. Right?
As Tay walked in the living room, Jason stood to greet him. The two men smiled and shook hands. It was a less awkward greeting than it could have been and Tay knew that all parties involved were glad for it. "Hey,
man, thanks for inviting me," Jason said. "I was shocked as shit when I looked at my schedule and saw today and tomorrow open. Having holidays off is almost unheard of anymore."
Tay laughed. "I feel your pain there." He then handed Jason one of the two beers he had carried with him into the room. It was a mutual understanding. If he needed alcohol to deal with the current situation, he knew Jason would, too.
___________________________________________
JASON
Jason Kamealoha had sat in the driveway for ten minutes before finally making it to the door. Before that he had seriously debated coming to Tulsa at all. He hadn't seen Mel in months. Long months. They talked plenty, but it wasn't the same. Besides his immediate--VERY immediate--family, Mel was the most important person in his life.
But he had let himself fall. It was such a freak thing, he still couldn't believe himself for allowing it. Jason had never found himself in a "real" relationship before. Sure, he'd dated women, some more serious than others, but none of them he would consider spending an extended amount of time with. Jason took life day by day and he never rushed things. He always knew that when the right woman came along, he would be ready. It
would be his time.
And then Mel walked into his life. One minute he's bullshitting with his buddies on a trip to New York City on a whim and the next minute she's walking around the corner in a dress that nearly made his heart pump out of his chest. Upon laying eyes on her he knew she was different. Special. But he also knew she came with baggage and no time was wasted introducing him into it.
Mel was supposed to be a fling. A one-night stand. Nothing more, nothing less. He never intended to even speak to or see her again after that night. But they hit it off and before the night was even over he knew he couldn't get enough of her, and that had never really happened to him before.
Their chemistry was undeniable. It was beyond anything he had ever felt with a woman in his life. They'd had an understanding due to her issues with her deceased-then-suddenly-undead husband and her ongoing issues with Taylor Hanson, and with his constant traveling for work, that nothing could go beyond friendship with the two of them. He'd agreed because it made sense, especially since he'd been the first to suggest it, but the sex was absolutely spectacular and he just kept coming back for more. He was completely and utterly addicted to her.
It was when he was in Ireland, filming his first film, that he realized that he'd fallen in love with her. He hated himself for it. He didn't want to love her. He wasn't supposed to love her. By that time, Taylor was leaving his wife and Mel had promised herself to him--which any idiot could see coming in the first place--but yet Jason still fell and he couldn't get back up. He let his mouth get the best of him when Mel visited in Ireland and let it slip, risking losing her forever. But she stuck around and he couldn't be more grateful. Someone, somewhere,
was watching out for him.
Between the Ireland trip and now, Mel had gotten engaged to Taylor and Jason and Taylor had patched up their differences, though it was more like a truce. Jason only wanted what was best for Mel and if she felt that
marrying Taylor was what was right for her, he wasn't going to stand in her way. Also in that time, Jason's star had risen, practically overnight. He was handed offers on a daily basis, work never ceased, and it had gotten so bad that he was even met by cameras when he got off the plane in Tulsa. How he hadn't been followed to Mel's house was beyond him.
Despite all the time and all the events that passed and stood in Jason's way, he still loved her. It never went away and he hated it. He hated not waking up next to her, he hated not smelling her hair and he hated
thinking of her with Taylor. Given their history, they only made sense. It was in their destiny that they marry, like it was right out of a story book. Jason knew he couldn't compete with history, though it didn't stop him from trying. He would lay down his life for Mel, even now, even though he knew it still wouldn't bring her to him.
So when Taylor called him and invited him to their home on New Year's Eve, Jason had jumped at the invitation, seeing an opening in his schedule. Even though he knew being around them would make him uncomfortable, the truth was, he would have done absolutely anything he had to do to be close to Mel, no matter the circumstances. If he couldn't have her, he would take anything he could get.
And now he sat in their living room. A home that Mel had bought and had been hers, now belonged to the two of them. As much as Jason loved her and wanted nothing more than to carry her off into the sunset, he knew he could never make her house a home. Not the way that it was obvious Taylor could. The only thing he loved more than Mel was his career. And no doubt he would drop it all for her, she would never allow it and
he would never be able to give her the time and attention she deserved. He barely owned a home himself, being on the go constantly, never staying in one place more than a month or two at a time. It was exhausting and it was crazy, but he loved it and he knew Mel didn't deserve it. That reason alone was what caused Jason to back up and punt in the fight for her and to relent, allowing the inevitable happen. It pained him, but as the saying went, "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it's meant to be." But she hadn't come back yet and he had accepted it.
Everything else aside, he actually had been looking forward to a laid back New Year's Eve for a change. He'd been on the go so often, he barely got to touch ground in Hawaii for Christmas before he was on the run again before sunrise the day after. He'd also been looking forward to seeing Zac, as well. He liked Zac and they'd become casual friends since they first met. They had some things in common and shared a few laughs when he came to Ireland with Mel. He figured if anything, if Zac was going to be there he'd at least have fun hanging with him if all else failed.
The five of them sat there and caught up for a few minutes when a thought crossed Jason's mind. "So, Mel, are Drew and Gerard making an appearance tonight?"
Mel's face lit up and she looked over at Taylor. "I don't know. Are they?"
Taylor's face fell and Jason instantly knew that what was coming next would disappoint Mel and he hated it. "No, she's not coming."
"Oh." Mel's eyes darted around for a second when she smiled, an obvious cover-up of her true feelings. "Well, she stays busy, so. She probably had a prior commitment or something."
Taylor's eyes met Jason's and in that moment, he knew there was something a little bigger going on. Taylor cleared his throat. "Uh, well, I didn't really want to say anything about this tonight, but...well I invited her a couple weeks ago when we started planning the party. I called, I emailed, I texted..."
"Yeah..." Mel interrupted him. "With her I'm sure you gotta let her know much farther in advance."
"I wouldn't know that. She never got back to me."
Mel looked taken aback and judging by Taylor's face, he felt the same way Jason was feeling now. "At all?" Mel asked. "Not even to turn down the invite?"
"Not a word."
Mel was silent. Kate exchanged glances with Zac, Zac with Taylor, and Taylor with Jason. And then Kate broke the silence. "Mel, let's go see what you've got going on in that kitchen to mix drinks with. I think it's time we got this party started."
As Kate led Mel into the kitchen, the doorbell rang. Slowly but surely, the party was, indeed, getting started.