Island Love Songs: Seven Nights in Paradise / The Wedding Dance / Orchids and Bliss

“What?” Richelle asked. “You said you two are friends now, didn’t you?”

Melanie grimaced, then put on a brave face. “Exactly.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“Nothing,” Melanie said. “He’s entitled to talk to whomever he likes. We’re not together.”

But despite Melanie’s words, her stomach sank when she looked at Lawrence with the women and saw one in particular laughing and touching his arm.

“Wow,” Melanie muttered. “She’s so not his type.”

“Obviously, he’s had to get a new type,” Richelle said. “Since you dumped him.”

The words stung, even though they shouldn’t. But before Melanie could think of a reply for her friend, Roy was stroking Richelle’s face, and she was turning back to her man, and no longer paying any attention to Lawrence or either of the two women who were no doubt trying to seduce him.

The crowd erupted in applause, and Melanie jerked her gaze forward. Out of duty, she put her hands together and clapped as well, though her mind wasn’t on the show at all. Her mind was on Lawrence, and how he was now flaunting his single status in front of her.

Several moments passed and she glanced over her shoulder and saw that Lawrence, Shemar and the two women had taken seats at the far back of the small seating area. He was sipping some sort of green cocktail concoction in a tall glass.

Melanie couldn’t help scoffing. “Since when did Lawrence drink froufrou drinks?” she asked.

Richelle placed a hand on her arm, and Melanie faced her. “Mel, you say you’ve moved on. That you gave him answers and closure. And that you yourself got closure, as well. So what do you expect?”

“You seriously don’t think there’s a part of him doing this for my benefit?”

“Why would he need to? You dumped him nine months ago. As you’ve said all day, he’s single and free to date whomever he wants. I suggest you do the same. Roy told me that Edward is interested....”

“You’re joking, right?” Melanie asked. She had picked up Edward’s glaring interest, but he was totally not her type.

“Why not?” Richelle challenged. “He seems nice enough. A little awkward, yeah, but certainly a nice guy.”

“This isn’t about me dating anyone else. I’m not about to get caught up in some island romance. Unlike Lawrence, it seems.”

“Seriously, Mel—why do you care?”

Melanie swallowed. “Because—because he’s flaunting the fact that he’s moved on in front of me. Don’t you think he should exercise a little tact?”

“Is that what bothers you?” Richelle asked. “That he’s flaunting someone new in front of you? Or are you really bothered by the fact that you’re not with him right now?” She raised an eyebrow, an exclamation point on her question.

Melanie tried to tamp down on the unsettled feeling in her stomach, on the sensation of bile rising in her throat. She knew she had no right, after all it was she who had let him go.

It was just that seeing him move on so quickly... She didn’t like it.

The show was over, and people were now going up to the warriors and posing for pictures with them.

“I know you better than you know yourself sometimes,” Richelle said. “And you know as well as I do you didn’t dump Lawrence because you didn’t love him. You dumped him because you couldn’t stand the idea of getting hurt one day. But you can’t expect a guy you’ve dumped to worry about how you might react to the fact that he’s met someone new. If you’re upset because you still love him, then why don’t you fight for him?”

Melanie tightened her jaw as she looked at Richelle. “It’s over.”

“Then get over it.”

Richelle’s blunt response left Melanie stunned. Her stomach twisting painfully, she couldn’t think of a thing to say.

“Sorry, Melanie,” Roy said, getting to his feet and taking Richelle’s hand. “I’d like to borrow my fiancée, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course.” Melanie forced a smile.

Roy helped Richelle to her feet, and the two walked off wrapped around each other toward the shoreline.

A lump formed in Melanie’s throat as she watched Richelle and Roy. Perhaps she was coming down with something.

Yeah, right, she said to herself. The only thing she had come down with was a case of the blues.

She dared a glance behind her again, and saw that Lawrence, Shemar and the women were walking away from the beach.

Yeah, she had the blues all right. And perhaps a major case of jealousy.

As Melanie got up, a feeling of defeat came over her. One that didn’t make sense. She’d dumped Lawrence, and even when they’d spoken today, she hadn’t thought of asking for his forgiveness so that they could reconcile. So why, as Richelle had asked her, did she care?

She turned from looking in Lawrence’s direction and felt a spate of alarm when she saw that Edward was walking toward her, a huge smile on his face.

“Hey, Melanie,” he said, adjusting his glasses as he reached her. “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is.”

He glanced up. “Have you ever seen so many stars?”

“No.” Melanie looked at the sky. “It’s incredible.”

He was still grinning when his eyes met hers again. “The night is young. Feel like taking a walk on the beach with me?”

“Actually, I’m not feeling well.” Which wasn’t a lie. “I think I’d better rest up, since tomorrow will be a busy day.”

“You’re getting sick?” Edward asked, concern in his expression.

“Probably still the jet lag,” Melanie said to allay his concern. “I’m sure I’ll feel better after a good night’s rest. But thanks, anyway.”

“Oh, sure.” Edward sounded disappointed. “Maybe another time.”

Melanie didn’t reply to his suggestion, just offered him a smile. “Good night, Edward.”

Then she turned and headed toward the path that led to the main lobby, her eyes frantically searching. When she didn’t see Lawrence on the lit path, she then surveyed the darkened areas.

She didn’t see him anywhere.

And she began to feel an enormous ache in her heart. Because as she made her way toward the lobby, she couldn’t help wondering if one of those women had offered to spend more time with Lawrence tonight.

And if he had said yes.