"Stop please," Melvin pleaded with a grin, "or shall we tell them we’re grabbing a burger with friends tonight and we'll head back tomorrow?"
It was something everyone already suspected, but coming from Melvin's typically straight-laced demeanor, there was no way for Calvin and Daisy to argue.
Jocelyn spent the rest of the day sprawled out on the bed, hardly eating a thing.
Melvin warmed up a glass of milk for her, but the sight of it seemed to turn her stomach. She refused it firmly.
With that annoying smirk of his, Melvin placed an order for clam chowder instead and brought it over to her. "Try to eat a little," he coaxed.
Jocelyn glared at him. "If it weren't for you, would I be like this?"
Her voice was making a bit of a comeback after resting most of the day, but it was still not quite there.
"It’s my fault. But you know, things can get a bit intense for new couples," Melvin admitted as he sat on the edge of the bed, spooning chowder into her mouth, his apology coming too quickly and without a shred of sincerity.
Jocelyn snorted dismissively. "Like it's your first rodeo."
Melvin chuckled, biting his lip. "It's different now."
"Stop making excuses," she muttered, too stubborn to even lean forward, knowing Melvin would bring the spoon all the way to her.
"Before, you were my girlfriend. Last night, you became my wife. How can that be the same?"
Jocelyn wasn't about to listen to his rationalizations. "You sure kept your tricks hidden well before."
"Hidden or not, last night I pulled out all the stops, didn't I?" Melvin teased, noticing her blush, "So, is Mrs. Martinez satisfied?"
Jocelyn wished she could seal his lips shut. Why did he have to be so infuriating?
Melvin decided not to tease her further, worried she might lose her appetite and stop eating.
After finishing the chowder, Jocelyn lay back down.
Melvin set the bowl down gently and whispered, "Zephyr and other friends know we tied the knot. They want us to join them for a celebration dinner. Shall we?"
Jocelyn just pointed at her throat, her glare saying it all, "How am I supposed to go like this?"
"You're much better now," Melvin insisted. "You don't have to talk, just sit there and look beautiful. They'll definitely bring gifts, and you know how hard it is to get them to open their wallets."
Jocelyn wasn't buying that it was for the gifts.
"My legs are jelly."
"I'll carry you."
He was determined to have her join.
Jocelyn didn't quite get his angle.
"You don't care about me at all," she complained as she changed clothes.
Melvin scooped her up and carried her to the car, securing her seat belt. "I just want to show you off."
Jocelyn frowned, not understanding what there was to brag about.
"They all said I'd end up alone," Melvin said with a touch of melancholy in his voice.
Jocelyn's heart sank a little.
The old Melvin, alone? It seemed likely.
"Well, they're blind. Anyone who wouldn't want you must be out of their mind," Jocelyn urged him, "Let's go, let them choke on their envy today."
Melvin's eyes softened as he closed the car door and got into the driver's seat.
They didn't go to some fancy club or hotel. Instead, the car cruised along the riverbank, eventually pulling up to the dock.
A yacht twinkled with lights at the dock, oddly void of tourists.
"Can you walk?" Melvin asked as he helped Jocelyn out of the car.
She wasn't that fragile. It was just that last night had been a bit too exhausting.
"Yeah."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Unwilling CEO's Love Game
Very abrupt ending...