Falling
into Love
“You know this is my favorite time of year.”
Angelica was sitting on the deck of the local restaurant absorbing the
beautiful trees with her friend Melanie.
“It is lovely here,” Melanie replied while sipping
her pumpkin flavored coffee. Both women were still unattached and nearing
thirty two. They had been friends since they first attended Unity College.
Angelica was born in Maine, and Melanie was from the Midwest. It seemed an
unusual pairing. Angelica was tall,
blonde, and comfortable in her own skin. Melanie was short, round, brunette,
and very self-conscious.
“I can see you’re thinking again,” Angelica said
smiling at her friend.
“I’m just lonely.”
Melanie stared at her coffee.
“What about Gary?”
“The guy with the motorcycle?” Melanie quizzically
asked.
“Yeah.”
“I’m not sure if riding is something I want to do.”
Melanie didn’t look at her friend once. Her self-esteem was at rock
bottom.
“I tell you what, you go with Gary and I will go
with Steve. We can both pop our motorcycle cherries together.” Angelica laughed
hysterically at her own joke. It took Melanie a minute to register, then she
joined in .
“Okay,” Melanie answered after laughing.
Angelica took her phone out of her purse and dialed.
“Hey. I was wondering if you and Gary
would like to take Melanie and I for a ride. It’s such a beautiful fall
day.” There was a moment of silence and
a lot of nodding by Angelica. She gave
Melanie a thumbs up and then said, “Good. We will see you here in twenty. Bye.”
“I can’t believe you did that,” Melanie replied in a
panic.
“You don’t know until you try.” Angelica smiled
broadly at her boldness. She never had an issue getting a man. There was no way
she could know the myriad of thoughts running through her friend’s mind. Sure
the worry was on her face, but the true depth of her nerves was bubbling just
below. Melanie liked Angelica but she had kept one secret from her for all
these years. Melanie had never been with a man.
“You look like a ghost, Mel.”
“I’m just a little nervous about the bike.” Melanie
was lying and Angelica knew it. She wouldn’t push her though. It never turned
out well when she did try to dig the truth out of her friend. Melanie was really
good at building walls and staying buried behind them.
“It will be fine. It’s too late to run now,”
Angelica said pointing to the two motorcycles pulling into the parking lot.
Steve rode a Valkyrie and Gary rode a Harley.
Both bikes were safe enough, but it didn’t slow the beating of Melanie’s
heart. Gary took off his helmet first.
His six foot four frame looked magnificent in the leathers he wore. He kept his
brown hair short. It perfectly complimented his green eyes. Melanie loved green
eyes even though hers were brown.
Steve took
off his helmet next. His blonde hair was almost as brilliant as Angelica’s. Not
quite as tall as Gary, he more than made up for it with the largest arms the
girls had ever seen. His blue eyes were sparkling in the autumn sun. They
were the first thing that drew Angelica in. Her hazel eyes complimented his
perfectly.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” Gary spoke smoothly, his
voice like silk.
“Hi.” Melanie couldn’t put together more than that one
word. Angelica got right up and threw her arms around Steve. She wasn’t shy
about showing her true feelings. He hugged her and then kissed her softly.
Melanie’s cheeks turned red witnessing their affection.
“So where would you like to head?” Gary said as he
took the seat next to Melanie.
“I want to go toward Jackman,” Angelica chimed in.
Gary didn’t look at her. He kept his eyes on Melanie. She felt the weight of
his stare and found her coffee with her own eyes once again.
“I was asking, Melanie.”
“Jackman’s fine,” she replied so quietly it was
almost missed.
“Great. Let’s go,” Steve said grabbing Angelica’s
hand and pulling her toward his bike.
Gary stood up and put his hand out for Melanie. She smiled shyly and
then took it. He led her to his bike and grabbed a helmet out of one of the
saddle bags.
“How do you know what size I wear?” she asked.
“I guessed.”
He smiled and handed it to her. She looked at it for a moment then put
it on. They all mounted the bikes and took off for the north.
The entire ride there was full of massive turns and
lots of hills. Melanie kept her arms tight around Gary for the entire ride. She
even had her eyes closed quite a few times. She saw Angelica taking her hands
off of Steve several times looking like a natural on the back of his bike.
“You need to look around,” Gary yelled to Melanie.
“Okay.” She opened her eyes. The colors that flooded
her vision were amazing. The trees were at their peak. The golds, yellows,
oranges, and reds were far more vibrant here than in Gardiner. She couldn’t
believe the difference just eighty seven miles made. She smiled and held on to
Gary tighter. She felt his hand rub against hers. The shock wave going through
her body made her desire him more than anyone she had ever been out with. She
closed her eyes again and melted into his back. The smell of his cologne filled
her nose and made her desire spike even higher.
Ten minutes down the road and they were in the small
town of Jackman, Maine. Melanie noticed a few restaurants and bars before they
came upon Bishops. One side of the road held a store by that name the other had
a hotel. She was a little stunned when they pulled into the hotel. Gary parked next to Steve and went with him
to the office. Melanie exchanged a
scared look with Angelica.
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