Other People's Business. Pamela Yaye

What movie?”

      “Did I forget to mention that, too?” Melissa flicked her hair over her shoulders.

      “I hope you guys aren’t dragging us to see some sappy love story,” Peter warned, stealing a piece of bacon off his fiancée’s plate, “’cause I can’t take another movie where all the characters do is talk, talk some more, argue and then make up. I want to see something blow up!”

      Melissa waved her hand absently in front of Peter’s face. “Honey, please. We’re going to see Head Over Heels. I heard it’s an adorable date movie and since it’s my turn to pick, that’s what we’re going to see.”

      “Is that right?” Peter’s hand fell from around Melissa’s waist. He pointed at himself, then L.J. “What if we don’t want to see that one?”

      “Then I guess you can sit in the car, because that’s what I want to see,” Melissa snapped back. “You didn’t see me kicking up a fuss when you dragged me to see that horrific war movie last weekend, did you? Or what about when you convinced me to wait in line an hour to buy tickets for that martial arts thriller? Don’t get me started, Peter. I’m not in the mood.” Switching gears and the tone of her voice, she said, “Now, do you want something to eat? The movie doesn’t start for another hour.”

      Autumn had to give it to Melissa. She could out-argue anybody. She’d checked in on her at the courthouse a time or two, and watching her friend in action had given her tingles. Melissa could go up both sides of the opposing counsel, then turn on the charm for the judge and play the sympathy card with the jury. If Autumn was ever arrested, she’d want Melissa representing her. Autumn returned her eyes to the newspaper. She didn’t have to see the end of this scene to know how things were going to play out. They were going to see Head Over Heels.

      Peter rubbed his hand across the base of his jaw, a devilish grin taking shape on his lips. His eyes were twinkling brighter than a star-filled sky and before Melissa could blink, Peter had scooped her up and tossed her high in the air. Nuzzling his stubbly chin against her neck, he whirled her around. “Now, who’s the man?”

      Melissa struggled to get free, but she was no match for Peter. He outweighed her by a solid eighty pounds. “Peter Roland Delancy, put me down! Now! Right now! Or you’ll be sorry.”

      “What are you going to do, big bad Melissa?”

      When she wavered, he set off towards the pool.

      Melissa screamed loud enough to wake the dead, “Put me down, dammit! Now! Peter, if you don’t put me down this instant I’m going to—”

      Peter didn’t let her finish. He heaved his bride-to-be into the elongated swimming pool, then doubled over in laughter. Melissa, a certified lifeguard and former captain of her high-school swim team, was flapping her arms and legs as though it was her first time in water.

      Autumn jumped up from her chair, and her beach towel dropped around her ankles. Laughing until she was clutching her sides, she was oblivious to the show she was giving L.J. Now that’s what I call sweet justice, she thought, hooting right along with Peter. Melissa had finally gotten her due.

      Melissa sputtered to the surface, looking fierce. Mascara was streaming down her cheeks, her berry red lipstick was chalky and the hair she’d spent a half hour curling was now pancake flat. Peter rested his hands on his knees, trying to regain control. “Turtledove, I…” He tried earnestly to apologize, but was overtaken again by laughter.

      “You think this is funny?” Melissa screamed, pounding her fists against the water. “Wait! Just wait until I get out of here. We’ll see who’s laughing then, funny man!”