liv

Texting Jade for a second, Melissa tossed her phone in the living room and takes this much-needed shower. Warmth trailed in silence as steam water met her body. Right now, she’s  overwhelmed, yet still kept going. It’s been her job after all. 

It’s quiet when she ordered room service late. Distant sounds echoed from the hall beyond this closed door and Mel lulled, letting time float between several thoughts. She’s never truly paid attention, still aware enough to stay careful on the road. 

As Melissa finished another outstanding meal and straightened up the kitchenette from habit, she checked her phone at last, curious. Of course her girls wouldn’t interrupt certain trips, but other folks didn’t get the memo by this point: 

Jimmy: Hey, Mel. You probably won’t see anything until later, but I got SOMEBODY out of the house! 😂

Contacting Melissa, Jimmy sent one picture of him sitting ringside with Roman. Who knows what encouraged for Reigns to show up, let alone not fight? Though at work, it was impossible for Mel to actually notice the crowd sometimes. 

Spotlights drifted between shadows in the picture, but Roman looked handsome from the quick angle. Almost hiding away his own bright smile, Reigns sat near Jimmy and styled another loose ponytail rather than helping dark curls with his signature bun. 

Before long, Mel grinned and opened text messages further: 

Melissa: Hi. Jimmy sent pictures and you looked nice over there. 📸 Roman: Hey. Thanks. You're still awake, though.  Melissa: Don’t worry, I’ll sleep soon. 💤 Roman: Good. How long is your trip here?  Melissa: Leaving tomorrow. Why?✈️ Roman: Honestly? I missed you…

______

By the next morning, Melissa and Roman greeted each other in that large-scale hallway for the first time all weekend. There’s No Jimmy and no Pearce around, either. With each passing second that occurred now, anything could happen. 

“Hey,” Roman offered, trailing luggage as usual. 

“Hi.” This time around, Mel isn’t with her friends, or at least Roman hasn’t seen them yet. 

Across their proximity, Roman noticed that Melissa wore this college t-shirt and topped natural curls with her own messy bun. Both shorts and sneakers capped the look. For once, clothes aren’t routinely professional as she’d leave as usual. 

“Get back safe.” Roman offered that familiar statement first and they both laugh, still welcoming this private talk.   

“You too.” Mel tucks sunglasses back into her pocketbook. 

“Busy next weekend?” Roman tries. 

“I don’t think so. Why?” Melissa didn’t know what to think and waited for Reigns to give more details. 

“I have an idea, but don’t go anywhere else on Saturday.” Roman isn’t flirting too much in public, but their light tension almost lingered. 

“What are you thinking?” Mel asked, intrigued. 

“It’s a something special.” Reigns  departed as the elevator chimed farewell. 

*****

A museum. Roman shut down the most private location available and reserved their tour out of nowhere. Both artwork and exhibits had looked absolutely wonderful,  but Reigns just doesn’t care this time, only watching Melissa between footsteps.

With Mel cold from the air conditioning found inside, Roman offered his jacket without hesitation and stopped near the last piece, slowly reaching for her hand as they both looked forward. There’s no better feeling than to share more quality time. 

“Thank you.” Melissa whispers, not sad, but content. 

“You’re welcome.” Reigns promised. No arrogance. No character dynamic. Just truth right here. 

Soon enough, Melissa then stopped holding hands with Roman and turned, smiling at him up close. 

Choosing his favorite dress shirt as fabric strained against muscles, tribal ink still twisted over the dominant arm. Strong yet good cologne drifted while Roman stood, but still wanted to be safe. No ulterior motives because he always followed her lead. 

Walking closer first, Melissa wanted to meet halfway, especially considering their height difference despite wearing heels. Looking up, she notes his eyes, beautiful and genuine. 

“Are you sure?” Roman asked. Nothing would happen unless Melissa wanted the opportunity. 

“Yes.” Mel nodded, agreeing. 

And when Roman Reigns leaned in, Melissa Boyd would kiss him for the very first time. 

*****

Even sometime later, Roman remembered everything. The way Melissa nearly clicked heels while noticing artwork. The way she grinned through small talk over different pieces. The way her outfit beamed more than summertime that waited outdoors. 

And on that fateful day, their first kiss looked patient, kind and gentle at the museum.  Nothing extravagant or lewd, but sweet without pushing limits. There’s still a time and place for everything, even if Reigns considered anything else with Melissa. 

Roman: Hey.  Melissa: Hi. Are you okay? 😊 Roman: Yeah. I’m just thinking about what happened.  Melissa: Too much? 😞 Roman: No, it was perfect. Are you all right?  Melissa: Yes. I enjoyed myself. 💟 Roman: Me too… 

*****

While brainstorming another episode of “Monday Night Raw” with Adam Pearce, Roman turned his head someone knocked this afternoon. 

“Did you invite somebody?” Pulling his accent forward, Roman questioned Pearce across the conference table. 

“No.” Adam shrugged behind those clear glasses and Reigns stood up, opening the door himself. 

Mel stood in that hallway with the biggest on her face. For the first time since leaving the museum, she visited in person. 

“Oh, hey.” Somewhere between pleasant confused and bashful, Reigns closed the door behind him. “What’s going on?” 

“Didn’t know if you had lunch yet, so I ordered food to the building. Surprise.” Melissa wanted to try as well, especially considering their new relationship. 

“Aw, really?” Chuckling, Reigns can’t help himself. “Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome.” Turning those heels as she wore business causal again, Melissa disappeared as quickly as her arrival. 

Tightening his shirt underneath that muscular frame, Roman doesn’t bother wearing his jacket. It’s still warm outside, but Reigns pocketed both slacks, observant. While looking gorgeous this afternoon, Melissa laughed over small talk with the server at this point, but Reigns doesn’t actually pay attention here. 

Sunlight welcomed her dark skin as those brown eyes gleamed, almost so deep that Roman can’t face Melissa at times without moving away. There’s an immediate difference between his glare and the sweet contrast of Mel simply noticing folks. 

Sitting down himself after guiding her chair first, Roman thanks the server and takes one of their menus, looking forward to his favorite steak. And he still wonders how Melissa will fare. Noting certain details will make a difference even more.

Choosing delicious pasta with shrimp for her meal, Melissa won’t drink, but still enjoyed herself on this summer day.  

“You’re quiet again.” Melissa tiled natural curls at this table while sipping the beverage. 

“Oh. Is the food good?” Roman tried pulling himself together with questions, but it’s difficult when finally noticing Melissa’s outfit. 

“Yeah.” Did Mel strike gold again? Wearing this beautiful dress upfront, modest earrings sparkled here. “Finish your steak.” 

“All right.” Not arguing for several reasons, Roman tries to focus and offer more conversations, but still thinks about her. “Did you post the vacation pictures?” 

“I will.” Melissa then laughs at him, putting down her complimentary glass of lemonade. “Hold on, why are you interested? 

Because you’re so damn pretty!  His mind wanted to shout with another  megaphone like pep rallies back in high school. Even if Jade’s in the picture with Mel, he doesn’t care. 

“I wanted to know.” Clearing his throat, Roman saves himself from embarrassment with more light excuses. And I won’t scare her away. 

“Okay.” Her eyes narrowed in the daylight, cautious though still accepting his response to move forward. “Thanks for inviting me.” 

“Kicking me out? This is one of my favorite places.” Scrunching up this expression like clockwork, Reigns chuckled. “And we don’t have dessert.” 

“Well, what’s your suggestion?” Melissa won’t flirt, yet banter still drifted over the occasion. 

________

“Cheesecake?” Mel grinned toward Roman. Two small plates both offered adorable slices. 

“I got strawberry ice cream last time, so…” Roman recalled, softly bashful when thinking of the parlor again. Technically their first date. 

“Aw, thank you.” Melissa nodded, indulging anyhow. 

“Hey…” When their bill arrives, Mel “reached” first, but Reigns caught on and slowly met his calloused palm over her knuckle. 

In that moment, they both glance across the table and Roman wonders if everything will fall apart right here. Too bold? Too soon? Too close? Who knows what else could happen at this point? All of their sharing may be gone in five seconds.

On the brink of closing his eyes and nearly flinching away, Roman looked up to see Mel already smiling. 

“You’re nervous.” To make the moment special, she smoothed her nail along veins of his hand, peaceful. “What’s wrong?” 

“You make me nervous.” His words tumbled out before Roman could stop. The OTC would never slip like this.

“How?” Melissa only lets go out of his hand to move their small dessert plates, but returned the gesture without startling him. 

“You’re kind to everyone…” His answer isn’t polished and length, but truthful. One of the first traits Roman noticed beyond physical looks. Nothing like the internet, either. 

“Thank you.” Mel took the compliment. “Now don’t trip over your shoelaces. Our driver texted me first.” 

“Really? Let me see...” Fuck! While enamored with Melissa, Roman doesn’t remember seeing messages about leaving the restaurant.

Oh, well. 

______

Near the parking lot at last, Melissa won’t let go of his hand. It’s nothing tight, but the gesture looked firm without making anyone uncomfortable. Taking space between ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye,’ Roman holds on. It’s better follow her lead instead. 

“Get home safe.” Brightening eye contact as she turned, Melissa offered the smile that still Roman’s heart nearly jump out. Two designated cars lined up nearby. 

“You too.” Roman agreed, no longer holding hands with the most hardworking  and incredible woman on earth. 

Watching after Melissa ducks into the backseat and that car rolls out, Roman start to blush for the first time in years.

 And right here, there’s no better feeling in the world. 

*****

Roman: Hey. Lunch was nice.  Melissa: Hi! I enjoyed myself too. 🍽️🍰 Roman: Busy?  Melissa: Confirmed my schedule for the week. Why? 📆 Roman: To be honest, I’d like to see you again.  Melissa: How soon?  Roman: If I said right now, would you block me?  Melissa:  No, but you seem very bold for once. Did Jimmy teach tricks or something? 😂 Roman: No, but I miss you…

His confession, though gentle, lingered in the air once more. Another possible fumble loomed in the distance. It’s either too much or too soon all over again.