Birthday Girl

[jessie]

Happy Birthday Melinda , hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow. Hope you like this short birthday story.

Birthday Girl

It has been a long, and very stressful week. Melinda just wanted to go out Saturday for her birthday, and just relax, and have some fun. She didn't care she didn't have a boyfriend, and after some of the nasty break ups, she was OK with that. She was going to go to her favourite bar, and have a glass of wine, and watch people do karaoke, she might even get up herself. She bought herself a new dress for her birthday. She missed her family they were back in Ohio. She moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania last year to work at a firm, and she enjoyed the job but she was lonely. Her Mother, and Sister sent her a beautiful purse, and sweater, and she wished they were here with her but she knew that wasn't possible. She hated being alone on her birthday, but she knew it would pass, and she would be a year older, and life would go on. She didn't want to feel sorry for herself but she did, and she hoped tonight would cheer her up. She grabbed her purse, and coat, and left to go to Sizzlers for a drink, and some fun.

She hailed a cab, and told the driver where she was going. She got to the bar, she paid, and went inside. The owner knew her, and she was taken to her usual seat. It was a Saturday night it was busy but not really busy yet. She was near the front, but off to the side. She loved this seat she could see the singers, and she loved being close to the speakers so she could hear the music better. She just hoped the singers were better this time, the last time she went home with a major headache. She sat at her table her waitress came over, and asked her what she wanted?

"A glass of white wine please"

"Sure coming up, would you like a menu"?

"Yes please". The waitress smiled as she walked away, and Melinda was watching all the couples come in, and she wished she had a special someone, but she guessed it wasn't in the cards at the moment. She noticed a few men come in, and she couldn't keep her eyes off of them. They all were pretty sexy but 2 of them caught her eye big time. She noticed one of the men look over she put her head down hoping they wouldn't think she was staring but he walked over.

"Hello"

"Hi"

"I'm Ryan". He put his hand out, and Melinda shook it.

"Melinda"

"Melinda pretty name you here all alone"?

"Yes, I came to listen to people do Karaoke"

"Really well your in for a treat, I have a couple of friends that will be up there tonight"

"What about you"? Melinda smiled

"Me not to sure but maybe"

"Me too not to sure if I'm brave enough, but I want to"

"I bet you have a pretty voice, I would love to hear you sing" Melinda smiled as Andy walked over putting his hand out.

"Hello I'm Andy, what is a pretty girl like you sitting here all alone"?

Melinda smiled as Ryan whispered, "Come join us we don't bite well maybe Kevin might". Andy laughed as Melinda didn't know what to do but she said she would love to join them. She got up, and walked over.

Ryan pointed , "Everyone this is Melinda she is joining us tonight. This is Kevin, Jim, Dwight, Darryl, Toby, and Michael our boss"

Michael jumped up, "Oh come sit beside me, I will protect you from these guys"

Ryan spoke up, "No she is fine beside me" Melinda sat beside Ryan, and Andy sat on the other side of her. Michael glared at Ryan, and for the first time he saw a side to Ryan he wasn't really happy with.

To be continued.

[Sanda]

Great start to your new story Jessie. I hope you have a wonderful birthday Melinda.

[jessie]

Chapter 2

Melinda felt a little strange being at the table with all men. They all were different some a little strange. She really liked Ryan, and Andy was hilarious.

"Melinda let me guess what song you will sing for karaoke"? Kevin said as he sat thinking. Melinda smiled not knowing what he would say.

"I got it"

"What song Kevin"?

"I will Survive, you get it, you will survive a night out with the boys" Kevin was laughing, the others laughed , and Melinda laughed too.

"No I know what Song Melinda should sing" Michael said making the other look at him.

"My Guy, because obviously Ryan thinks he is the star of the evening" Melinda smiled, "Michael what is the matter you seem angry"?

"Nothing is the matter not with you , but Ryan was rather rude earlier "

Ryan smiled, "Because I said she could sit beside me Michael stop"

"Oh now the Temp is telling the boss what to do"

"Is there a problem"? Melinda asked confused.

Jim smiled, "No problem, lets order another round on Dwight"

Dwight yelled, "Not on me you all pay for your own drink, but I would pay for Melinda but that would mean she would be singing My Guy song to me"

Melinda looked scared, and Jim whispered, "He had his shots don't worry about him. I will say he thinks he is a ladies man, and I have seen him get the ladies, but he owns a beet farm, I'm just warning you"

"And he is married, and has two kids why are you talking to the lady" Dwight yelled at Jim

"I'm not coming on to the poor girl she just met us all"

Ryan whispered, "Melinda would you like to get a table alone, maybe these guys are to rude for a lady to join us"

"No I'm fine"

The waitress came over, "Hey boys the usual wings, beer, and curly fries right"

"Yeah" Kevin says, the waitress asked Melinda if she would like something different?

"No wings, and fries are great"

"No curly fries Melinda" Kevin said making her smile as Ryan laughed too.

The karaoke was starting up, Michael got up wanting to be the first one up there. He picked his song, and than the music started. Melinda had to smile he was cute, but he loved attention, and he demanded it. He actually stopped the song to tell people to be quiet for other could hear him.

Ryan laughed so did Jim when some people yelled for him to get off the stage or sing. Michael finally started singing, the song he picked was perfect for him.

Don't you want me by Human League. He was singing, "Don't you want me baby, all the time looking at Melinda making her a little nervous. Ryan reached over holding her hand letting Michael know she was not interested, but he was a little confident himself Melinda pulled away making Andy notice. He really liked Melinda too, he just recently broke up with his girlfriend of a few months, and he asked Erin out, and she said he lost his chance so he was a little lonely, and a little nervous to make his move. He knew Ryan got the ladies so easy, but he thought Melinda would be someone he would like to get to know. He was nervous but he finally leaned over, and whispered in her ear.

"Hey are you having a good time"?

"Yes I'm a little nervous maybe sitting with a bunch of guys is not a great idea for a lady"

"We all are pretty great, but I sure would love to take you out alone sometime"

Melinda almost dropped her wine , she had one man singing to her. She had one man holding her hand, and now another was asking her out. She hasn't been on a date in 7 months, and now she has 3 men obviously interested, how was she going to get out of this situation?

To be continued.

[melindajo2000]

Ryan was cool here, I like how protective he was here I think you got the characters down right. I think you esp got Michael right, he can be childish. I hope michael doesnt fight too badly with Ryan, I like their friendship lol:) but I def want Melinda to pick Ryan, This is awesome thank you for writing this for me

[Sanda]

Great update Jessie. OMG Melinda is so lucky having 3 men fighing over her. ;D I hope that Melinda choses Ryan as well. Melinda, I really hope you are having a great birthday.

[jessie]

Chapter 3

Melinda smiled at Andy, "I'm not sure about a date, I just came here to listen to music"

"That is fine you can think about it"

Melinda smiled as Ryan grabbed her hand, and whispered, "Come up we will do a Duet"

"No"

"Yes" He pulled her up on stage, and she went up but felt overwhelmed. She whispered, "Ryan what are you doing"?

Ryan told them the song to use, and the music started. She had to laugh when the song , 'Your the one that I want " came on. She didn't even know the words but it was right in front of her. She felt more foolish running off the stage so she started to sing. Ryan was getting right into it, maybe he had to much to drink or he was just enjoying himself. The others were clapping all except Michael, and Dwight. Melinda felt herself enjoying herself, and she started to sing, but they both sang together looking at each other. Ryan helped her come out of her shell, she would normally never get on stage she was to shy. She didn't like her own voice but others seemed to. She was really having fun something that didn't happen to her normally. She didn't want the song to end, it was like she was in a different world away from her life, and all her pains, and heartaches, and she was having fun, and she didn't want it to end. Ryan grabbed her hand, as the song came to a end. He whispered, "I'm sorry if I pushed you into this, but I knew if I didn't you wouldn't get up here"

"I had fun thank you Ryan"

He didn't know what came over him the crowd were cheering asking for a encore, and he touched her face. She looked into his eyes, and he couldn't help himself he pulled her into a kiss. Melinda could hear the crowd yelling, and whistling, but all she could think about was the kiss. It was beautiful , it was breathtaking it certainly took her breath away. She smiled as Ryan whispered, "I couldn't help myself you are beautiful"

Melinda grabbed his hand, and they both walked off the stage, and back to the table.

Kevin whispered, "Wow that was awesome just like in the movies, how do you get all the pretty girls Ryan"

Melinda looked at Ryan who gave Kevin a look. "Kevin is just being funny"

Melinda smiled as Kevin got up to do a song. He was really good, he did a Beatles song. Melinda thought his voice was awesome. Andy whispered, 'What song should I do"?

"I don't know what do you like"?

"Most songs but I can never choose". He was looking at the list, and picked China Girl by David Bowie. He went up, and she thought all the guys were pretty amazing. She laughed when Jim said he wasn't going up, and Dwight said he needed a few more drinks. Michael was really angry Melinda could see it on his face. He really was unhappy with Ryan, and part of her felt responsible. Michael was cute, but he was not her type. She smiled to herself thinking Ryan was definitely her type, but she was worried he might be a womanizer, and she knew she couldn't handled another one of those types in her life. She was always told she brought the strays home, the bad boys, but she had to admit to herself the bad boys were always the guys she was drawn to . She knew Ryan probably was one of those, but his eyes, and that kiss was drawing her in, and she knew if he asked her out she probably would say yes, and she knew she may regret it, but he did make her feel alive again, and she so needed that.

[Sanda]

Great update Jessie. I LOVE that Melinda and Ryan were doing Karoake at the bar. I wonder who Melinda is going to out with on a date.

[melindajo2000]

This is super awesome thanks Jessie!!!

[jessie]

Chapter 4

Everyone was having a pretty good time listening to karaoke, and eating, and having a few drinks. Ryan wanted some alone time with Melinda, he wasn't really a person who loved being in a group. He was better with one on one relationships. He never really felt like one of the group but he had to admit he liked everyone he worked with. Some of them made him mad most of the time but they all were pretty cool. He didn't like how Michael was acting he has been giving Ryan the eye all night. Ryan could careless he was going to get to know Melinda if she wanted to get to know him better. He leaned over whispering in her ear.

"Melinda lets get out of here, I can take you home we can talk, without all this noise"

Melinda smiled, "What about your friends"?

"They are fine, don't worry about them"

"Sure I should be going anyway, I'm really tired it was a long day" Ryan got up telling the others he was going to get Melinda home.

Kevin smiled, " We are not stupid Ryan you just want alone time with the pretty lady"

"Kevin stop" Ryan said sorry to Melinda but she said it was OK. They said their goodbyes, and were leaving. Michael got up, and ran over to Melinda holding her arm.

"Be careful with him he hurts the women he gets involved with"

Melinda looked at Ryan she could see he was embarrassed. Melinda turned to Michael, and said he was out of line they were just friends. Melinda walked out, Ryan glared at Michael, but said he would deal with him at work Monday. Ryan walked out Jim walked over to Michael.

" Come on lets sit down"

"Why would she fall for him"?

"Michael you push to much you scare women off'

"Really Jim you get Pam, and you are the expert on love" Michael walked away, and Jim shook his head, and walked back to the table too.

Melinda smiled at Ryan when he came outside, and said he was sorry for what Michael said inside there"

"Maybe we should call it a night, I had a lovely time, but maybe I should hail you a cab"

"No I will hail a cab, but I'm making sure you get home. I don't have a car but I can't drive right now anyway I was drinking"

"Ryan I can make it home safely"

"A gentleman would never let a lady go home alone. "

'Fine Ryan"

He hailed a cab, and they got in, and Melinda told the driver where she lived. They got to her place, she didn't know why she did it but she asked him if he wanted to come in for a coffee. He was happy he thought she would push him away, but he said sure he would like that. Ryan paid the cab, and walked up the steps to her house. It was a small but very lovely house. Ryan was impressed he still lived with his Mom, and he knew that was not very attractive. He loved his Mom but he also knew it was time to grow up, and move out, and start being the man his Father would want him to be. He never told anyone about his life, and his past. Melinda opened the door to her house, and Ryan walked in, and she shut the door locking it. She took his coat, and hung it up, and they went into the kitchen. She told Ryan to sit down, she walked over starting to make the coffee. Ryan never was a shy person but he didn't want to ruin any chance of getting to know her. He was a pro at making moves but he knew she was different, and special , and he had to go slow. He was scared to really talk because he was not a great judge when it came to saying the right thing to a woman. He has made many ladies cry in the past, and he was not proud of it. He really wanted to grow up, and find someone special, and maybe have a future that he could be proud of.

Melinda brought the coffee, and sat down, but asked him if he wanted something to eat. He said no, she smiled as he took a sip of coffee.

'Ryan you look nervous is everything OK"?

"Yes it is fine, your place is really nice"

"It is small but I like it, where do you live"?

"God this is embarrassing you will think I'm some loser, but I'm not"

"Why would I think that way"?

"I live with my Mom, I didn't want to leave her alone. I have in the past but I always go back"

"That is sweet Ryan"

"You really feel that way"?

"Yes I really do"

Ryan smiled as they both drank their coffee.

[melindajo2000]

poor Michael, I miss him on the show I loved this chapter, ryan is so spoiled lol I hope he is good to Melinda, thanks for updating this awesome story!

[jessie]

Chapter 5

Melinda, and Ryan went into the living room, and sat down. He put his coffee down, and Melinda held her mug.

"Melinda can I be honest with you, I really want to get this out in the open, because my past always comes back to haunt me"

"What is on your mind"?

"Well I live with my Mom because I never saved money to live on my own. I worked at a company, and I got a promotion, and I was living the life of a real live rich guy, and I blew it on drugs, and drinking. I hurt someone that loved me no matter what I did, but one day she moved on, and I lost her for good. I ended up losing everything, I went from living in my own condo, helping run a major company, and I ended up back home living with my Mom. She is amazing you would love her, she would do anything for me, and maybe that is why I never grew up. I knew I could count on her, but I guess that is what Mothers do. I really should not drink but I want to feel like part of the group, my real downfall was drugs, but I'm clean I promise. I want to change my life, I want to save my money, get my own place, and have someone to share my life with. I know we just met but I really feel comfortable around you, and I know you would not let me get away with the crap Kelly let me get away with. I want to be a boyfriend someone can depend on. I would like to court them, and maybe when the time is right I will marry but not until we know it is what we both want. I will tell you I'm afraid of marriage, but I think that will all change when I find the right woman"?

"I have a lot of issues too Ryan, I have trust issues. I have been hurt, and I will not stand by, and let anyone hurt me. I would like to settle down too, I want to be a Wife, but I would love to be a Mother. I don't want to be one of those people that marry, and divorce months or years later. I would love to find the man of my dreams, and I think courting is a wonderful idea if that is what your asking me"

"Yes, maybe we can take it slow. I would love to take you to a movie, and dinner my treat. I have gone dutch in the past maybe that is why most young ladies gave up on me"

"Dutch would be fine with me"

"No I want to do this right, but you have to help me , I will make mistakes, and I need you to put me in my place when I do."

"So Ryan what should we do for our first date"?

"Well I was thinking about taking you to my place, and meet my Mom"


Melinda smiled, "You want me to meet your Mom, what if she doesn't like me"?

"She will you are sweet, and she will love that"

Melinda smiled, as she leaned into Ryan, and he wrapped his arm around her, and pulled her close. He felt happy for the first time in a long time, he found someone he really likes, and she actually made him forget about Kelly. He would always treasure the times he had with Kelly, and she was his first true love, but he blew it, but this time he was going to do it right, he just had to, because he had a keeper, and he wasn't going to let her go.

[Sanda]

Great update Jessie. Ryan and Melinda are so cute and adorable together in this story. I am so happy that Ryan is going to take Melinda to meet his mother. I hope you update this awesome story again really soon.

[melindajo2000]

this is so good, I am so glad you updated. I hope Ryan doesnt blow it this time