Morgan rolled her eyes and sighed "God, you really are fixated on her aren't you?"
But James had to ask. Morgan had said something earlier about things with Melanie being complicated, but hadn't been able or willing to elaborate. With only two girls left in the running this was now critical information. Was she seeing someone? Did she have a crazy ex?
"I just needed to know what was complicated about her" James asked, dropping his guard for a moment "I really like her, Morgan"
Morgan suddenly abandoned the ice queen act and smiled sympathetically. She looked around to check nobody was listening.
"I just meant.." Morgan searched a moment for the right words "she's grieving"
"Grieving?" James was slightly taken aback by this "for who?"
"Her parents." Morgan looked sad for her "Both of them. A few months ago. It's such a shame"
James felt like he had been punched in the gut. He recalled the sadness in Mel's voice when she had referenced her parents earlier. The poor girl! And he had been selfishly worrying about trivial matters like ex boyfriends getting in his way.
"So I shouldn't pick her?" James asked.
"I didn't say that" Morgan answered after a pause "if you like Mel as much as you seem to think you do you might be just what she needs. Just don't mess her about"
James nodded solemly "Do you know Mel well? What's she like?"
Morgan laughed softly "you really get to know someone before you fall for them, huh?"
James knew he sounded ridiculous, but despite loving every moment of the brief time he had spent with Melanie he still knew so little about her.
"She's a really nice girl and a talented witch" Morgan answered "but we're not friends. I'm afraid I can't tell you her innermost desires"
Well, that was as much as James was going to get and it was all extremely helpful. But what about Meghan? She had been a lot more open with him and Morgan's championing of her earlier suggested she didn't see any red flags. But could it be a good idea to get a bit of extra intel before their meet up? Any particular likes or dislikes he hadn't yet determined for himself? He naturally wanted things with Meghan to go as well as possible.
But he was starting to feel bad about constantly pumping Morgan for her thoughts on other girls. As surprising as the turnaround had been, he considered her a friend now and genuinely cared for her. And like Melanie, there was a sadness about Morgan he didn't want to ignore.