Page 116 of Wilde Abandon

Melody left Amy and Danny to haggle over the cost and timeframe for Danny to complete the piece.

Melody made her way to him by the door.The second she was close enough, she reached out and put her hand on his chest, then rose up on tiptoe and kissed him softly.Chastely.

He wanted more.“You were supposed to end class thirty-five minutes ago.Don’t you have work tonight?”

“I do, but so many of them wanted a little extra help.”

He brushed his fingers over her soft cheek.“You’re so generous and kind and supportive.”

“Not sure Amy appreciated my suggestions.”

“They were spot on and now with Danny’s help, she’ll have a logo that stands out in a very competitive market.”

Melody studied his face.“Now tell me what’s wrong?”She read him so easily.“What happened with Tanya?”

“I gave her what she wanted.She’ll be leaving on that trip soon.”

“Okay.Then we should talk about when I’m moving to Boston.”

“Whenever you’re ready.It can’t be soon enough for me.”He turned back to the class.

She put her hand on his cheek and made him look back at her.“Fox, honey, talk to me.”

That sweet endearment meant so much to him and settled in that soft spot with her name written all over it.“She’s…” He shook his head, unsure what to say that wasn’t already obvious.“She isn’t like you.To her, I’m just a means to an end.For you, I’m…”

“Home,” she finished when he couldn’t come up with the right word to describe all she was to him.

He cupped her face and brought her close, touching his forehead to hers.“Yes.Exactly.”He choked up.Couldn’t help it.Not with her.

Her blue eyes softened.“You’re my air, my gravity, my center, my everything.I hope I’m that for you.”

“Why do you think I need you so desperately?Without you…nothing is worth doing, or being.”

“Then nothing can come between us.Nothing and no one can make you feel less than when you know I love you, your brothers love you.We’re your family.Plus a whole bunch of Wildes.So this thing with your mom…let it go.You showed up.You helped her.If she’s not willing to meet you halfway, then accept that you did your part.You got to say what you wanted to say.Rehashing it won’t accomplish anything except to make you more frustrated.”

“I know that’s what I need to do.”

“Doing it is harder.Hope springs eternal.”

He rolled his eyes.“I guess so.”

She grinned.“You took a chance and put yourself out there.You’re sending her on an amazing vacation, which I’m sure made her very happy.”

“Did it?Because it didn’t feel that way.”

That raised a brow.“But she’s been asking for this since you got here.”

He shrugged.“She always brings things back to you.”

“She hates me.”

“She thinks you’re out for my money, but she’s the one who wants me to shower her with gifts and trips.”

She soothed him with soft strokes of her hands up and down his arms.“You do what makes you feel comfortable.You don’t owe her anything, but if it makes you happy to do it for her…” Melody shrugged.“I just want you to know going in that it won’t make a difference.She’ll take it because she thinks you owe her because she’s your mother.”

“She was never that to me.Not in a kind and loving way.Hell, she can’t even be supportive now about you, the one thing that makes me happier than anything.”

“For what it’s worth, my mom sent me a text this morning after I sent her a few pictures of us in Boston.The text said,Marry him!”

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