Page 68 of Fresh Start

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When I got to reception, Melody was sitting at the desk with her feet up, reading a novel. She rushed to stand up when she saw me enter and put her book down.

“Have you seen Leo?” I asked.

Melody walked around reception.

“No. What happened? You look—and I never thought I’d say this—terrible,” she said.

“He...he’s misunderstood. He’s got it all wrong. And I need to explain. I need to make all this go away,” I said.

Melody took my hand.

“Sweetie, you’re not making any sense,” she said.

“I’ve fucked it all up. And now he won’t ever trust me again,” I said.

She walked me to the corridor and helped me into my room before she closed the door behind her and sat on my bed.

“Come on.” She patted in front of her. “Tell me everything.”

I sat down where she indicated and told her what had happened. What Leo had seen on the TV, and why he’d gotten upset.

“And now he thinks you’ve taken his role?”

I nodded when she finished speaking.

“But you didn’t?”

I shook my head this time.

“So why are they reporting that you did?” she asked.

“Because I spoke to my agent and asked her to try and get me in the movie as a producer. At least that’s what I thought I did,” I said.

“And why would you do that?” she asked.

I looked at Melody, who was staring at me. She wasn’t passing judgment or harassing me. She was being genuine and giving me a chance to explain, and I was so grateful for her.

“Because I thought if I became part of the production team, I could help Leo. And help undo all the harm I did him all those years ago,” I said.

Melody nodded and grabbed my hand.

“It’s a nice thing that you were trying to do. I know that. But have you ever thought maybe he needed to do this on his own?” she asked.

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t know what to say. Yes, I hadn’t thought this through. Obviously, if I had, none of this would have happened. And neither Alice nor Tracy would have caused so much damage.

Because it had to be them.

“I think you need to get some rest, and first thing tomorrow morning, you can go and talk to him, once you’ve both cleared your heads,” she said and stood up.

“Thank you for lending an ear,” I said as she was opening the door.

She turned around to look at me and smiled.

“Always. For family,” she said and left me alone.

Her words hit me right at the heart. I wanted to be her family. I wanted Leo to be mine, and his family to be my family too. But I didn’t know if it’d be possible anymore.

This was supposed to be a beautiful night and yet had ended up being my worst. Except for that talk with my parents. That had been an unexpected, but pleasant moment.