Page 38 of Save the Drama for your Mama
I shook my head. “You sound like Melody. She thinks there’s a ghost in the house.”
“She’s even smarter than I thought,” he said, his eyes twinkling at her.
Melody did a little curtsy. “Thank you.”
Alfredo smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Young lady, how would you like to join the two of us for lunch this Sunday at noon at McP’s? I’d like to chat with you about a little restoration project of my own. And the best part is, Cooper’s picking up the tab.”
Had he just bamboozled me?
“That sounds wonderful,” Melody said before I could object. “I’d love to.”
“Wonderful!” he beamed. “It’s a date!”
A date? More like a set-up I wanted no part of.
This “restoration project” he dangled in her face was just a ruse to get us together. I was almost positive my mother mentioned that his house had been remodeled ten years ago.
It was time to put an end to his charade.
“You don’t need me there if you two are going to talk business,” I said, wondering how he would respond to that.
Melody gave me a playful smile. “What's the matter, Cooper? Afraid you might actually enjoy my company?”
I scoffed. “You keep telling yourself that.”
Alfredo chuckled. “Methinks you doth protest too much.”
Melody's eyes lit up in recognition. “Hamlet! Such a classic.”
“One of my favorites,” Alfredo agreed. “It ranks up there withPride and Prejudice.”
Melody suddenly had more energy. “Yes! Totally! I agree wholeheartedly.”
I rolled my eyes. “Please, that soppy melodrama again? Give me a break.”
Alfredo waved his hand. “Pay no attention to Cooper here. He’s got a chip on his shoulder because Hollywood passed on adapting his novel in favor of Austen’s masterpiece.”
Melody’s eyes widened with this newfound knowledge, placing her hands on her hips. “That’s why you were so dismissive of the story when we met at the bookstore. It had nothing to do with the story itself!” She grinned as if she had known the truth all along.
I shrugged. “Guilty as charged.”
Instead of being upset, Melody surprised me when she squeezed my arm, and her face went from amusement to compassion. “Getting passed over like that on a movie deal must have been heartbreaking, but they will recognize your talent when the time is right. Keep believing.”
Her sincerity and encouragement blindsided me.
Swallowing hard, I locked gazes with her.
I’d been kind of a beast to her since we met, yet here she was, showing me kindness when I wasn’t sure if I even deserved it.
What kind of person did that?
“Thank you—I appreciate the sentiment,” I said, then surprised myself by adding, “Of course you’re welcome to join us for lunch. I look forward to it.”
Melody stared at me like I was crazy, which probably wasn’t far off target. I had no idea what had come over me, but I was seeing her in a whole different light.
After saying goodbye to Alfredo, we walked back in silence, occasionally looking up at the stars. I stole a few glances at her, wondering what she was thinking.
Back inside the house, we decided to call it a night. I told Melody she could knock on my door if she needed anything at all.
