Page 10 of Melody’s Little Secret

“Uh, I walked right up to the counter. We talked for like five minutes and you acted like we’ve never even met before. Why are you pretending? This is getting really old.” I could feel my temper rising as my voice rose along with it.

“There’s been a misunderstanding, Melody.” He smiled like this was some kind of joke.

Yeah, well the joke was about to be on him when I told him just where to shove it.

“No, I think it’s quite freaking clear.” I patted Tira’s head one last time and got to my feet. “This seems to be some sort of game to you, but I’m not a game.”

“I don’t play those sorts of games. I’d like to explain if you’ll calm down and give me a chance.”

I opened my mouth to really give him a piece of my mind when a familiar voice had me spinning around on my heels.

“Bestie!” Delaney shouted, running towards us, showing up seemingly out of nowhere.

“Laney! I thought your bus was arriving tomorrow!” Had I forgotten what date and time she was supposed to get here?

“Nope! Today is the day. I’m here.” She opened her arms wide.

Chastising myself mentally, I fretted and didn’t hug her yet since the guilt eating away at me increased tenfold with her standing next to me. Delaney pouted but dropped her arms. I’d been pushing myself so hard with the shop and not giving myself any time to rest. It was no surprise that I mixed up the dates on something as important as what time my best friend was arriving in town.

“I’m so sorry!” I hoped she didn’t think I wasn’t psyched to see her and forgot. It wasn’t like that at all. “I mixed up the dates and must have set an alarm for tomorrow. I’ve been so busy,” I rambled as I made excuses for myself.

Bosco grumbled his displeasure, but I was in no mood to listen to his opinion on the matter.

“I had your address, and it wasn’t that far of a walk from the bus station. I just dropped my bags at the apartment.” She threw her arms around me, showing me she wasn’t upset at me, and it was all in my head. I squeezed her back, thrilled she had come all the way across the country by herself. “I just thought about if it was me and where I would be if I wasn’t at work or at home and knew I’d find you here.”

“Did you leave your apartment unlocked?” Bosco asked incredulously.

“It’s Hopevale,” I insisted. “Nothing bad happens here.”

“Please lock your door, Melody.” He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose like I was the most frustrating human on the planet.Yeah well it takes one to know one, buddy.

“Excuse me, but I agree with–” Delaney released me and held her hand out to the man currently glowering at me.

“Bosco.” He replaced his stern glare with a smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Delaney.”

“Welcome to Hopevale.”

“Thank you. You have nice hands.” She giggled at our little inside joke and I slapped her shoulder.

“Are you staying with Melody in the apartment above the shop? If it’s like the apartment above my shop, there isn’t a lot of room up there.”

“Yes, she is,” I answered for my friend, butting in between them. “It’s plenty big enough for the two of us. We’ve always wanted to live in the same house. We’ll be fine.”

Laney raised her eyebrows at me, but something mischievous flitted across her features. “I tried to call you, Mel, but your phone went straight to voicemail.” Was she attempting to get me into trouble, even though Bosco and I were not in any sort of relationship let alone a dynamic like that?

“Shoot.” Plucking my phone out of my purse, I cringed. “My phone’s dead. I must have forgotten to charge it.”

Embarrassment flooded my system. Forgetting to charge my phone, the device I used for all of my reminders and alarms, was not like me. I shouldn’t really be surprised though, after burning two trays of cookies, I had called it a “night” at two in the morning. I barely made it into my apartment and ended up collapsing onto my couch the moment I saw it, still wearing my flour-covered clothing. I was restless and exhausted.

Delaney’s face fell, and her lips drew into a straight line. It was like she was finally starting to realize things were worse than I’d let on. “You never do that, bestie.”

“It’s no big deal.” I forced a laugh, but she read into it, knowing it was actually a bigger deal than just forgetting. Soon enough she would likely witness a long list of self-care items I currently wasn’t doing. “We have lots to catch up on.” Looping my arm through hers, I tugged her away from the park bench. Bosco and his cute pup followed us.

“You should bring Delaney to the restaurant tonight,” Bosco offered. “Dinner’s on me.”

“Thank you for the invitation, but we’re busy.” I rolled my eyes and quickened my pace, but he placed his hand on my shoulder to get my attention.

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