Page 11 of Melody’s Little Secret

“May I talk to you for a moment away from your friend?” He asked in a way that wasn’t actually a question and my insides did that swirly junk.

I shouldn’t have done it, I shouldn’t have turned around and looked into his chocolate-brown eyes, because I suddenly wanted to settle whatever was going on between us. If only I had the energy. “I’ve got a lot going on today.”

“I understand. Do you think you can find some free time this week for me?”

“Sure. I have your business card; I’ll text you my number.” I waited for him to walk around us, partly because I didn’t want to walk home fast because I was tired, but mostly because I wanted to watch him walk away.

“Have a beautiful day, ladies. Stay safe and lock your doors,” he ordered without looking back.

I stuck my tongue out at his retreating back and Laney giggled.

“I saw that,” he said, turning around and winking at me.

I froze for a second unsure of what to do until Laney tugged me forward.

“Behave,” he warned one last time as we continued on our walk.

Leading Laney out of the park, I made sure we were far out of earshot before opening up to her.

“Do you think Bosco could tell I was annoyed at him?”

“Uh, yeah. The dog could tell you were annoyed with him. What the heck is going on? Last time we talked you were all about the Italian Daddy.”

“That was before I went into the restaurant, and he pretended we never met.”

“What? Could he have been joking? It sure seemed like he knew exactly who you were when he was bossing you around.”

“I don’t know. At the restaurant, Bosco kept calling me ‘piccola’ but today he never said it. Not once. Something is seriously off and it's making me cranky.”

“Swoon!” She giggled. “If I had someone calling me sweet nicknames, I wouldn’t be cranky. I’d immediately fall for him. He had to have been messing with you.”

“Well, he didn’t clear it up today,” I grumbled. The truth was I hadn’t given him a chance even though he had wanted to explain. He and I could sort it out later.Or he could sort me out.“But he’s wickedly handsome,” I nearly swooned from the memory of his growly threat. “And those forearms.”

“You only warned me about hands, Mel.” Laney nodded knowingly. “His forearms are in a class of their own.”

“Yeah, they are. Anyway, you’re going to love it here,” I announced. “I made two new friends. I told them you were coming here and they, well, you’ll never believe it, but I think they’re Little.”

“You think they’re a little what?”

“No, bestie,” I giggled. “Little like us.”

“I haven’t let my Little side out in a long time,” she confessed. “I’d love to have some new friends. Jake the Jackal was not a Daddy.”

We entered my apartment. Small but tidy. Bosco’s concerns popped up in the back of my brain. It would be very close quarters, but we were total besties, we’d totally be fine. I pushed any and all concerns away and focused back on the conversation.

“Jake’s behavior in the beginning probably made it easier for you to overlook some of your wants,” I recalled as Laney made her way into the kitchen, already moving around the space like it had been her home for months instead of minutes.

“Yeah. I’m not doing that anymore and you shouldn’t either,” she said as she fixed us one of our favorite drinks–half hot cocoa, half coffee with whipped cream and sprinkles on top. “I’m swearing off men for a while, but when I’m ready, then a yummy Daddy is at the top of my needs lists. It’s no longer a negotiable thing for me. What about you? Mr. Sexy pizza man has all the Daddy qualities and I met him for like five minutes. Do you think you two could become a thing?”

“It’s been two whole years since I’ve had a serious relationship.” I sipped from the mug, getting whipped cream all over my mouth. “Maybe if he wasn’t acting so weird.”

“Well, let’s go to the restaurant for dinner. Then you two can talk and work this out.”

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “I don’t want to see him tonight.”

“Yes, you do.”

“Fine.”

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