Page 16 of Melody’s Little Secret

“In my purse.”

“Where’s your purse?”

“Umm…” She looked around as best as she could from her spot in my arms. “There!” She pointed at the couch.

After retrieving it, I locked her door and closed it behind us. We were finally on our way back to the restaurant.

Melody held her body rigid at the beginning of our walk, but as we got closer to my restaurant, she began to relax. I was sure she was exhausted from all of the excitement from the day. We entered through the back and made it into the office without Zio or Delaney seeing us which was what I’d wanted. I didn’t need anyone interfering in the first chance I was getting to take care of my girl.

The office had a private bathroom which was where we kept the first aid kit, so I carefully set Melody down on the closed toilet.

She hissed in pain.

“Poveretta. You really did a number on yourself.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means poor thing or poor baby.”

“Do you speak fluent Italian?”

“I do. Zio and I are first generation Americans, which means our parents immigrated here from Naples.” I was glad we were getting a chance to talk, and her attention was not on her wounds.

“That’s so cool. It’s such a pretty language. I want to learn all of it.”

“A weekend alone with my mamma and you’d be fluent,” I teased. “She has drilled into our heads that we should never forget where we came from. She loves our lives here, but she is still a very proud Italian.”

“Mmm, I bet she makes the best food. Ow! Ow, ow, that burns.” Melody whimpered and I leaned forward to blow on the cut I was cleaning.

“Better?”

Melody gave a smile and a little nod. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,dulcita. I’m almost done. And yes, she does make the best food. Every recipe we serve here is hers or my nonna’s.”

“I can’t wait to try some.”

“Soon. I want to get that wrist looked at. I don’t like how swollen it is.”

“It hurts.”

“I know, dulcita. Let me wrap your legs and then we will go see Seth.”

“I still don’t wanna go to the doctor.” She pouted.

“And I’m still in charge.” I kissed the tip of her nose before I grabbed the bandages and wrapped them around each knee. “There.”

I surveyed my work proudly as I took in the adorable woman whom I was falling for hard and fast. I didn’t understand the overwhelming emotions I felt toward her after the short time we’d spent together, but I didn’t need to. Sometimes two people were just meant to be and that was true for Melody and me. Hopefully, she didn’t fight it too hard, but if she did, then I would spend every moment convincing her that I am right.

“Why don’t you change while I bring my car around back.”

She nibbled the side of her lip. “Okay.”

“Can you do that on your own?” I asked, feeling like she was unsure of herself.

“I don’t know.” Her chin wobbled and she was on the verge of tears once again.

I could see she was upset, but I also wanted to use this moment to teach her something. “If you don’t know if you can do something, what do you think you should do?”

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