Page 20 of Melody’s Little Secret

“You already offered to cover lunch; you don’t have to feed an army of Littles during movie night.” Seth cracked up. “They can eat several pies,” he added.

“It’s my restaurant and I can spoil my friends as much as I’d like,amico.” Boz snickered but there was so much warmth in his statement. “Capisci?”

“You’re impossible.” Seth shook his head, but he was smiling.

“Thank you, Boz. We won’t go overboard and order the whole menu.” Amanda giggled. “At least not this time. Anyway, let me get this little cutie back to his brothers and sisters.” She released my hand. “I’ll be back in a few.”

Amanda returned in no time and pulled up a reading application on her phone while we were waiting for Seth to get the x-ray machine ready. Soon, I was completely relaxed while Amanda read me an epic fairytale complete with twin princes and two princesses who lived in the most beautiful castle. They had lots of friends who loved animals and were kind to everyone they met. There were a few not so nice people in their kingdom, but their hearts were eventually won over by the sweetness of the princesses. They had loving princes who doted on them, took care of them, and allowed them the freedom to play inside and outside their castle. Seth came into the room just as Amanda was finishing the story.

“And then the princesses were given an entire dessert banquet! They had every flavor of cupcakes, creampuffs, cookies, brownies, and ice cream sundaes that you can imagine. And their princes let them eat all of it!”

“Let me see that line, Panda.” Seth waggled his eyebrows at my silly friend.

“Okay, I may have added that part in,” she said giggling. “But they were allowed to have one dessert after they ate their dinner.”

“Mm-hm.” Seth kissed her forehead.

I loved watching the two of them interact. They were obviously so comfortable in their roles and so deeply in love. I wanted that.

“The x-ray machine is warmed up so let’s go to the other room and take pictures of this injury so we can start helping you feel better,” Seth informed us. “Amanda and Boz, you two wait here. We’ll be back in a second and then Manda can tell another story.”

Boz kissed my temple before allowing Seth to lift me up and take me out of the room. It was so easy to see Seth’s Daddy side as he carried me out, and it made me feel so lucky to have taken that leap of faith and moved out here. If I found a Daddy so quickly, at least once I actually started looking, then Delaney absolutely could find someone who would take that role in her life!

Though I wanted to be wrapped up in blankets in my own bed by now, it was nice to have someone else taking care of me for once. Allowing Boz to make a few decisions proved to be the best idea ever, and hopefully everything else would work out. Seth didn’t seem to think my wrist was broken, but we were taking x-rays as a precaution.

My heart filled with warmth. I didn’t like being in pain, and there was still fear over what would happen with my shop tomorrow, but right now I was exactly where I needed to be.

Chapter Nine

Melody

I’d been an exemplary patient, or so Bosco had assured me. After Seth finished reading the x-rays, he let me know there was nothing broken. Thanking my lucky stars and promising him and Amanda free pastries the next time they came to town, I blocked out everything else he said. I knew it was important to rest, my lack of self-care had resulted in a fall that could have sidelined my business. My wrist would be sore for a few weeks, and I was supposed to rest it, but I didn’t have the luxury of time when it came to running my business. I’d have to make do with the injury.

My stomach grumbled, reminding me that I had not only skipped dinner but lunch as well. “I’m starving,” I announced.

“I’ve got leftover chicken and broccoli alfredo.” Boz sat me down at the kitchen table after insisting that he continue to carry me into his house no matter what Seth said about the scrapes not being too deep. “I’ll heat a plate for you.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,dulcita.” He fixed the plate of my favorite meal and brought it to me.

Seeing the logo splashed out on the bag suddenly brought heat to my face. Topping Masters. Was that a clever hint to the dynamic that he and Enzio enjoyed? Curiosity got the best of me. I stilled, a huge forkful of pasta held to my lips. “Topping Masters?”

He cocked an eyebrow likely waiting for me to elaborate. “The name of the restaurant.”

“Is that some sort of double entendre?”

A wicked smirk formed on his lips. “Well, pizza isn’t the only thing my brother and I like to top,dulcita.”

Hearing the confirmation from his mouth did funny things to my tummy. “After we bumped into each other at the park, I thought you might not speak to me again. I’m so sorry for acting like a bitch.”

“You didn’t act like a bitch, Melody. Do not refer to yourself or your behavior in such a negative fashion again.Capisci?”

“Since we aren’t in any sort of dynamic, Bosco, I can say whatever I like.” My brat was back and ready to see if this man was going to put his money where his mouth was.

“I’m rather fond of assigning lines,dulcita. Some long, lengthy sentences regarding positive traits of your personality. It’s better to fill your head with affirmations rather than negative thoughts,” he continued in his frustratingly calm fashion.

“Listen—”

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