Page 28 of Melody’s Little Secret

“Yeah.”

“Are you hiding because as soon as I walked in through your unlocked apartment door, I caught you offering to bake when you’re supposed to be resting?”

“That sounds like a good reason to hide.” I nodded slowly.

“Mmhmm. Naughty girl. We’ll talk about it later. When’s the last time you took some medicine?”

“Don’t worry, I have timers set for medicine,” Laney assured him.

“Good. Thank you. How about some dinner then?”

My stomach rumbled at the idea of being filled with real food. We had snacked pretty much all day, but real food sounded really good.

“What did you bring?”

“I’ve got a couple of pieces of pizza, a slice of lasagna, and some meat balls and rolls to make a sandwich.”

“How many people are you feeding?”

“Just us. It’s all food that was left after the dinner rush. I grabbed an assortment before Ashton came and collected the rest for anyone on duty at the firehouse.”

“You donate leftover food to the fire people? You’re like a hero.” I meant it from the bottom of my heart as I fell even more in love with him than I ever thought possible. It was twenty-four hours since we’d decided to become a thing and I was already fully and completely invested. My stomach clenched in fear.

“Thank you,dulcita, but it’s just food we would have to throw away so we’re glad to do it.” He stood up from the couch and took the bags to the kitchen table and then came back to me. Scooping me off the couch, he took me to the table as well.

“I can walk, you know,” I told him as he sat me down on one of the chairs.

“I know, but I like carrying you.”

My table was a tiny bistro style with only two chairs.

“I’m sorry I don’t have enough room for everyone.” It was perfect for me, but in the short time I had had a roommate, I’d realized that the apartment wasn’t really made for two separate people. Maybe a couple who shared everything, but that would even be pushing it. As much as I loved having Laney so close, I was glad that the situation was only temporary.

“We don’t need to sit,piccola. You don’t need to apologize for things that are outside of your control,” Zio said in a slightly scolding tone.

“Okay.” The men moved around my tiny kitchen like they’d been there a million times as they gathered some utensils, napkins, and plates. I blushed at the idea that they were opening my cabinets and seeing all of my crazy mismatched stuff I’d been collecting from thrift stores. That included anything I ever came across that was a cute shape or pattern. It was a silly thing to get embarrassed about.

They laid out the spread of food and we all ate and made small talk. Conversation flowed easily as the four of us laughed and talked about everything and nothing all at once. It was comfortable and fun and for the first time in a very long time, it felt like I was home.

“Before we go, you and I have some things to discuss in private,dulcita.” Boz raised a brow at me, and my tummy danced, and my girly parts tingled.

“Why? I’ve been good. I sat on the couch like all day except for bathroom breaks and I let Laney do everything.” It had been hard, but I was so grateful for my bestie.

“I know, you’re not in trouble. We just need to establish a few things before your work week starts. Shall we continue in your bedroom?”

“Bow chicka wow wow,” Laney sang from the other side of the couch and laughed.

“Behave,” Zio said as he laughed.

“I do what I want,” Laney sassed and stuck her tongue at him. Seemingly unfazed, Zio shook his head.

“For now,piccola. For now.”

“You two have fun, we’ll be back.” Boz picked me up again, but this time we were heading to my bedroom. Memories of the night before flooded through me and all I could think about was doing some of those things in my bed.

“Alright,dulcita. I’ve written down what Seth said, what you and I discussed, and a few other rules I’d like you to abide by. I’m open to discussing things, but none of these rules are arbitrary.”

He set me on the bed and went back to close the door. I nibbled the side of my lip.

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