Page 3 of Melody’s Little Secret

“Uh huh. If you’re asking if she’s a Little, then I don’t have a definitive answer on that, but I wouldn’t be surprised. The way she talks, dresses, and carries herself. Yeah, I definitely think there is something there even if she doesn’t know it yet.” I hadn’t really taken the time to think about that aspect until this moment, but it was true. Her demeanor screamed Little.

“Sounds like you have some work to do. While you’re at it, see if she’s got a friend for your lonely, overworked brother, would ya? When are you going to see her again?”

“I’m giving her time to make our samples. I gave her my card and if she doesn’t call in a few days, then I’ll make the next move.”

“Great, you need a little excitement in your life. You’re boring.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, have you written out the specials for the day?” I switched into work mode because lunch was quickly approaching and we had a ton to do, but the sweet little baker stayed neatly tucked into the back of my mind as I worked.

Chapter Two

Melody

Stretching out on my couch, I shook my head as if my best friend since third grade, Delaney Reid, could see me through the phone. We’d been talking for hours as I did my best to convince her to move out to Hopevale. She needed my help though she was being stubborn.

“You can come here, bestie!” My words came out slurred from overindulging in wine.

“You moved across the country.”

“You don’t have to get on a plane. Buses are way more comfy than they used to be and there’s a depot a few minutes outside of town.”

“You’re working all the time,” she huffed. “What would I even do?”

“Come work with me. I’ll pay you.”

“Does that mean business is booming?”

Chewing on my thumbnail, I thought about how to hype up my store without lying. I hadn’t marketed as much as I should have. Fear held me back more often than I cared to admit. Selfishly, I wanted Laney here with me so I wouldn’t have to face the crushing loneliness without her. We went from seeing each other almost every day to being a million miles away. Or at least it felt like we were a million miles away.

“Booming-ish,” I admitted. “I do really love this shop. Most of the customers are lovely, but I haven’t really done any advertising or networking, and if I did, I don’t know if I could handle the extra orders without help.” I knew Laney well. She did not do charity and she would rather live on the streets than “burden” someone she loved.

“Everything is sort of a mess right now, Mel.” She blew out a long breath.

I wanted to hug her and play silly games and cuddle on the couch and watch movies. Anything to make my bestie not sound so defeated. I hated the tone of her voice when usually she lifted me up when times were tough.

“I’m a good cleaner, Laney.”

Despite the heaviness of our conversation topics, she giggled. “Yes, you are. Tell me more about this Hopevale. How are the neighbors?”

Switching topics to avoid whatever the heck else was on her mind cemented my theory; she was worse off than she was going to admit without a whole hell of a lot of coaxing. Though my wine-addled brain probably wasn’t the best judge at the moment.

“Hot.” I downed the rest of my glass of wine and poured the remaining liquid from the bottle. “Er, I mean, nice.” My pussy clenched from the memory of the image of Bosco with his hands working the dough. That man was not afraid to get messy.

“Did you meet someone?” Laney’s voice pepped up. She loved some good dating stories.

“There’s this really hot guy who owns the pizza shop a few doors down from me. He’s super handsome, works with his hands. Gave me this wink like he could rearrange my insides.”

“Mel!” She snorted through the phone. “Don’t fall in love with the first man you see.”

“You don’t understand. He’s got these hands–”

“Yeah, definitely don’t fall for his game. If he’s got hands—”

“Laney! Just pack up your important stuff and come out here. We’ll be okay until you get on your feet.”

“I have nothing. Jake the Jackal cleared the apartment. He basically took everything but my clothes and some pictures. I hated that furniture, so it wouldn’t be a big deal to replace it if I didn’t just get fired.”

“It’s just stuff, bestie. Unless it’s something really special to your heart–let it go.”

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