Page 27 of Love is a Harmony
Melanie left the two of them talking, cycling between grief and lightness. She needed some space. Sliding on her coat, she grabbed her phone and slipped out into the freezing cold, overgrown garden.
Finding a stone bench, she sat, her eyes skimming over the ivy creeping up the walls and out across the fields surrounding the house. She imagined it was a good life here, one so different from her busy city job and apartment in a crowded building. Here, she could go for a run without seeing a single soul.
She wasn’t sure if that would be simpler or lonelier. At least in L.A., she had her dad.
Sighing, she dialed his number. He answered on the second ring.
“Mel, are you okay?”
“Yes, Dad. I’m fine. I told you I was in France.”
“And then, you didn’t contact me again. How are you, really?”
She tried to think of an answer for that question. Her mind spun with the events of the last couple days. Noah now had a kid to raise. She’d jumped on a plane to help him without a second thought. What did that say about her? Would she have done that for any of her other clients?
She already knew the answer to that.
“Dad, I know I said I’d only be gone this week, but I might need some extra time.”
He was quiet for a long moment. “This isn’t like you. Things are falling apart here. Henry is overwhelmed with meeting requests for you. His phone log is miles long. We still don’t know where in the world Noah Clarke is, and your little band of rock stars are calling nonstop to see if you’ve returned yet.”
She lifted her eyes to the stars above. They were always obscured by the city lights back home, but here they shone brightly.
“You still there, Mel?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I left so suddenly. It wasn’t professional of me, but this… it’s something I have to do. I need to be here.”
“I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me why?”
“No, Dad. Do you trust me?”
“Of course, sweetie. I’m just worried is all.”
She smiled at that. Even when she had nothing else, she’d always had her dad. “Don’t be. I’m fine. I promise. I’ll let you know when I’ll be home.”
They said their goodbyes, and she sat there a moment longer, soaking in the stillness. Across the field, the lights of the Martins’ house told her they were all home and bustling around, enjoying time with their large family. If Stella lived with them, she’d get siblings and two parents who’d take care of her.
She’d never want for anything.
Living with Noah wouldn’t be easy for her. There’d be tours and press. But she’d have him, and he was worth choosing.
She shook those thoughts out of her mind and stood.
When she reentered the house, Noah looked over from the stove and offered her a smile she wanted to catch and keep with her when the next wave of grief hit him.
She heard the TV in the living room, which meant Stella was preoccupied.
“Gotta say.” Noah chuckled. “I’m excited to seetheMelanie Snyder eating weenies and beanies.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. It smelled delicious, but she wouldn’t admit that to him.
“Just that you don’t seem like the kind who’d eat hot dogs.”
Melanie narrowed her eyes and walked forward into the tiny kitchen until her chest almost bumped his. She reached for the plate behind him where cut up hot dogs waited to be added to the beans. Pulling one free, she popped it in her mouth, willing herself to chew.
It was slimy and cold, but she tried not to show the disgust on her face.
Noah leaned in closer to her, dropping his voice in a way she was sure made the entire female population fall madly in love with him. “Love.” His breath warmed her ear.
