Page 53 of Love is a Harmony
Noah had never been to Melanie’s apartment, but he managed to get her address out of Jo after quite a bit of groaning—on her part and mostly only because he woke her up. There was a joke in there somewhere about the guy who didn’t know where his wife lived.
Jo asked few questions, and he knew it was only because she felt bad about how she’d reacted.
Taking Stella’s hand, Noah crossed the parking lot in front of the tall building. There was no doorman like Ben and Jo’s building had, nor any fancy columns along the entryway. It was nice, normal, but not extravagant. She didn’t live the same life as the rock stars she worked for. It made sense, but it still surprised him.
“Does Mel live here?” Stella whispered as they stepped up to the intercom by the front door.
“I think so.” He hoped Jo had the right place. Nothing about this held the sophistication he’d always known Melanie for. Her dad was the head of the label, her family prominent.
Yet, she lived a very middle class life.
It wasn’t that there was anything wrong with that. In truth, every time he unraveled a bit more of the mystery that was Melanie Snyder, he only wanted to know more.
He skimmed his fingers down the list of numbers next to the buttons, finding the right one. Hesitating, he glanced down at Stella. This was for her.
At least, that was what he told himself.
He heaved in a breath and hit the button. A low ringing came through.
No answer.
“Stell, she might be sleeping.”
Stella looked up at him through a dark curtain of hair, new tears shining in her eyes.
And that was the moment Noah knew he was sunk, lost, that he would never be able to resist anything this girl wanted. He’d known her less than a month, and he was already wrapped around her finger.
He brushed a hand over her head and nodded before hitting the button again.
A moment later, a voice came through the speaker. “Hello?”
“Mel, can you let us up?”
“Noah?” Sleep faded from her voice. “Yeah, sure.”
The door clicked, and Noah pulled it open, ushering Stella through. They took the elevator to Melanie’s floor, and as the door opened, they caught sight of her in fuzzy pajamas and sleep mussed hair.
“Mel.” Stella ran for her, jumping into her arms.
Melanie shot Noah an alarmed look. “Is everything okay?”
Noah looked down the darkened hall, conscious of how late it was. “We should probably go into your apartment.”
Melanie nodded and turned toward the door she’d left open. Now, this looked like the Melanie he knew. At least, the one he’d known before France.
Little decoration or care. Stark whites and blacks. It was… generic.
The Melanie he’d spent the last few weeks with was anything but generic.
Melanie put Stella down on the couch that looked like it got little use. “What are you guys doing here? And this late?”
Noah perched on the arm of the couch. “If we’re imposing, we can go.” Even though he didn’t want to tear Stella away from her.
Melanie’s expression softened. “You aren’t imposing. But Noah, I just woke up to your voice on my intercom in the middle of the night. Forgive me for wanting to know why.”
“I’m sorry we woke you.”
“I don’t care that you’re here!” She furnished him with a stern look. “I just want to know why.”
