Page 80 of Love is a Harmony
Jo:I don’t like happy Noah.
Ben:Merry Christmas from me and Piper. We love you, Mel.
They loved her. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, sucking in a breath before moving on to the final text.
Dax:Merry Christmas.
That text was the most true to form. Two words. Succinct, no embellishments. Melanie couldn’t help but wonder how he’d handle today with Noah, Jo, and Stella.
She wished she could be there, but she wouldn’t abandon her dad on his favorite day of the year.
As if on cue, her phone rang. “Morning, Dad.”
“Hey, sweetie.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Are you coming over for breakfast?”
“Yep. I’ll head over now.”
“See you soon.”
She hung up and slid from the bed, not bothering to shower. It was a tradition with her dad to eat breakfast in their pajamas. She knew what Noah and the rest expected her to do today, and it was her own fault. She normally told people they spent Christmas at the country club to avoid them knowing the truth.
Every year, she enjoyed the one day she had her dad to herself. Neither of them worked, and the rule was they didn’t discuss work. Instead, they lounged around eating too much food and playing board games.
If any of the rock stars knew their secret, they’d never see her and her dad the same way. She understood the need to keep up appearances, to appear professional and a bit snobbish, a look her dad perfected over the years.
Combing her fingers through her blonde hair, she tied it back with the hairband on her wrist before stuffing her feet into her tennis shoes.
Purse and keys in hand, she left and headed to her dad’s house about twenty minutes away.
He smiled when he opened the door. An apron claiming he was a master chef wrapped around his waist.
“Lying to yourself, I see.” She shook her head and leaned in to kiss his cheek.
He looked down at the apron. “I can make breakfast.”
Neither she nor her dad ever learned to cook. They worked too much and relied on takeout or meal delivery services. Melanie preferred the latter for the healthier options. She walked into the kitchen, taking notice of the mess across his normally immaculate space. Cutting boards with avocados and onions. A bowl filled with whisked eggs.
Green onion pieces littered the counter. “You made omelets?” He normally complained about her insistence he eat healthy on Christmas.
He laughed. “For you. Pancakes for me.”
“Bacon?”
“Turkey bacon.” He smiled proudly.
Her mom died when she was young, leaving him to raise a little girl on his own. He hadn’t always been around, but he’d done okay. He kept her mom’s memory alive with stories. She’d loved Christmas, and that was why Melanie’s dad took so much pleasure in their simple holiday.
Justin had loved it too. His family and hers celebrated together when they were kids and later until Justin wasn’t there anymore. He was the cook in the family, making massive Christmas dinners.
She could still see him standing in this very kitchen with a giant grin on his face. It was his happy place.
Thoughts of Justin were normally a punch to the gut, but this time, she found herself enjoying the image, savoring it without the overwhelming sadness.
Her dad wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I know we haven’t seen eye to eye lately, but I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” She sent him a smile before walking toward the stove. “Let’s get this cooked. I’m starving.”
She knew this kitchen like the back of her hand, not because she cooked, but because she’d grown up in this house. Every inch was familiar to her, too familiar. Even her old room hadn’t changed since she moved out when she married Justin.
