Page 88 of Love is a Harmony
Releasing him, she straightened her blouse and pressed the creases from her pants. “It’s probably time to go save Stella from my dad.” She opened the door and let Noah through first before following him into the familiar hall.
Her coworkers bustled from office to office, only sparing them small glances. It wasn’t unusual for a rock star to visit the label’s offices, and their jobs depended on not being fanboys and girls. They had to remain professional at all times.
Melanie flashed Noah a secret smile before they reached the double glass doors that led to the courtyard. Tall hedges closed in the cobblestone paths that surrounded a series of fountains. It was where many of her colleagues ate their lunches every day.
Melanie spotted her dad and Stella right away. They sat on the high ledge of the farthest fountain. Her dad held a coffee while Stella nibbled on a cake pop. Apparently, they’d hit up the Starbucks on the floor above.
Stella waved them over, a bright smile on her face. This kid was going to give Melanie whip lash with her changing moods, but Melanie understood it more than most people. She’d been the same way after Justin died. Some days she’d tried so hard to be okay she went overboard with the cheer. Other days, she hadn’t tried at all.
“Dad.” Melanie shielded her eyes from the sun.
To her surprise, her dad had a warm smile on his lips. “Stella here was just telling me about the upcoming trip to London.”
Noah pressed his lips into a thin line, and Melanie wondered if he’d told Stella it was more than just a vacation to see family.
She wished she could go with them—not that Noah had asked—but after taking so much time off for France, it wasn’t a good idea. She figured Noah didn’t need to bring his fake wife home to the family. From everything she’d heard, they wouldn’t approve.
Melanie pasted on a smile. “We’ll miss you while you’re gone.”
“Well.” Her dad got to his feet. “Melanie and I have to be in a meeting in a few minutes.”
Noah took Stella’s hand. “We should get going. I’ve been working on songs for the new album, and Piper promised to FaceTime to help with the lyrics.”
He looked like he wanted to kiss her but thought better of it. Instead, he gave her a half smile, nodded to her dad, and led Stella away.
Melanie crossed her arms over her chest. “We don’t have a meeting until after lunch.”
“Didn’t you get the memo?” He put a hand on her back. “It was moved. A few members of the team are leaving for New York this afternoon.”
The notice was probably buried in all the emails she hadn’t gotten to.
Walking side by side with her dad, she re-entered the building. “You and Stella looked like you were having fun.”
“She’s a sweet kid.”
Melanie shot him a sideways glance. “And you make a habit of watching kids you don’t know?”
He shrugged. “She’s important to you, Mel. I can tell. Which means she’s important to me too. I just wanted to see what you do.”
“And did you?”
He hummed low in his throat. “Well, I’m just trying to figure a few things out. I’ll let you know when I do.” He dumped his coffee cup in a trashcan and pushed through a door into the conference room where a few people were early to the meeting.
Melanie slid into a black leather rolling chair and steepled her fingers. But as the room filled and the meeting began, the only image in her mind wasHarmony, a picture that held too much meaning.
25
Noah
Noah couldn’t remember ever feeling so content, but as soon as that thought crossed his mind, so did the guilt. He shouldn’t be happy amid his grief, but he couldn’t help it.
Years ago, he’d told Melanie they were going to be friends.
Not even he had seen this coming.
Melanie filled his every waking moment. When he wasn’t with her, his mind remained at her side.
She completed their family, though she’d deny it.
