Page 34 of Melody’s Little Secret

“Huh. It’s almost like helikesher, likes her.”

“Silly little Powerpuff. All you need is functioning eyes to see that my brother is enamored with Laney. He’s not one to push though. No, he gently coaxes until—”

“Until she’s cuddling him and calling him, uh, Daddy?”

“Maybe. I’ll tell you Zio and I have very similar mindsets when it comes to dynamics as well as rules. He’s been searching for a long time for someone who brings him the sort of joy you have brought to me,dulcita.”

His statement filled my entire body with warmth. “Thank you. I feel the same way when I’m with you, Daddy.”

“Do you feel a little calmer now?”

“Sort of. I can go home until Laney gets back from Mechanicsville. I don’t want to interrupt your busy schedule.”

“For the last time, I asked you to come here. I have some things I need to work on, and you can stay with me. Let’s go to my office.”

I didn’t want to sit in a stuffy office, even if it was with Bosco, while he poured himself over endless worksheets.

“It will be boring.”

“It’s just for a little while, and then I’ll order us some food.”

“I appreciate that, but I don’t want to sit in a cramped office.”

“Andiamo.” He held his hand out to me, and I didn’t need an exact translation to know that the one-word command meant that he was done with my lack of obedience. I’d follow him wherever he led me.

Accepting his hand, I nodded. “Yes, Daddy.”

Sitting in the office that Boz and Zio shared proved to be as interesting as watching paint dry. Glancing at my phone, I was annoyed by how long it seemed to be taking Laney and Zio to return. I knew Boz had a lot of important things to do for the apartment including the most gorgeous claw-foot tub I’d ever seen in order to keep everything a secret, but I missed my bestie. After our fight the day before, I felt like my tummy weighed a million pounds from guilt. She’d undoubtedly love the surprise, who wouldn’t? But, she had no idea that everyone had been diligently working on something for her! Sighing, I settled my gaze on Boz. He was busy, he’d told me as much, but I sort of wanted attention. Any attention. The little brat on my shoulder bobbed her head up and down excitedly.No. I shot down the wild ideas floating through my brain. I didn’t need to get a punishment just because I was bored and anxious. Forcing myself to focus on the book, I suddenly realized that Boz had stopped pounding away at the keyboard and asked me something.

“I’m sorry, Daddy. What did you ask me?”

“You are huffing and puffing,dulcita. I asked you if you’d like to go and get something to eat now?”

“Nope.” Dropping my head back into the book, I ignored the way the muscles in his jaw clenched and relaxed at my answer. “I’ll be fine.”

“Do you want to eat here or would you rather we go somewhere in town?”

“I’m not hungry.” Clearing my throat, I lifted the book in my hand thinking he would drop the topic. Engrossing myself in the pages but not the words, I peeked over the top of the paperback to see him staring at me.

“Are you allergic to anything,dulcita?”

“I said I’m not hungry,” I repeated loudly as if he hadn’t heard me.

“You still need to eat.”

“I’m too upset, Daddy,” I protested but his gaze darkened, and he was clearly not happy with my answer. “Today’s special is one of my absolute favorite pasta dishes. May I please have a doggy bag of penne alla vodka for later? I promise as soon as Laney is home and I’m not as worried, that I will eat it.” Plastering on a cheesy grin though I didn’t feel like smiling, I hoped he’d let my tone slide.

“Sì.” He shot off a text message before setting his phone on his desk and pushing a lock of his hair behind his ear. “I asked for a family meal to be wrapped up for you and Laney.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

We sat in silence for a while, and though I tried to escape into the fairy tale land the princess in my book lived in while she danced with her Prince Charming, my thoughts drifted. Crumpling up a post-it note I’d been using for a bookmark, I made it into a ball and flicked it. The paper landed in front of his hand.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,monella.”

Monellaroughly translated to naughty little brat, and he’d said it to me more than once in the time I’d been sitting there.

“I shouldn’t tax my wrist anymore today, but I can at least make sure things are set for the bakery tomorrow.” I started to stand, but he held up his hand.

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