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“Hey, Melody. You guys were right on time.” The lines around his face are soft, and I can’t help but be almostsurprisedby this side of him.
Is he always like this outside of work? Or is he genuinely happy we’re here tonight?
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Actually...” He nods toward a bowl of salad. “If you wouldn’t mind helping me move all this to the table, that would be great. Once it’s set, I’ll go grab the boys and we can eat.”
I jump into action, grabbing the salad as well as the plate of breadsticks. “It smells amazing.” I follow him through the double doors. “I can’t wait.”
His eyes hold mine for a few moments, and my mind flashes back to the kiss thatalmosthappened between us.
I swallow hard and look away, setting everything down.
Dr. Banks follows suit, and then disappears from the dining room to grab the boys.
I take a seat in one of the chairs and wait, not wanting to serve myself before they join us. The sound of Connor and Dorian chatting reaches me before they appear in the dining room, and I can’t help but smile. Honestly, Dorian soundssohappy when he’s around Connor, like he can really be himself.
“Hey, Mel,” Dorian greets me as he pulls out the chair beside me. “You should see Connor’s room. It’samazing.”
“I’ll have to check it out,” I tell him, eyeing Dr. Banks as he takes a seat next to Connor, directly across from me.
“Do you like working for my dad?” Connor asks as we pass the food around, filling our plates. “He’s not nice when he’s at work.”
“Hey now.” Dr. Banks gives him a look. “I have to be professional at work. There’s a difference.”
Connor rolls his eyes. “You’rewaygrumpier at work. I swear you’re only happy when you’re at home.”
“I like being home.” Dr. Banks shrugs.
Connor chuckles, and the four of us dig into our food.
“This is bomb.” Dorian looks up at Dr. Banks. “Likereallybomb. It’s almost as good as Mel’s cooking.”
Dr. Banks looks over at me. “So, you like to cook as well as bake?”
“Um.” I feel my cheeks grow warm. “Yeah, I suppose so. I prefer to bake, but cooking is fun, too.”
“We should force her to make us some chocolate chip cookies.” Dorian beams, a smile spreading across his face. “I swear, they’resogooey.”
“Yes!” Connor joins in. “Youhaveto make us some. It would beuh-mazing.”
Dr. Banks looks at me. “I kept the kitchen clean—”
“Don’t be uptight, Dad.” Connor laughs, shaking his head. “Weneverget homemade cookies. We always get stuck with Gillian’s cooking, and she might keep the house clean, but sheneverbakes.”
Dr. Banks lets out a heavy sigh, his eyes flicking to me. “If Melody would like to, then she can—”
I break out into a grin. “I’d love to.”
18
Aiden
Melody is baking in my kitchen. She isbaking in my kitchen.And I’m not sure how I feel about the mess she’s making.
But strangely enough, DorianandConnor are with her, baking up a storm and laughing their way through it.
I stand in the corner of the kitchen, watching it all happen, and honestly, it’s admirable. It really is.
