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“It’s fine, Papa. Melly says you make a family. She’s our family.” Sarah smiled before she got back to work on her picture.
“That she is, peanut.” Wes was amazed at the maturity she was showing. Had he been overthinking everything?
“I’d be okay with it if she didn’t have to go home anymore…we can have seepovers for good.”
“Like, make this her home?”
“Yeah. It feels like home when she’s here.”
“You’re right kiddo.” He watched her from the corner of his eye while she colored, unphased by the shift in their family dynamic.
“Papa, do you like Melly?”
“Of course I do, peanut. She’s really great to you.”
“No, Papa,” she huffed and looked up at him. “Do you like Melly? Like Aunt Mia and Uncle Nolan.”
“Sar–”
“You know it’s okay if you do. I like her too. I love spending time with her.”
“I know you do.”
“Don’t you think you should tell her?”
“Peanut?”
Sarah shrugged. “I like when we’re all together. She makes you happy like ice cream.”
Wes chuckled. She was right. Melody was part of their family now.
“Even better than ice cream.” Sarah looked up and nodded.
“Yeah, like rainbows and penguins.”
“Exactly, peanut.”
TEN
Melody couldn’t remember the last time she’d had as much fun as she did with Julia. A whole day phone and distraction–free was just what her busy mind needed.
Coffee and pedicures started the day which led to an afternoon of watercolor paper and alphabet nuggets. Jules said vowels tasted funny and traded them out.
They’d decided to have a drink at the club in the common area, it was more relaxed than the pit downstairs. Melody wanted Julia to become more comfortable being in the space. The atmosphere and dynamic of the club was new to her. It was intimidating–in her own words.
Melody was excited to show her the hidden magic as to why it’d become home and the people who filled it.
Looking around the space she noted that some of their friends had gathered in the pit across the open floor. Mia and Lexi were as inseparable as she was with Julia, and their spouses were never too far behind. The former quad group would soon outgrow their coveted corner booth.
“Mel, what's going on?” She reached out and touched her arm, pulling her attention away from her phone. “Stop being avoidy. Spill.”
Melody grimaced and put her phone face down on the table, heaving a frustrated sigh. “Jason won't leave me the hell alone. I've told him I didn't want to see him anymore and he still texts and threatens to show up outside the club. Every time I block him, another number comes up.”
Julia’s blue eyes glinted with mischief. “If he showed up at the club my money is on Colton or Noah getting a hold of him first.”
“It’s been months, how has he not understood that cheating is an unforgivable offense and we have higher standards?” Julia held up her rum and Coke, gesturing for Mel to do the same.
She didn’t move.
