Chaos Theory (Nerds of Paradise #2)(24)

“Yes,” he answered with a shrug. “Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be?”

She didn’t answer. She just continued to stare at him as if he was a puzzle that needed figuring out. He hated the feeling, hated being looked over and judged and, in all likelihood, found wanting. The feeling was all too familiar.

After what felt like an eternity, she let out a breath and relaxed. “I forgive you.” She stepped forward, holding out her arms, and drew him into a hug.

Every muscle in Will’s body recoiled at the gesture. Hugging just wasn’t something he did. At the same time, having Melody’s arms around him, and breathing in her flowery scent mingled with the spicy scent of incense, opened a chasm in his chest that wanted more. Within seconds, that yawning, hungry void grew so vast that his breath caught in his lungs. He pulled back.

“I’m sorry,” he said one last time, voice gruff.

“It’s okay.” Melody smiled. “We all have bad days. Let’s just hope they don’t happen out there in the forest.”

Before Will could say that they wouldn’t, the apartment door creaked open, then clapped shut. He turned in time to see a tweedy man in late middle age heading into the room with a briefcase in one hand.

“Hey, we’ve got company,” he said with a smile that betrayed he must be Melody’s father.

“Hi, Dad.” Melody broke away from Will and went to hug her dad hello. He set his briefcase down and hugged her back.

Will watched the whole thing in amazement that quickly switched to shame. It was embarrassingly cliché of him to be shocked that there were fathers out there who hugged their children.

“Dad, this is Will.” Melody slipped her arm through her dad’s and whisked him across the room.

Will held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“Call me Dave,” Melody’s dad said, all smiles. But instead of shaking Will’s hand, he gave him as big a hug as he’d given Melody. Will rippled with embarrassment, especially when Dave leaned back with a friendly chuckle and said, “Looks like someone needs to work on their comfort level with physical affection.”

“Dad.” Melody pursed her lips, humor sparkling in her eyes, and swatted her dad’s arm. “Could you please not embarrass every friend I have over?”

“Oh, so he’s your friend?” Dave glanced from Melody to Will and back again. “Is he staying the night?”

Will’s face heated, and he glanced to the door. “Actually, I need to get home.”

“It’s no trouble at all if you want to stay,” Dave said. “I’m sure Melody would love to share her bed tonight.”

Embarrassment itched down Will’s back, but Melody didn’t look the least bit surprised or put out. “You get used to it,” she confided in Will with a wink. “No, Dad, I’m sure Will wants to go home and get a good night’s sleep tonight, since we’ll be dropped into the middle of the forest tomorrow.”

“Oh, so he’s your partner for the orienteering event.” Dave turned back to Will, giving him a second look. “I hear the two of you have a really good chance of winning this thing.”

That was more like what Will was used to. “We will if I have anything to say about it.” One peek at Melody, and he added. “And I’m sure your daughter is a fierce competitor as well.” She’d already proven that she was capable of fiercely competing with him.

“That’s our Melody.” Dave gave Melody a sideways hug. “Have you guys already eaten? Do you want to stay for supper, Will?”

“We finished dinner half an hour ago,” Melody said. “But we left some out for you.”

“Will?” Dave asked, heading for a doorway on one side of the room that looked like it led to a kitchen.

“No thank you. I’ve eaten. And I really need to get going.” He started across the room to the door.

Melody walked with him. “So are we good?” she asked as they paused in the front hallway.

“Yes,” he answered. At least, they were good for the time being. Ferocity or not, he still had his concerns about Melody’s strength and endurance. But that was an argument for another day.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.” She leaned in for one last hug.

Will was reasonably certain he’d been hugged more times in the last half hour than he’d been in the last decade. He wasn’t about to mention that to Melody, though. She’d probably take it on herself to give him hug therapy while they were out in the woods if he so much as hinted at it.

“Sleep well,” she said, opening the door for him.

“You too.”

He headed down the stairs, running over the entire encounter, wondering if they’d solved the real problems or if they were about to step into a total disaster.





Chapter Seven





“Wow, Haskell sure does know how to throw a party.”

Melody turned to Laura, who stood just behind her in line for the gigantic buffet breakfast, and laughed. “Howie likes to make everything into a community-wide event.”

“And he likes to feed us,” Sandy added from just in front of Melody. “I feel like I spend half my life standing in one buffet line or another. We should be a town of blimps at the rate things have been going.”