Page 107 of The Spare

"It's complicated, Melody."

I tilt my head. "Love's not complicated, papa."

When his eyes turn back to me, the pain in them is so reminiscent of Mason's that it takes my breath away. "For me, it always has been."

"It doesn'thaveto be," I say determinedly. "Not with Mason. He just wants to know he's doing something right. To see you look at him with pride. Iknowyou're proud of him! You've told me a couple times when we've been fencing. So, why can't you tellhimthat?"

"Because every man in my life has hurt me. When I extend myself out, I get bitten in the end."

"So you're going to make Mason pay for that?"I ask, squeezing Richard's hand. "I know he's disappointed you at times, papa, and maybe hasn't done everything by the books, or how you wanted him to, but what thoseother peopledid to you is not his fault. And you shouldn't hold him accountable for it."

Richard pulls his hands away to scrub them down his face on a deep exhale. He folds his arms across his chest and looks into the fireplace.

"Papa," I sink to the floor and go to my knees. "I don't have a father, and every day it hurts… but at least I don't have to live with knowing that there's a chance for reconciliation, and he's too stubborn to give in. Don't do this to him. Tell him you love him.Tell him you're sorry.Hell, tell him whatever you need to to begin to fix this. But thisisfixable."

I stand, digging into my pocket for the mangled paperclip I'd kept from last night. I hold it up, the dried blood on it glows in the light of the fireplace and I bend, placing it on top of the picture of his family.

Richard's eyes nail themselves on the small piece of metal.

"He has dozens of these spread all over his office, in his pants, in his jacket, and at home. He uses it to ground himself, and to remind him to keep control and be calm. If you'd just let him in, you'd see that he's safe, and you can trust him." I step forward and bend to wrap my arms around him, ignoring him stiffening against me. "I'd give anything to have a second chance," I whisper in his ear. "Take yours while you still have the chance."

Pulling away, I leave him, striding out of the den and nodding at Stephen to let him know I'm ready. A heart wrenching, guttural sob sounds from the other side of the cracked door, and I fist my hand, forcing myself to be strong. On the way home I contemplate tellingMason about my visit, but then decide against it just in case Richard doesn't extend an olive branch, then there won't be any feelings hurt.

I just have to know I did my best. And I'll always do my best regarding Mason.

Back at home, I go straight in the kitchen, thinking of doing something to sweeten up Mason's day. So, I take out the ingredients to make homemade peach cobbler cinnamon rolls. It's a new recipe that I haven't had a chance to perfect yet, and I'm still trying to learn my way around our kitchen, but there's no time like the present.

I keep thinking about my talk with Richard, wondering if there was something else I could do or say that would have gotten through to him.

The peaches and syrup mixture is boiling on the stove, and I'm rolling up the dough on the counter when my phone dings with a message. Thinking it's Mason, I wipe my hands on a tea towel and grab my cell, opening it to see a message from Karissa.

Hey bestie! Whatcha doin' tonight? Can you come hang out? Kari

I frown, reaching forward to turn off the stove and move the pan from the hot burner. After Mason being so upset last night, I don't know if it'd be wise for me to leave like this. I bite my lip, taking a couple minutes to slice the dough into three-inch thick medallions before responding.

Hi Kari, where are you trying to go? -Mel

To the Lazy Tiger, the new club downtown. It's a networking hotspot. I figured you'd come out, spread your wings a little. Maybe find something to interest you to get out of your funk. -Kari

I frown.

I haven't been in a funk, Kari. I've been on my honeymoon. Big difference. -Mel

Yeah well, the honeymoon is over. Now it's time to hit the ground running and figure out what you want to do with your life. Unless, you're content with being a kept woman, and if that's the case hell ya! -Kari

I roll my eyes, swiping out of our thread and pulling up Mason's number.

"Hi, my love," he says, his voice low. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," I say breathlessly, heat crawls up my neck at his sexy tenor and I melt, a little like the syrup mixture I'm pouring on the cinnamon rolls as a matter of fact. "I'm okay. Are you okay?"

He chuckles. "Yes, I'm okay; it's just a busy day. I miss you." He pauses as I slam the oven door shut and fiddle with the buttons. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing!" I squeak, thinking I should have been a bit more stealthy about his surprise.

"Nothing, huh? Sounds… interesting."

I clear my throat. "So um…when are you getting home?"