The first days flew by. We settled into a routine that included, school, dinners and a lot of trips to the zoo. A lot. After another long day at the zoo and the bookstore, we made it back home. Esme’s energy was boundless and I had to tag Derek in for a few minutes while I sorted through all our treasures from the day.

“May I please have some more tea?” Derek asked, squashed down on one of the tiny chairs at Esme’s table. He had the patience of a saint.

“I like the ensemble, Derek. It suits you,” I said, walking in with an armload of books. He shot me a glare. The kids apron with strawberries tight around his neck and a boa around his shoulder. We may have gone overboard at the store. But with Derek there to carry everything, we hadn’t thought twice about piling our purchases high.

Bedtime was one of my favorite times with Esme. We’d gotten a bunch of books. Books my mom used to read to me every night when I was with her. She’d sit on the edge of my bed and read to me until I fell asleep. Being able to do that for Esme, made those memories easier.

The elevator dinged. Rhys was home. My stomach did the little flip it did whenever he was in the vicinity. I hadn’t been here that long, but I didn’t think I’d ever get used to it. I tucked the books away on the shelves.

“May I have some more tea?” Derek asked again, as he held out his tiny teacup. I couldn’t hold back my laughter. Rhys’s chuckle came from the doorway.

“Don’t make fun.” Esme frowned at both of us, got up from her chair and rounded the table to stand in front of Derek. She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him in tight. The startled look on his face told me this hadn’t happened before.

“I think you look really nice, Derek. Thank you for playing with me,” she said, loud enough for me to hear. Loud enough for Rhys to hear. Derek froze and I heard Rhys suck in his breath. Derek sat there like he’d just been pulled out of a frozen lake. His body was rigid, until he wrapped his massive arms around Esme and hugged her back.

“Thank you, Esme.” He gave her a squeezed as a watery sheen covered his eyes. He blinked hard before dropping his arms from around her back. She spoke in front of him. He’d been like our shadow since I got there. I figured Rhys wanted to make sure everything was on the up and up with me, but Derek had been a real friend since the first day.

“You’re welcome, Derek,” she said, beaming before sitting back down in her chair. They finished their tea party with Esme talking and Derek’s voice tight, as though he spoke past a boulder lodged in his throat. Rhys stood there watching them while I tried to make myself busy getting things organized.

“Melanie, could I have a word?” Rhys asked, motioning for me from the doorway. I glanced over at Esme and Derek. She had added a pink boa to the other three that were already stretched across his broad shoulders. I wiped my clammy hands on my legs.

“Sure.” I followed him out into the hall, nervous energy bouncing off me.

“Thank you,” he said, like a breath he’d been holding for a long time.

“I didn’t do anything.” I hadn’t really. I played with her. Walked her to school sometimes. Helped her with her homework, which she was completely able to do on her own.

“Whatever it is, keep doing it,” he said, his eyes focused on Esme and Derek in her room. “How are you adjusting?”

“It’s going well. We’re still finding our routine.” The babbling poured out of my mouth and I couldn’t even stop it. The tingling in my fingertips made me want to reach out and smooth his furrowed brow. Something was wrong, but I didn’t know what it was and I didn’t know if it was my place to ask. I hesitated.

“Is everything, okay?”

My eyes met his and I nearly staggered back under the weight of what I saw there. I reached out a hesitant hand and put it on his shoulder. What the hell happened to make him so upset?

* * *

Rhys

She spoke to Derek. Her high and light little voice rang out in the room as she wrapped her arms around Derek’s neck. He got choked up. The impact of her words hit me right in my gut. He felt it, too.

Melanie had been here less than a month, and the Esme’s transformation was nothing short of a miracle. I couldn’t thank her enough. I also couldn’t let my desires when it came to her push aside how good she was for my daughter. My needs warred in my head.

Standing so close to her out in the hallway hadn’t been a good idea. I should have never called her out there. She was so close and I wanted nothing more than to push her up against the nearest wall and show her how grateful I was for everything she’d done. I couldn’t wait to tell her secrets I’d never told anyone, because maybe she could help fix me like she’d fixed Esme.

A wave of sadness rolled over me that Esme needed fixing in the first place. I wanted to pull Mel tight as the warmth of her hand sunk into my shoulder. Against my better judgment, I reached up and put my hand over hers. I ran my thumb across the back of her hand. I closed my eyes. I needed to stop this. I dropped my hand.

“Sorry. Yes, I’m fine.” I cleared my throat.

“Are you joining us for dinner? We’re making pizzas,” she said, her eyes hopeful.

“I don’t think so, but I’ll try. I need to talk to Derek.”

“Hey, Es. I know you’re having fun with your party, but can I steal Derek away?”

“Okay. Mel, can you come play? Derek, will you come back?”

“We’re making pizzas, remember?” Mel asked, walking into the room. “And we’ll see Derek tomorrow. He’s going to walk you to school, remember?”

“Yay, pizza!” Esme jumped up and raced to the kitchen. Everything beyond pizza forgotten.

* * *

I closed my office door after Derek, who brushed the multicolored feathers off of his shoulders.

“She spoke to me.” The awe in his voice brought tears to my eyes. She had. She’d spoken to him. Mel did that!

“I told you she liked you, Derek. There’s nothing to worry about.” I slapped him on the shoulder.

“You need to be careful, Rhys.” Derek’s voice held more concern than it usually did. “Mel…”

“I know.” I squeezed the bridge of my nose. The intense pressure in my head battled against the lightness in my chest. “I don’t know what to do about her.”

“I’d start with not running her off like you usually do.” Derek sat in the chair in front of my desk.

“I have no plans to do that with her. I’m not stupid.”

“Then, I’d say you need to be careful. Really careful.”

“I know.” I leaned back in my chair. The cool leather warmed under my touch. I’m sure Mel would warm under my touch too.

“Stop it,” he warned, shooting me a look. “I can tell exactly what you’re thinking.”

“I’m stopping. Melanie Bright is a woman just like any other, and I will not go near her in any manner other than a professional one.” I pledged with my hand held up. Derek quirked his eyebrow up at me.

“I will. I can control myself.” He didn’t seem convinced. It was a double-edged sword. The more she did for Esme, the more I wanted to be near her. The more I wanted her in my arms. But it was more of a reason for me to stay away, to keep my distance. Today was just another one of Mel’s miracles. I couldn’t hold back my chuckle, remembering Esme sitting there with Derek folded into that tiny table.

“You looked good in there with that tiara.”

“If that’s what it takes, I’ll do that and more for her, man.” And he was dead serious, even through the smile on his face.

“I know the feeling.” I’d do whatever it took, including staying away from Mel. My hands itched to touch her skin. To touch and taste her, but I’d have to resist. I couldn’t risk things going wrong and Esme losing her. And I’d put Esme first. I always did. Stay away. It’s that easy, isn’t it?