Holiday Promise (Hollyberry Harbor #2)

Chapter 11

ELEVEN

Melody stared up at Blake with shock. That was the only way to describe what she was feeling in this moment. He couldn’t be serious. She remembered clearly the day she’d been interviewed. There was still snow on the ground. When he’d told her there would be no ice skating without him present, she had understood that to mean the rule applied to Max.

What kind of person would tell their employee that they couldn’t do something in their free time? It was insane.

She half expected him to start laughing and tell her that he was joking. But when he didn’t, she wasn’t sure what she should do. It wasn’t worth arguing about. She loved her job. She couldn’t leave Max.

What about Blake , a voice in her head seemed to ask.

What about him? He was her boss. He’d made it clear he wasn’t interested in developing anything deeper. If he had, he wouldn’t have pointed out that she worked for him. He wouldn’t have given her the veiled threat that he could fire her at any moment.

She got to her feet and did her best at schooling her features, but she could tell that she failed miserably. “You never made it clear that the rule applied to me. You only mentioned Max and I’ve adhered to that rule from the day you hired me.”

He shook his head, likely preparing to argue with her further.

Melody held up a hand. “Like I said, what I do on my own time—my personal time—is none of your business. I can do as I please.”

Blake’s face grew even redder. He rose to his full height, but she refused to let him intimidate her.

“I know you have your reasons for wanting to keep Max safe. I can even understand your hesitancy and desire for keeping me out of harm’s way. But that doesn’t mean you can control everyone.” Melody motioned to the people who were still enjoying their activity. “This is the time of year for traditions. Why would you want to take that away from them?”

“Because it’s dangerous,” he sputtered with exasperation. “This isn’t like a rink that has been built inside somewhere. It’s an actual lake. You can’t control?—”

“You’re right. You can’t control anything.” Melody glowered at him. “You can’t control when life dishes out a disaster. You can’t control when your heart wants something you shouldn’t have.” She nearly added that she couldn’t control when she fell in love, but she kept it to herself. The conversation she had with Thomas still rang in her ears. He had made several good points about Blake and what would happen after the holidays were over. The biggest one being that Blake would go back to working long hours and treating her like the help.

What else was she supposed to believe when she’d been working for him for a year and the first time he gave her a second glance it was because he was spending more time with his son and consequently, with her as well?

She tore her eyes from him, sensing her emotions getting out of control. This wasn’t really about him controlling what she did on the ice and she knew it. She would’ve happily done exactly as he wanted if she’d known without a doubt the reasons behind it were for love. With the way he’d been distancing himself recently, she didn’t have any hopes for that sort of thing.

Melody felt like a complete idiot. Not only that, but their argument had garnered the attention of several bystanders—folks who knew who she was and who likely didn’t approve of Blake Metcalf at all. His name was synonymous with the description of a man who preferred money and power over community and tradition.

“You’re right,” he muttered, drawing her gaze once more.

She didn’t want to hope that she’d hit a chord with her speech, but it appeared her heart had a bit left.

“I can’t control everything, but I can control what I require from the people who work for me.”

Melody’s heart sank, crumbling as he once again put the label of employee on her head. He didn’t think of her as anything more than a person who would do his bidding. That wasn’t how a relationship was supposed to start out as.

“My wife knew the risks of skating and she went out, anyway. If I had been there—then Max wouldn’t have lost his mother. He can’t lose you, too.”

The more he talked, the more Melody was figuratively beaten down. Blake didn’t speak of his late wife much. Clearly, he wasn’t over her. That could only mean one thing. Melody had simply been a distraction for him. He wasn’t over Alison at all. She dropped her gaze to her hands, fury beginning to replace the sour disappointment. “Can I ask you one thing?” Melody didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, she lifted her stinging gaze to him, her voice quiet. “Why are you so insistent that I don’t go skating? Is it because you fear losing me because Max needs me? Or is it deeper?”

Blake looked momentarily confused, so she clarified.

“Because it certainly seems like you’re more concerned with Max needing to form an attachment to a new nanny.” She let out a dry chuckle. “And here I thought that something stronger had started to develop. I thought you cared for me.”

He threw his head back and glared at her. “Of course I care for you.” The way he sputtered, his response sounded more forced than anything else. “Why would you even suggest such a thing?”

Her face flushed hot. She wanted to point out just how distant he’d become. It was harder than she’d thought it would be to throw caution to the wind and enjoy a fling over Christmas. Her heart had grown to care for him in ways that most would deem inappropriate. Now, she was suffering with the consequences of those actions and all she wanted was for the pain to stop. Blake might care for her, but he cared for Ms. Anthony as well. He wasn’t heartless.

Melody blinked back the pain and forced a smooth expression. “You know what? I’ve heard of stranger rules for people working for different companies. If ice skating is on your list, then you won’t find me here alone.” She watched in real time as relief washed over him. His stance relaxed and, if she wasn’t mistaken, a small smile touched his lips.

Why wouldn’t it? He’d gotten his way.

She turned away from him as she picked up her skates. “But I’ve come to the conclusion on something else that is rather important.” Her stomach churned painfully, her heart fluttered like it had been a bird shot from the sky. Legs weak and head dizzy, she glanced over her shoulder at her boss. “We need to step back from the familiarity we’ve lapsed into.”

Blake’s brows pulled together and his skin drained of color. “What?”

“You and I both know where this was going to end—this romantic thing we had going. Already, it’s been shifting into something else… phasing out, I suppose.”

“Melody—”

“It’s fine. It was fun while it lasted. But we have to accept what it was.”

Blake’s expression had grown darker. His jawline had tightened along with every visible muscle. She could understand why he wouldn’t want her to be the one to make this change. Blake was a powerful man. He liked making the rules for the games he played. In all likelihood, he wanted to be the one who broke things off with her. Well, that was too bad. He didn’t get to have this one.

She took in a deep, shuddering breath. “People have flings all the time and they can still work together. If you want me to continue being Max’s nanny, I will. But I don’t think it would be wise for the two of us to see each other again, not intimately.”

He didn’t move, didn’t respond to her statement. For a moment, she wondered if he’d short-circuited. The man probably never had anyone tell him what to do a day in his life. She’d done a lot of that lately. Maybe it would be for the best to just quit right here and now. Then they wouldn’t have to deal with seeing one another anymore.

The thought was tempting. She already knew her heart wasn’t going to take the breakup well. Even though it was smart to do this now—do it early—her heart continued to rebel. All she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms and tell him she didn’t want anything to change. She loved him.

Tears stung her eyes, and she spun away from him. “I’m going to return my skates. Then I’ll follow you home.” She hurried away before he could argue with her. She didn’t want him making excuses for why they should still see each other for the time remaining before the holiday.

Their fling had been too short. It had been a whirlwind and something she’d wished could have lasted. Her love for Blake had been unexpected, but more than she could have ever anticipated. Nothing would compare to it for years to come—a fact she couldn’t decide if it was a good thing or terrible.

She had to push these thoughts out of her mind. Blake was simply unattainable. He was out of reach. There was no use longing for something that would never come to be.