Page 56 of Shatter

"If you want them pierced, let's go peirce them."

"Really?"

I spin her gently and gather her into my arms. "Don't you know by now, there's nothing I won't give you? Nothing I won't make happen for you if I can?"

Her smile is soft and indulgent. But I break the moment by tapping her on the side of her ass.

"But go get dressed. The banks will open soon. We'll get them pierced after."

Excitedly, she squeals and spins around, dashing back through my room, the hallway and into her room.

The joy in my chest feels foreign. I've never felt like this about a woman before. I don't feel thirty-five. I feel like a kid with his first crush, and proud that I can provide for her. Proud that she seems to like me too and wants to keep me around.

We meet again in the hallway and I can't help the dopey smile on my face. She's wearing cute white jean shorts and a loose flowery top. She's got one of my DC baseball hats on and large sunglasses and cute low-rise converse sneakers on.

She asks about going to see one of Elijah's little league games, and if we can take him and the rest of the crew out to a DC MLB game soon.

I love that she's taken an interest in my friends, considering how important they are to me. She fits right in with them, even if she was a little nervous and shy at first. Meeting a friend group that is already well established is intimidating, but she handled it beautifully.

Ser, Cass and Nell are girls' girls all the way through, so I wasn't worried about them accepting her or not, but I know the entire situation is so different from what Melody's used to. She only had Parker as a friend before this, and they practically grew up together.

We park in front of my bank just as an employee switches the sign from Closed to Open. A few other people step out of their cars, but we're close to the first ones in.

It's only a moment before my name is called and we're ushered into a private room. I gave them my name instead of Mel's to avoid being found out.

"What can I do for you Mr. King?" The banker asks.

"We're actually here for Miss Snow," I say, sitting in one of the available chairs while Mel sits in the other. The teller rounds the desk before wiggling her mouse to wake her computer up.

Melody removes her sunglasses and hat and the teller's eyes widen in recognition.

"I can trust that this branch is discreet?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at the woman, not at all hiding my threat.

She clears her throat.

"Of course. We handle plenty of high profile clients."

She types in her username and password before clasping her hands together and resting them on the desk.

"What can I do for you today, Miss Snow?"

"I... um... I'd like to open a new account?"

"Of course."

A few more clicks of her mouse before she returns her attention to Melody.

"I'll need your ID, social security number, a secondary form of ID, and an opening deposit."

"Oh! I have those." Melody exclaims happily. She digs through her purse, pulling out her government ID, a passport, and the check from The Envelope."

The banker spends a few silent moments filling out the information on her computer before scanning her ID and passport.

"Would you like anyone else authorized on the account?" she asks, looking at me specifically. I open my mouth to decline but Melody beats me to it.

"No!" The urgency in her voice startles the banker before Melody clears her throat and repeats, "no" in a much calmer tone.

A hand rests on my thigh.