"Is that for me?"
Melanie Collins turned around at the sound of the baritone voice and frowned. With a look that clearly said, dream on, to the man leaning against the door, she returned to the counter to continue preparing the mango cake. She had no intention of answering the question verbally, hoping he would take the hint and leave her alone.
She had barely started piping the icing onto the cake when she felt someone's breath near her ear.
"Come on, Melanie. You know I don't like mango," the man murmured, his voice laced with amusement. "I'd rather have some melony..."
She stiffened at his double-edged words and would have whipped around to glare at him, but he was already too close, invading her space. Turning around now would mean she'd end up brushing against him, which she refused to do.
"Will you please step back?" she asked stiffly,
"If you ask nicely," Adam replied, the grin was practically audible in his tone.
"Adam," she said sharply trying to warn him off, but he only leaned in closer, clearly unfazed by her irritation.
"Melanie," he countered, mimicking her tone. "You look so serious. Loosen up a little. You might even enjoy having me around."
Her nostrils flared as she resisted the urge to turn around and shove him away. "I'd enjoy it more if you stayed out of my personal space."
"That's funny," he said, tilting his head slightly, "because your personal space seems to be the most interesting spot I've found since I returned."
Melanie snorted, shifting her leg to kick back at him, but as usual, he stepped away just in time, laughing under his breath. She whirled around, glaring at him.
"Don't you have somewhere else to be? Somewhere that doesn't involve stealing my mangoes?" she asked, noticing the bowl in his hand.
He held up the stolen fruit, the grin on his face widening. "I figured I'd save you the trouble of decorating the cake with these. They're wasted on something no one's going to eat."
Melanie crossed her arms, her glare sharpening. "Oh, someone will eat it. The man who loves me will eat every bite of it because I made it with love."
Adam's grin faltered for a fraction of a second, his sharp eyes narrowing briefly before the smirk returned, full of mocking amusement. "Love, huh? You're quite the naïve one. I didn't expect that from you, Melanie. So, let me guess—you're making this cake for the love of your life? Your dear husband? The one who married you, left you behind, and barely bothered to keep in touch over the last three years?"
Melanie's hands froze mid-motion, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the icing bag a little too tightly. Adam had a way of finding the cracks, the soft spots she worked so hard to hide, and aiming straight for them. The last three years had been hard—lonely, even—but for some reason, whenever Adam decided to throw one of his verbal jabs, it hit differently.
But she'd be damned if she let him see how much his words stung. She inhaled sharply , telling herself to remain calm, before turning to him with a glare that could cut steel. "My husband went abroad to study and work hard—unlike someone who spent the last three years partying, drinking, and wasting time."
Adam's grin widened, slow and deliberate, and the glint of his lip ring caught the light as he leaned back against the counter. "Are you jealous, Melon? Is that it? How about I take you with me next time?"
Melanie's expression twisted into a grimace of pure disgust. "No, thank you. I'd rather spend that time with Spencer."
His answer was a low mocking laugh as he walked backwards, "Your precious Spencer. Well, don't let me stop you, Melanie. He'll be here soon enough, won't he? Better get on with that cake—you wouldn't want to disappoint him."
With one last smirk, Adam turned and strolled out of the kitchen, leaving behind the faint scent of him and a disturbed Melanie. Why did that man have to be so sarcastic?
She closed her eyes, turning back to the cake, her movements slower but more focused now. She didn't have time to waste on Adam and his needling. Her mind needed to stay on what mattered—on Spencer, who would finally be returning home after all these years. Soon, all her troubles would come to an end, and Adam's taunts would mean nothing.
Three years. That was how long she'd waited for him. When Spencer had left home to pursue his dreams abroad, she'd made a promise—to him and to herself—that she would take care of everything he left behind. His family, his responsibilities, even the failing business he'd been too tired to fix on his own. And now that he was coming back, she could not wait to surprise him with all that she had achieved.
Melanie's lips curved into a soft, bittersweet smile as the memories washed over her. The last time she'd seen him was on their wedding day. And then he'd leaned in, stealing the cream from the corner of her lips with a playful kiss. "I love the taste of mango and you."
Soon, she reminded herself. Soon, he'd be home, and return to what he had left behind. Finally, the cake was finished. Now, all she had to do was cut another mango and add it into the heart...
Before she could get to it, a maid came running inside, "Ma'am. Master Spencer is here."
Without a second thought, she set the knife down and hurried out of the kitchen, her pulse quickening with every step. He was here. She drank in the sight of him. He was still just as handsome.
But just as she was about to step forward—just as she would have leapt into his arms—her steps faltered. Standing beside him, was a woman... her hand clasped in his.
And behind them, were the mocking eyes of Adam Collins, her tormentor and her brother in law.