2. Ryder

"Hey, you'll never guess who I saw today." Melody walks into the kitchen while I'm prepping everything for the evening rush.

"Who's that?" Melody has been in her own head lately, something to do with I'm sure is Sienna's dad calling and trying to reconnect, or so he says. I don't even hold my breath. That guy comes and goes when the state is after him.

"That cute girl you demanded I take to the walk-in clinic when she choked in the restaurant," she smarts off. My sister clearly needs a weekend away, do something for her, because she's been biting everyone's head off.

"Oh, the girl who could sue not only you but also me? You're not the only one who has an investment in this restaurant, Melody. Thanks for thinking solely of yourself. You wanna tell me what the fuck you have crawling up your ass?" I love her, would do anything for her, but this is bullshit.

"I'm sorry. You're right. I don't know what's going on. I've been a raging bitch, and the icing on the top is that Joseph lawyered up. Anyway, the girl, her name is Berkley Jennings, and she's Sienna's first grade teacher. Sweet as pie. Sienna is already halfway in love with her." This is the sister I know, calmer and more centered.

"Come here." I drop what I'm doing, knowing what she has to deal with is not easy. Melody clearly needs a hug.

"I'm a mess. I don't know why you put up with me." She wraps her arms around my waist. I bring it in, and we hug it out. This is the shit our mom made us do when we were younger. We'd go off blaming one another for something the other didn't do. Start running around. Usually, Melody was doing the chasing. Those long fingers of hers, when she'd attack, they would slap the dog snot out of me.

"You got this. Why don't you take the afternoon off? I'll pick up Sienna. Our day shift manager can handle things. I need to grocery shop for my house, and you know how much our girl likes to do that. Then I can drop her off at your place after homework and dinner, come back here, make sure things are going well. Go get a pedicure or drink a bottle of wine or something." I see the slow smile appearing on her face.

"Sure, you can do that, but we all know why you really want to pick up Sienna." She arches her eyebrow.

"I highly doubt that. She probably doesn't remember me. I'm more worried about your mental health right now. You do need to make an appointment with your attorney. If you need money, I have it. Not that I think he'll actually follow through. This is just another hurdle."

"You're right. Are you sure you don't mind getting Si?"

"I wouldn't have offered if I did. Now, go on and get outta here." I use my hands to move her along.

"Thanks, Ry. I appreciate it."

"Not a problem. Now, let me get back to work so our little princess won't be kept waiting. You know how she gets when the diva doesn't get her afternoon snack." Sienna puts hangry to a whole other level. She's truly just like her mom in that area.

"Yeah, yeah. I hear what you're not saying, you know?" Melody laughs. My face must be showing what I'm thinking.

"You can't deny it." I get back to work, already coming up with a plan about what I'll do when I see Berkley Jennings, how I'll make her mine. Damn, one touch of her body touching mine had me jacking off like a teenager this past month. The way her lush ass curved into my groin perfectly. She's on the taller side, and with those high heels she was rocking, it put her at the perfect height. All I'd have to do is get rid of the layers of clothes we had on, bend my knees, and we'd be at the perfect level. It's one of the fantasies I've used multiple times—her bent over a table, ass in the air, face down on my bed, me holding her against the wall while my cock surges deep inside her. It's been on repeat. I never thought I'd see her again, but it looks like today I'll be getting what I've been dreaming of.

This thought puts a pep in my step. I fly through all the prep work that's needed for this evening, let the other chefs know I'll be out, and so will Melody, but to call me if they have an issue.

Once that's done, I head out the door, climb into my truck, and drive my ass home for a quick shower and change of clothes. I'm off to get my girl, and nothing is going to stop me today. Even if it means using my niece as an in, which I'd usually be completely against, but desperate measures and all that. Plus, knowing Sienna, she'll barter something in the way of dessert or a toy. It'll all be worth it when Berkley is mine.