Self Righteous Hypocrite

By the time Melody pulled the sugar cookies out of the oven, the entire apartment smelled like a bakery.

Warm cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, comfort wrapped in heat. The sugar cookies were already cooling on the counter, lined neatly on parchment paper, their white snow icing slightly cracked in places, just the way she liked them. She stood for a moment, hands on her hips, breathing it all in.

This was her favorite part. Not the eating, but watching her work, with so much pride. Since she got here, she hasn't been baking a lot but with the way she feels right now, it would be her new everyday routine.

She wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and glanced at the clock. She still had time, but not enough to linger. Carefully, she turned toward the living room.

“Tara?” she called.

Tara appeared almost immediately, already dressed down in sweatpants, her hair wrapped in a scarf. “Yeah?”

“Can you watch the pie for me?” Melody asked. “It needs maybe ten more minutes. Please don’t let it burn.”

Tara smiled. “I’ve got it. Go get pretty.”

Melody laughed. “I will.”

She headed to her room, heart beating a little faster than usual. Dinner tonight mattered because she was going to be meeting his friend, it's not like she cared about what his friend would think about him, but she wanted to put up a good performance.

She opened her closet and pulled out the red sundress she’d already decided on earlier that afternoon.

It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t so expensive. But it fit her beautifully, soft fabric, modest neckline, gentle flow that moved when she walked. She paired it with thick black tights, her boots, and a heavy cream-colored coat that hugged her frame just right.

She stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the dress down. You don’t have to pretend, she told herself. Just be you.

Still, she wanted to look like she belonged.

She curled her hair lightly, applied minimal makeup, soft blush, gloss, and mascara. Nothing dramatic.

When she stepped back into the living room, Tara smiled. “Oh, girl, you look beautiful.”

Melody blinked. “Really?”

“Really,” Tara said, standing up to look at her properly. “Like… effortlessly beautiful. Logan is going to forget how to speak.”

Melody laughed, cheeks warming. “Thank you.”

Tara tilted her head. “Are you coming back tonight?”

Melody paused. “I can, if you want me to. I’ll leave in a heartbeat.”

Tara waved her off. “No, no. Just… have fun. Be good.”

Melody smiled. “You know I will and I'll be home just in time to put up the Christmas tree.”

She carefully packed the cookies and pumpkin pie, wrapping everything neatly, then grabbed her coat and keys. Tara’s car waited outside, and Melody made a mental note to stop by the wine shop on the way.

The drive city was buzzing with holiday shoppers, typical festive traffic. She came to a stop as the traffic light turned red. A black Ferrari idles beside her, the engine growling like an Italian beast. The glass was rolled down, so she stole a glance at the driver. A silver haired man, who looked unbothered and the passenger a young brunette she could swear wasn't even twenty two, her breasts almost touching her chin. They both looked funny.

The light turns green and they're off, long gone before she could press her foot on the gas pedal. Driving on, she tried to picture the kind of life they both lived as a couple, and she almost laughed. These girls would do just about anything and be with anyone just for the money.

And then it hit her, she wasn't any different. She was just a self righteous hypocrite, on her way to dinner with her employee. Of course Logan is her employee and they're both playing a script. Melody stopped at the winery, picked a modest but elegant bottle of red wine, and continued on.

By the time she reached Logan’s building, the city looked like something out of a postcard. The elevator ride felt longer than usual.

When the doors opened, Logan was already waiting, she could hear his dog backing from somewhere in the house.

She stepped out and he smiled.

“Wow,” he said softly.

Her lips curved shyly. “Hi.”

“You look incredible,” he added. “And… is that what I think it is?”

She lifted the bag slightly. “Christmas sugar cookies with snow icing. And pumpkin pie.”

“Oh my God,” Logan laughed. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to.”

“Well, thank you,” he said sincerely, motioning for one of the staff to help carry the treats. “Something smells amazing.”

He led her inside. The house felt warm soft lighting, garlands draped along the staircase, a Christmas tree glowing in the corner of the living room, ornaments reflecting gold and red. He had good taste, because the interior of his house was to die for.

“Come,” Logan said. “Let me take you to the library. We’ll have tea there while they serve dinner.”

The library was cozy, shelves lined with books, a fireplace crackling gently. His friend was already there, seated comfortably.

“Melody,” Logan said, “this is Daniel, my best friend and my Financial officer.”

“Nice to meet you.” She said with a smile, stepping forward.

The man stood, studying her carefully before taking her hand. His grip was firm, his expression unreadable for just a moment.

“Nice to meet you too, Melody.”

She could tell he’d been skeptical, measuring her but she didn’t mind. Logan excused himself to take a call.

“So,” Daniel said, settling back into his seat. “Where are you from?”

“Snowbrook Valley,” she answered easily.

His eyes widened. “You’re kidding.”

She blinked. “Why?”

“My mom is from Snowbrook Valley.”

Her face lit up. “Really?”

“Yes,” he laughed. “I’ve only been there twice. Once as a kid, once as a teenager. We went back when my grandfather passed.”

Her shoulders relaxed almost instantly. “Then you know how peaceful it is.”

“Too peaceful,” he joked. “But beautiful, especially during Christmas.”

They talked easily after that. About Snowbrook. About traditions. About how much had changed and how some things hadn’t. When dinner was announced, Logan joined them, glancing between the two.

“Did I miss something?” he asked.

Melody smiled. “Not really.”

“I think she's cool,” Daniel said grinning like a kid who got picked to play the lead role in a school play.

Logan raised a brow. “Already?”

Before he could say more, Miss Penelope appeared, pulling Melody into a warm hug.

“I’m so happy to see you,” she said like she's known her for a long time. “And I must confess, I already ate one of your cookies.”

Melody laughed. “Oh?”

“It’s the best sugar cookie I’ve ever had.”

“You’re flattering me,” Melody said.

“Who taught you to bake?” Miss Penelope asked.

“My mom,” Melody said softly. “I started young. I even had a pastry shop back in Snowbrook.”

Penelope’s eyes softened. “Had?”

“Yes. I lost it.”

“That’s sad,” Penelope said gently, patting her hands. She turned to Daniel and gave him her big hug. He told her how much he missed her and her meals.

After dinner, Melody insisted on helping clear the table. In the kitchen, she and Miss Penelope talked easily, laughter mixing with the hum of the dishwasher.

“You should come over more often,” Penelope said. “I’d love to learn from you.”

Melody smiled. “I’d like that.”

And as she stood there, surrounded by warmth, lights, and quiet laughter, Melody felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time. She felt at home.