Page 115 of My Real Love Affair

I stopped packing and turned to face him. “If you remember, I didn’t show up with her. She showed up on her own. And again, why does it matter?”

“Why are you trying to use someone like her to convince us you’re turning over a new leaf?”

I didn’t know what it was. Fury? Rage? Protectiveness? Something rolled through me. All of my senses were suddenly heightened. I felt like I was storming into battle.

I took a deep breath and looked him directly in the eyes. No fear. No apprehension. I wanted him to see exactly what I was feeling. “What do you mean, ‘like her’?” The words were cold, holding an air of danger.

Cash shifted. He had picked up what I laid down. I could see him choosing his words carefully. “She’s not Bancroft material, Austin. She’s a fashion influencer with bad press. You barely know her. This whole thing started as an arrangement—one that I helped facilitate, might I remind you. So forgive me for being skeptical when you suddenly act like it’s the real deal.”

Something hot and sharp twisted in my chest. “You mean she’s not thin enough? Not rich enough? Not whatever arbitrary standard the Bancrofts have decided qualifies as acceptable?”

“That’s not what I said and you know damn well that’s not at all what I meant. Have you met some of your sisters-in-law? Actually, considering you’ve been gone for years, you probably haven’t. Her looks don’t matter. I’m talking about who she is.”

“It’s what you meant.” I went back to packing, throwing clothes in without giving a shit if they got wrinkled. “And for your information, it is real. I care about her. Really care about her. And I don’t give a single damn what you or Dad or anyone else thinks about it.”

“Austin, you don’t even know her! She is someone who makes a living by exploiting her life. You don’t think she might be using you for clout?”

“No.” I spun back to face him. “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to question my relationship or imply that Melody isn’t good enough for this family. She’s better than all of us combined. She’s kind and genuine and works her ass off to help otherwomen feel confident and beautiful. What do we do? Hoard wealth and judge people from our ivory towers?”

Cash’s expression was hard to read. “I’m trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection. I need you to stay out of my business.”

“It becomes my business when you’re making decisions that could affect the family.”

“Everything I do affects the family, according to you. I breathe wrong and it’s a scandal.” I zipped up the duffel bag. “I’m done trying to live up to impossible standards. Done trying to be someone I’m not just to make you and Dad comfortable.”

“So what, you’re just going to run off with this woman you barely know?”

“I know her better than you think. And yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Cash stepped closer, his voice dropping. “Define it for me then. What is this? A relationship? A fling? An extended arrangement? Where is this going, Austin?”

“I don’t know.” The admission felt like pulling teeth. “I have no idea where this is going. All I know is that when I’m with Melody, I’m happy. Actually happy. Not performing or pretending or living up to anyone’s expectations. Just happy. And I’m not giving that up just because it doesn’t fit neatly into your spreadsheets and five-year plans.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“It is. You’re all about control, Cash. About managing everything and everyone. Clean lines. Black and white. Risk mitigation. But life doesn’t work that way. Feelings don’t work that way. And I’m not going to stop something good just because you can’t quantify it. This little thing called life, that’s all we get. At the end, it doesn’t matter how careful we were or what decisions about money we made. We all leave with nothing butthe skin we’re in and memories. I’m making memories. I’m enjoying every minute on this earth I have. I don’t give a shit if you like it or not. If I’m wrong, I guess I’ll find out when I’m standing on death’s door. But until then, I’m going to do what makes me feel good.”

Cash stared at me, his expression tight. “You’re making a mistake.”

“Maybe. Probably. But it’s my mistake to make.” I grabbed my bag and headed for the door. “I’ll be back in a week.”

“Where the hell are you going?”

I stopped, turning back with a grin that I knew would piss him off. “I’ve chartered a yacht in Tahiti. Maybe when I get back, I’ll have answers for you that will put your mind at ease. Or maybe I won’t. Either way, I’ll be happy. Can you say the same?”

Cash’s glare could have melted steel. “This is reckless.”

“This is living. You should try it sometime.”

“Austin, you’re blowing money you don’t have.”

“I do have it. And you can take my trust fund, but that’s not going to make me stop living. I have my own money, remember?”

“You’re flitting around like you’re a teenager without a care in the world!”

I shrugged. “Yes, yes I am.”