Page 126 of My Real Love Affair

It was hard to imagine this whole arrangement started based on mutual need and it had become so much more complicated.

“I’m glad I showed up at that gala,” I said quietly. “It was…” I trailed off, trying to find the right words. Because how did you explain this feeling? The sense of rightness? It was terrifying and exhilarating. It could either be the best thing that ever happened to me or completely destroy me.

It was magical. I wasn’t going to say that to him. I had a feeling he would think that was cheesy. And it probably was. But that’s what it felt like. It felt magical and amazing.

We sat there sipping our cocktails and enjoying the last of our dinner as the yacht glided through dark water. The air was warm and not even a little chilly. Somewhere below, I could hear the gentle splash of water against the hull.

It occurred to me that this was a moment I would remember when I was old and gray. This perfect night with this imperfect man who somehow made me feel like the most important person in the world.

“What are you thinking about?” Austin asked.

“How wild this is. How a few months ago, I was just—me. Living my life. Building my career. And now I’m here. On a yacht. In Tahiti. With you.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“The best thing.” I meant it. “Scary. Definitely scary. But also the best thing.”

“Scary why?”

“Because this feels too good. Like something this perfect can’t possibly last. Like I’m going to wake up and it’ll all have been a dream.”

CHAPTER 39

AUSTIN

It feels pretty incredible.

That was my first thought when Melody said it felt too good. Everything that had happened since the wedding had been pretty incredible. Good wasn’t the right word. It was so much better than that.

It was complicated and messy and terrifying, but incredible.

“I’m glad you showed up at the gala too,” I said. “Best surprise of my life.”

“Even better than Christmas morning when you were seven?”

“I was a rich kid. Christmas was never that exciting. But you? Showing up in that gold dress?” I let my eyes roam over her. “That was magic.”

She smiled, and in the moonlight she looked ethereal. Like something I had dreamed up rather than someone real standing in front of me.

It was perfect. There were few moments in my life that I would ever claim as perfect. Perfect was a big word to live up to, but this was definitely one of those.

The smooth waters. The star-filled sky. The food. The champagne. Everything.

And I was so afraid I was going to fuck it all up. That’s what I did. If there was something good in my life, I found a way to make a mess of it.

I was afraid to say anything. I didn’t want to risk ruining the moment. So, I decided to refill our glasses with more bubbly.

“We should talk about this,” she said.

“This?”

“What we’re doing.”

She was going to pop our perfect little bubble. But it had to happen.

“Okay. Let’s talk.”

We moved to one of the cushioned lounge areas, settling in close together. The yacht rocked gently beneath us. The sound of the water lapping against the side of the boat was soothing. Just adding to the perfectness of the moment.