Page 141 of My Real Love Affair

Melody gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh my god!”

The crew had set up a fireworks display from the tender boat, now anchored a safe distance away. Colors burst across the sky. Gold and silver and brilliant blue, reflecting off the calm water.

“Wow! You really know how to show a girl a good time.”

I winked. “I told you, I want you to remember this little trip.”

“There’s no way I will ever forget any of it,” she said.

She settled back against me, her hand finding my knee. We watched the show in silence. Each explosion painted her face in different colors. I found myself watching her more than the fireworks.

She smiled. Laughed when a particularly large one went off. Pointed at shapes in the smoke.

But when she thought I wasn’t looking? When her attention drifted?

That distance was back. Her thoughts were loud, even though she wasn’t speaking. I could practically hear them churning. Something was wrong. Something was bothering her. And I needed to know what it was.

I couldn’t begin to guess what had happened. I had gotten out of the shower, dressed, and made sure dinner was on time. I asked about the fireworks. An hour tops. Something happened during that hour. Was she having second thoughts about spending time with me?

The fireworks finale was spectacular. Multiple colors bursting at once. Little hearts and happy faces exploded across the sky. The crew had really gone all out.

When it ended, Melody turned to me with shining eyes. “That was amazing. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I kissed her temple. “Come on. Let’s head down.”

We made our way to our stateroom, her hand in mine. She was quiet.

Inside our room, she headed straight for the bathroom to take off her makeup. I watched her for a moment, trying to figure out how to approach this. Whether to push or give her space.

Then I made a decision.

I turned on the tub, adjusting the temperature and adding some of the expensive bath oils the yacht had stocked. The bathroom filled with steam and the scent of lavender.

Melody was at the sink, wiping off her eye makeup with careful strokes. Meeting my eyes in the mirror.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Running you a bath.”

“I showered a few hours ago,” she said. “I haven’t actually done anything to need to bathe. Unless this is your way of telling me I stink.”

I laughed. “You smell amazing. I want to take care of you.” I came up behind her, resting my hands on her hips. “Something’s bothering you tonight. What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

But the words came too quickly. Too smoothly.

“Melody, I can tell.”

“I’m just tired. It was a long day with all that sun.” She set down the makeup wipe and turned to face me. “The bath sounds nice though. Thank you.”

I studied her face, trying to read what she wasn’t saying. But she had put up walls. I couldn’t see past them.

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” I said finally. “But I’m here. If you want to talk. About anything.”

Something cracked in her expression. Just for a second. Like she was considering whether to let me in.

Then the walls came back up. “I know. Thank you.”