Page 182 of My Real Love Affair

I thought about the day. How everything felt right even when we were doing nothing at all. The fact that I could be just as happy on her couch in my boxers as I’d been on a luxury yacht said something.

It said we had something real. Something that transcended money and status and all the superficial bullshit I’d spent years chasing.

When we went to bed that night, we were both pretty sexed out. I didn’t think that was even possible, but I was actually looking forward to simply holding her.

I lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling, with an incredible woman in my arms. I realized something that should have scared me but didn’t—I could do this every day for the rest of my life and never get bored.

CHAPTER 56

MELODY

Ichecked my reflection in the full-length mirror one more time. The lavender cocktail dress I’d chosen had a high-low hemline that showed off my legs while still feeling elegant enough for a Broadway show. The color made my eyes pop, and I’d paired it with strappy silver heels, not my usual sneakers. Tonight called for something special.

Normally, I would wear sneakers because I’m just a normal New Yorker that would have to walk twenty-two miles to get to the show. But I was with a Bancroft, which meant we would get the red-carpet experience. I only had to make it out of the car and inside the venue. And I liked the way the heels made my legs look awesome.

I slicked on my lipstick, adding the glossy finish, and hoped it was enough. I loved dressing up. I loved to look pretty, but I hated the expectations.

“You look incredible,” Austin said from the doorway, and I turned to find him leaning against the doorframe in a perfectly tailored black suit that made him look like he’d stepped out of a magazine.

Damn. He’s mine.“You clean up pretty well yourself, Bancroft.”

He crossed the room in three strides and pulled me close, his hands settling on my hips. “You sure you want to go out? We could stay in.”

I laughed, even as my body responded to his proximity. “Nice try. You promised me a show, and I’m holding you to it.”

“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

I grabbed my matching clutch, and off we went. The waiting town car was sitting at the curb. That was something I was really getting used to. I loved being chaperoned. I loved his car, but I liked that we could sit back, relax and not worry about paying attention to the road.

Austin held my hand in the back seat, his thumb tracing circles on my palm while we talked about nothing and everything. When had this become so natural? When had being with him started to feel like coming home?

“What are you smiling about?” he asked.

“You. Us. This.” I squeezed his hand. “I’m just really happy.”

He flashed me one of those sexy smiles. “Me too, baby girl. Me too.”

The Winter Garden Theatre was everything I hoped it would be. It was grand and beautiful, with ornate details everywhere I looked. Austin had somehow managed to get us orchestra seats, center section, sixth row. The best seats in the house.

“How did you get these?” I asked.

“Bancroft connections,” he said with a wink. “Gotta be good for something.”

“Please tell me you didn’t bump anyone.”

“I didn’t bump anyone,” he insisted. “We’ve been over this.”

As we made our way to our seats, I felt eyes on us. Whispers followed in our wake, phones appearing to snap quick photos. A few months ago, this kind of attention would have made me self-conscious. I would be second-guessing every move. Butwith Austin’s hand in mine, I found I didn’t care what anyone thought.

We weren’t putting on a show for them. We were just two people enjoying a night out. If they took pictures, whatever. It wasn’t going to change our night.

“They’re staring,” I murmured as we settled into our seats.

“Let them.” He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles. “I don’t care who’s watching.”

The lights dimmed before I could respond, and the show began. I had wanted to seeHadestownfor months. It was the story of Orpheus and Eurydice retold with a jazz-infused score that had won every award imaginable. I didn’t go to many Broadway shows. Only ones that I knew were going to be really good. With the price of tickets, I wasn’t about to drop that kind of cash for a crappy show.

But from the first notes, I was completely absorbed.