Page 50 of My Real Love Affair

“She makes me want to be a better man.”

“Oh my god. Did she have you at hello?” He scoffed.

“I didn’t know what I was missing until I met her.” I was really leaning into it now. Rodney looked like he wanted to physically shake me. “She’s changed my life. Changed how I see everything. And yeah, maybe it’s fast. Maybe it’s crazy. But when something feels this right, you just have to take it.Carpe diem.”

“I’m going to throw up.”

“You can’t throw up. You’ll ruin my moment.” I grabbed the ring I’d been examining from the very beginning. It really did seem like something Melody would wear. It would look good on her. Then I got an idea.

I dropped to one knee right there in the middle of the jewelry store.

Rodney’s eyes went wide. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Practicing.” I held the ring up to him. “Rodney Mitchell, will you marry me?”

“Austin, I swear to god.” His blue eyes were filled with horror. Rodney was a big guy, but he also looked like a surfer. He was a playboy. My wing man.

“I promise to love and cherish you. To put up with your terrible golf game and your even worse taste in whiskey. To be faithful and true, even when you’re being a complete pain in my ass.”

“Get up,” he said, glancing around.

“Is that a yes? I need an answer, Rodney. You’re leaving me hanging here.”

The sales associate was trying very hard not to laugh. The people filming had moved closer, probably trying to get audio. This was perfect.

Rodney’s face had gone from green to bright red. “I hate you so much right now.”

“Don’t play hard to get.”

“Austin.”

I stood up, grinning. “Fine, fine. Guess I’ll have to save the real proposal for Melody. As long as she doesn’t tell me she hates me, I’m good to go.”

“You’re insane. Completely insane.” But Rodney was laughing now, despite himself. “I can’t believe you just did that. You’re lucky I didn’t say yes.”

I chuckled. “I had to practice. Make sure I get it right when it counts.”

“This is all for your dad?” he asked.

“And me. My future. That woman is going to give me a herd of little Austins.”

“God help the world. Has your dad met her?”

I took a long breath. “Not yet.”

“Does he know you’re popping the question?”

I shook my head. “Nope, but he’ll find out soon enough.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, still holding the ring, and felt a savage satisfaction when I saw the name on the screen.

Dad.

Dad:Sunday dinner. 6. Estate. We need to discuss your recent behavior and this relationship everyone is talking about. Don’t be late.

I showed Rodney, who whistled low. “Armand sounds pissed.”

“Armandis always pissed.” I typed back a response designed to irritate him further.