Page 51 of My Real Love Affair

Me:K

Just K. Nothing else.

Rodney winced. “You really like living dangerously, don’t you?”

“It’s the only way I know how to live.” I turned back to the sales associate. “I’ll take this one.”

“Absolutely, Mr. Bancroft. Would you like a box or will your friend be wearing it out?” The woman was smiling, and I laughed at her joke.

Even Rodney grinned.

We finished up the purchase and left the store. The people who’d been filming us scattered like roaches when we headed for the door.

I checked my phone again. Oddly enough, I was looking for a message from her. Why? Why would she text me? There was no reason for her to text me. It was just a professional thing.

There wasn’t a new text message, but the new email notification was on. It was an email from the lawyers I had looking into the brand that touched up Melody’s pictures without her consent.

I opened it while we walked, scanning the legal jargon. They’d reviewed Melody’s contract with Femme Curve and found several potential breaches. Unauthorized image manipulation. Failure to provide final approval rights. Misrepresentation of the campaign’s scope and intent.

We had them. Really had them. The email included next steps, recommended strategy, and a request to meet with Melody directly to go over everything.

Perfect.

I pulled up my text thread with Melody.

Me:Lawyers have details about the Femme Curve situation. We have a meeting tomorrow afternoon. 2 work for you?

Three dots appeared almost immediately.

Melody:Tomorrow? That’s fast.

Me:Bancrofts don’t wait around and lawyers love billable hours. Is 2 good or not?

Melody:It’s good. Where?

Me:I’ll send a car for you. My lawyers’ office.

Melody:That’s very Bancroft of you.

Me:You’ll get used to it.

No response. But I was pretty sure she was smiling.

“You’re texting her right now, aren’t you?” Rodney asked.

“Don’t be jealous.”

He ignored the statement. “And you’re smiling like an idiot.”

“I don’t smile like an idiot.”

“You’re literally smiling like an idiot right this second.” He shook his head. “Man, you’ve really fallen for this girl.”

I pocketed my phone. “She’s special. I told you.”

“I’m happy for you, man. Really. Even if I think you’re moving way too fast and probably going to regret this in six months. But if she makes you happy, if she’s really as great as you say she is, then fuck it. Do something crazy. Marry the girl.”

“Thanks.”