Page 46 of My Real Love Affair

“After?”

“After you break up. The media destroys couples after a breakup. And they’re especially brutal to women. They’ll say you were using him, that you were never good enough for him anyway, or that you were just a phase.” She looked at me with pity in her eyes. “What makes you think Austin can protect you from that fallout?”

My stomach twisted. “He said we’d control the narrative. Make it amicable.”

“And you believe that’ll work?”

“I don’t know. But what’s my alternative? Stay canceled? Watch my career crumble? At least this gives me a fighting chance.”

“Or it ends in an even bigger mess than the one you’re already in.”

“Maybe.” I set down my coffee. “But dating a Bancroft? Even fake dating? That’s going to open doors I never could’ve accessed otherwise. I can leverage all of that to rebuild. And when we break up, hopefully I’ll be in a strong enough position that the fallout won’t destroy me.”

Cleo studied me carefully. “You’ve really thought this through.”

“I spent all night thinking about it.”

“And you’re sure about this? Sure about him?”

“I’m not sure about anything. But I know I can’t keep spiraling. I need help, and Austin’s offering it.” I picked at the edge of my coffee cup. “Besides, it’s not like this is real. We have rules. Boundaries. A clear exit strategy.”

“Uh-huh.” Cleo didn’t look convinced, but she let it drop. “Well, if you’re doing this, we’re doing it right. When do I get to train him?”

“Soon, I think. We need to coordinate schedules.”

“I’m going to make him practice posing. And figure out his angles. And teach him how to hold a purse without lookingawkward.” She was getting more animated by the second. “Oh! And I need to coach him on captions. Because if he posts something cringe, that reflects on you.”

“He agreed to let me approve all his posts first.”

“Smart girl.” She clinked her coffee against mine. “Okay, I’m on board. Let’s make this fake relationship the most believable thing anyone’s ever seen.”

We got back to work on editing photos and creating reels with silly music in the background. My doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” Cleo said, already on her feet.

I heard the door open, heard Cleo’s surprised “Oh!” and then she was calling me.

“Mel! You need to see this!”

I walked to the door and gasped when I saw the delivery man holding the most enormous, most beautiful flower arrangement I’d ever seen. Roses, peonies, hydrangeas, and flowers I couldn’t even name. It was a huge bouquet.

“There’s a card.” She handed me the small envelope tucked into the arrangement. My hands shook slightly as I opened it.

Take a picture. Post to socials. Tag me. Write something cute and sappy. Text me when it’s live. I’ll handle the rest. Austin

It was stupid and ridiculous, but I felt butterflies low in my belly.

“What does it say?” Cleo demanded as she carried the vase into the living room.

I showed her the note. She read it, then looked up at me with a knowing expression.

“He’s good,” she said. “I’ll give him that.”

“It’s just strategy. Part of the arrangement.”

“Uh-huh. Sure.” But she was already positioning the flowers on my coffee table, adjusting them for the best light. “Come on, let’s get this shot while the light is perfect.”

I stood behind the arrangement, suddenly feeling ridiculous. “What am I supposed to do?”