Page 52 of My Real Love Affair

“Just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Get a prenup. A really, really good prenup.”

I laughed. “Noted.”

We climbed into my car and headed out to grab some lunch. I found myself looking forward to tomorrow. Not because I was thrilled about a meeting with lawyers, but I was anxious to see my fake girlfriend. Maybe I would convince her to get an early dinner with me after.

CHAPTER 16

MELODY

The car that pulled up outside my townhouse was not what I expected. I’d assumed Austin would send something practical. An Uber maybe. Or one of those generic town cars that wealthy people used when they didn’t want to drive themselves.

Instead, a sleek black Mercedes with tinted windows arrived, and a driver in an actual suit stepped out to open my door.

“Ms. Stephens?” He was probably in his fifties, professional and polished. “Mr. Bancroft sent me to collect you.”

“Oh. Um. Thank you.” I slid into the backseat, which smelled like expensive leather and new car. I tried not to feel completely out of my depth.

The drive to the Morrison Building took twenty minutes through midtown traffic. I spent the entire time checking and rechecking my outfit in my phone’s camera. Black blazer over a cream silk blouse, tailored trousers, my most professional heels. I’d even worn my hair in a sleek low bun instead of my usual loose waves.

If I was going to meet with lawyers that a Bancroft hired, I was damn well going to look like I belonged there. I had a feeling they were the kind of lawyers that costs four-figures an hour.

The Morrison Building was exactly as intimidating as I’d feared. It screamed money. I stepped into the lobby and tried not to gasp at the opulence. I had been in plenty of other fancy buildings, but none compared.

I looked around the lobby and felt like I had stepped into another world. I knew fashion. I knew the men and women coming and going through the lobby were all wearing designer clothes and shoes.

Money.

Success.

Power.

I was surrounded by it.

And then my eyes landed on him. Austin was watching me as he leaned against the reception desk looking like he’d stepped out of a fashion magazine. He’d dressed up too. Dark gray suit that fit him perfectly, crisp white shirt, navy tie that brought out his eyes. His hair was slightly less messy than usual. He looked professional. Powerful. And absolutely devastating.

“Hey,” he said, pushing off the desk and crossing to me with that easy confidence he wore like a second skin. “You made it.”

Oh, to be that confident in your own skin.I was doing okay on self-esteem, but he oozed it.

“I made it,” I said.

His eyes traveled over my outfit with a slow smile spreading over those perfect lips. “You look incredible.”

“It’s just a blazer.”

“It’s not just anything.” He stepped closer, and I caught the scent of his cologne. “You look like you’re about to close a multi-million-dollar deal.”

“Aren’t I?”

“Technically yes. But you’re making it look effortless.” He offered his arm. “Ready?”

I took it. “As I’ll ever be.”

He led me to an elevator. I stood stiffly as he pushed the button. We stepped inside with a few other people. I didn’t know why I was so nervous. The worst that could happen was they told me to go kick rocks. That would be that.