Page 82 of My Real Love Affair

“Maybe. But that still doesn’t make you stupid for hoping.” She grabbed a cookie and handed it to me. “Eat. Then we’re going to watch a bunch of twenty-somethings fumble through life in the most hilarious way possible.”

I took a bite of the cookie. It was gooey, sweet, and exactly what I needed.

“How many times do you think we’ve watched this series?” I asked.

She reached for the remote and pulled up the show. We settled in, pizza, wine, and sweets. It helped having her here. It was nice having someone in my corner who didn’t judge or question. She just showed up when I needed her most.

I was starting to feel almost human again. The wine was definitely helping. There was another knock at my door.

“I swear, if that’s a reporter or a photographer or anyone here to bother you, I’m going to lose it,” Cleo said.

“It’s probably just a delivery.” I stood, grateful to have something to do besides sit and wallow.

I opened the door.

And my heart stopped.

Austin stood on my doorstep.

He looked rough. His hair was messy, not in the artfully tousled way but in the way that said he just rolled out of a hospital bed. Or coffin. He had dark circles under his eyes. His clothes were rumpled. He looked like his day had been about as good as mine had.

But he was here.

“Melody,” he said. Even his voice sounded rough. But I supposed when you partied all night, that was to be expected. “Can we talk? Please?”

Behind me, I heard Cleo make a sound that was somewhere between a growl and a hiss.

“You have some nerve,” she said, appearing at my side. “Coming here after what you did.”

“I know. I know how it looks.”

“It looks like you got bored with my best friend and moved on to the next pretty face you saw.” Cleo crossed her arms. “It looks like you’re exactly what everyone said you were. You also look like you need about a six-foot by seven-foot hole. Maybe seven by three.”

Austin’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. Just kept his eyes on me.

“Melody, please. Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”

“You don’t deserve five seconds,” Cleo spat.

But I held up a hand, stopping her. Because despite everything, part of me wanted to hear what he had to say.

Even if that made me the biggest fool in New York.

“It’s okay, Cleo,” I said quietly.

“It’s not okay. He doesn’t get to?—”

“Five minutes.” I looked at Austin. “That’s all you get.”

He nodded, relief flashing across his face. “Thank you.”

“Melody, slam the door in his face! Wait, let me pull him forward and then you slam it shut. I want to mess up that pretty face.”

The look on Austin’s face was comical. He wasn’t sure if she was being serious. I knew she was.

CHAPTER 25

AUSTIN