Page 94 of My Real Love Affair

Three dots appeared almost immediately.

Austin:Of course I am, baby girl.

My heart flipped.

Me:Don’t call me that.

It was our thing. The nickname I banned, that he used anyway, that made me blush every time.

Austin:Ground rules aren’t in place anymore, remember? I can say what I want.

Austin:P.S. You really looked beautiful the other day outside the studio. I hope you’re doing well.

Austin:Wish me luck. I have an event tonight and no date.

I stared at that last message. An event. No date.

Was that an invitation? Or just information?

Me:I’m sure you can find someone.

The words felt wrong the second I sent them. Harsh. I waited for a response. Watched the screen. But nothing came. No three dots. No follow-up message. Nothing.

“You okay in there?” Cleo called from outside the dressing room.

“Yeah, just… trying something on.”

I looked at myself in the mirror and the dress I’d forgotten I was wearing. The deep emerald green with a cinched waist and flowing skirt hit just below my knees. It was stunning, exactly the kind of piece I would have gushed over in a normal mood. But I couldn’t stop thinking about Austin’s lack of response.

I changed into the next outfit, a burnt sienna jumpsuit with a plunging neckline and wide legs. It fit like it was made for me. I stepped out to show Cleo.

“Oh damn,” she said, looking up from her phone. “That’s the one. You have to get that.”

“You think?”

“I know. You look incredible.” She stood up, circling me. “The color is perfect with your skin tone. And the cut is surprisingly flattering.”

I turned to look at myself in the three-way mirror outside the dressing room. She was right. The jumpsuit was perfect.

But all I could think about was Austin at some event tonight. Some gala or party or whatever Bancrofts did. Would he find someone to go with him? Would there be more photos of him with another woman?

“Earth to Melody,” Cleo waved her hand in front of my face. “Where did you go?”

“Sorry. Just thinking.”

“About Austin.”

It wasn’t a question. She knew me too well.

“I’m getting the green dress,” I said, quickly changing the subject. “I’m going to try on that red blouse. It’ll be good for fall.”

I disappeared back into the changing room and immediately grabbed my phone. No reply.

I sighed and dropped the phone. I was not going to text him again.

The ball was in his court.

CHAPTER 29