Page 96 of My Real Love Affair

“Dad.”

“I’d like to have a word before the evening gets underway.”

Every muscle in my body tensed. “I’m actually good. Nothing to talk about.”

“There’s plenty to talk about.”

“I think you mean you want to talk and I’m expected to listen.”

I’m pushing it. I know I am, but if I’m going down, no use in kissing ass. I’ll burn it all down as I crash.

“You’re burning bridges you might need later,” my father warned.

“I’m fine with burning bridges. Most of them were built on bullshit anyway.” I took another drink. “Besides, you’ve got plenty of other sons to be proud of. Cash is right there, successfully meeting all your expectations. Why don’t you go talk to him about bridge maintenance?”

“Austin—”

“It’s fine, Dad. Really. I’m the black sheep, the disappointment, the one who will never quite measure up. I’ve accepted it. Shouldn’t that make you happy? I’m finally staying in my lane.”

Dad stared at me evenly, his expression unreadable. Kent and Sylvie had gone very quiet beside us. Kent and I were very much alike. He had been the one on the verge of being disowned a few months ago. He had gone up against our father and somehow he managed to come through just fine. That’s how I found myself back in the fold, so to speak. I wasn’t actually in the fold. I was still on the outskirts, and honestly, I was good with that.

But now it looked like I was going to be living the life of a regular heir instead of a Bancroft heir. The difference? A few hundred million dollars. So was I going to be poor? Not even a little, but Bancroft rich was not the same as regular rich.

I told Kent, when he asked me for advice all those months ago, that he would be okay. Iwillbe okay too.

I could see Dad calculating his next words. He wouldn’t make a scene, but he was definitely thinking about grabbing me by the ear and dragging me into a dark hallway to deliver one of his lectures.

Sylvie gasped. “Wow. She’s gorgeous.”

The words cut through the tension. I turned to follow her gaze, looking toward the grand entrance. And my heart stopped.

A woman stood there, framed in the doorway. She wore a gown that seemed to shimmer. Not quite gold, not quite champagne, something in between that caught the light and made her glow. The dress highlighted her curves before flowing out in soft folds of silk. Her hair fell in waves around her shoulders, dark and glossy. Ruby earrings caught the light, matching her lips, which were painted that deep rose color I’d been dreaming about.

She looked uncertain. Out of place. Like she was considering turning around and leaving. I couldn’t move. I stared at her. It wasn’t just me staring at her.

The woman knew how to make an entrance. Although, judging by the nervousness on her face, she wasn’t used to making an entrance. She was panicking. Searching.

For me?

Her eyes found mine across the ballroom. And the smile that broke across her face nearly knocked me on my ass. My girl. Melody was here.

I didn’t think. Didn’t consider the optics or what my family would think or what anyone would say. I just moved.

I crossed the ballroom in what felt like two strides, aware of heads turning, conversations stopping, phones coming out. But I didn’t care about any of it. I only cared about getting to her.

She walked toward me looking a bit like a fawn in heels that made her legs look endless. I knew she wasn’t fond of heels. But damn, she looked good in them. I stopped in front of her, catching both her hands in mine before she could second-guess whatever impulse had brought her here.

“What are you doing here?” It wasn’t exactly a friendly greeting. I was just so surprised to see her.

Surprised in a good way. I was afraid to hope she was there for me, but I desperately hoped that was the case.

“Being stupid and impulsive,” she whispered. I could see her nerves now, the way her hands trembled slightly in mine. “It didn’t sit right with me.”

“What?” I asked with confusion.

“I couldn’t let you walk into this night with your family alone. After what you did for me, I owe you this much.”

“Thank you. I know you didn’t have to and you probably don’t want to see me, but you have no idea how grateful I am to see you right now.”