Page 10 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

Austin stepped to the edge of the deck with Melody’s hand in his. She looked up at him, and damn, that was front-page magazine worthy.

I quietly snapped a few pictures. Not for the blog but for her. And him.

“We have some news,” Austin said, loud and clear.

The many quiet conversations around the deck ceased and everyone gave the happy couple their full attention. I felt eyes and glanced over to see Cash watching me. There was the tiniest hint of a smirk on his lips.

Melody and Austin had a secret, but so did we. We knew their secret. That made us co-conspirators in a strange way. I liked it.

What the hell was wrong with me? I didn’t want to like anything that involved Cash Bancroft in any sense of the word.

Ew. No.

I turned my focus back to Melody and Austin.

“We’re pregnant,” Melody announced. Before anyone could clap or offer congrats, she held up a hand. “And because I want to do things in the right order, we’re getting married. Right here on this beach. Four weeks from today.”

The eruption that followed was immediate and total. Kathy Bancroft made a sound that could only be described as a joyful shriek and launched herself at Melody’s mother. Armand’s composure cracked wide open as he stepped forward and clapped Austin on the back. The brothers—all of them tall, dark, and devastatingly gorgeous—converged like a handsome tidal wave.

Even Cash stepped up to join his brothers. I had noticed he seemed to move on the outer edges. Like when you were in school and the teacher quietly moved around the classroom observing, ready to jump in if anyone needed help. Or correction.

Melody picked up a basket I hadn’t noticed earlier. “We have official invitations!” She handed them out and then was in front of me. “Yours.”

I smiled. “Congratulations.”

“Don’t pretend you’re surprised.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Sorry. I know you too well.”

“Open it.”

I opened the wedding invitation. Inside there was small black and white ultrasound photo. That was when my throat closed completely. I stared at that tiny grainy image, the little bean of a person who was going to change everything. Tears came hot and fast before I could stop them.

Melody hugged me. “You’re going to be the best auntie,” she whispered. “The absolute best.”

I couldn’t speak. I just held her and let myself cry into her hair for exactly three seconds before I pulled it together.

“Obviously,” I managed. “This child is going to be so stylish. I’m already planning the wardrobe.”

She pulled back, beaming at me with those eyes filled with pure joy. Austin was there wrapping her up from behind and she was led away to accept more hugs. I stepped back to capture every angle.

This was their moment. I was the one who documented and protected and facilitated. I raised my camera and started shooting, finding the angles that would make these images beautiful enough to match how this moment actually felt.

Kathy and Melody’s mother embracing like they’d known each other for years. Armand with his hand on his son’s shoulder, something soft in his expression that I’d never seen before. Austin with his whole face open in the biggest, most ridiculous grin.

“We did well.”

I lowered my camera. Cash was standing beside me, holding a Diet Coke, which he extended in my direction.

I took it, sniffing it to see if I picked up on any traces of poison or bleach. Nothing. I popped the top and took a sip, letting it rest on my tongue before swallowing.

“I didn’t spike it,” Cash said.

“I know.”

“Do we get to punch out of our unpaid shift now?”

I almost smiled. “I think we’ve earned it.”