Page 56 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

Ilooked down at my phone and saw three messages from Melody, each one escalating slightly in concern.

Melody: Hey, you okay?

Melody: You should be up by now right?

Melody: CLEO. TEXT ME BACK.

I winced and typed quickly.

Me: I’m so sorry! I’m fine. Everything’s fine. Just got caught up in breakfast.

Her response came back almost immediately.

Thank God. I was about to ask Austin to track your phone.

I glanced up at Cash, who watched me with mild amusement over the rim of his espresso cup.

Why are you even up right now? I typed. It’s like four in the morning there.

Baby likes to make mommy puke every morning at four. We’re on a schedule now.

Despite myself, I smiled.

Already training you. Smart kid.

The smartest. Now tell me what’s going on. What was the emergency?

I paused, trying to figure out how to explain this without making it sound completely insane. Which it was. But I needed to frame it in a way that didn’t have Melody calling Austin to rescue me from Cash’s alleged kidnapping scheme.

Cash needed help with a client situation. There’s a gala tonight and he needed someone who could work the room and help him read people. Professional thing.

I hit send and waited.

A gala? In ROME?

Yes.

And he called YOU specifically?

Apparently, I have skills he needed on short notice.

There was a longer pause this time. I could practically see Melody sitting in her beautiful apartment, phone in hand, trying to decide if she was buying this.

What kind of gala?

Black tie charity thing. Very fancy. I’m wearing a dress that probably costs more than my rent.

Send pics.

Obviously.

And this is just… professional?

I looked at Cash again. He was scrolling through something on his own phone now, giving me privacy for the conversation but clearly aware it was happening.

Yes, I typed. I’ll fill you in on all the details when I get home. I promise. But right now I need to eat this croissant before it gets cold and that would be a crime against pastry.

Melody texted, Fine. But I want details. All of them.