Page 152 of My Real Love Affair

“That was mutiny,” he said, settling back into the driver’s seat.

“That was karma for all the times you’ve teased me.”

“Fair point.” He pulled me against his back again. “But now I’m going to go twice as fast.”

“Don’t you dare.”

He did dare.

At one point, Marco brought out the other jet ski and challenged us to a race. Austin’s competitive side came outimmediately, and we lost spectacularly, but laughed the entire time.

After jet skiing, we tried the inflatable slide. The massive thing the crew set up from the top deck down into the water. I went down first, screaming the whole way. Austin followed, somehow making it look graceful.

We broke for lunch—fresh seafood and tropical fruit served on the sun deck. I couldn’t help but think how normal this had all become. A week ago, this would have felt impossible. Now it just felt like life.

Our life.

After lunch, we moved to the sun deck to tan, stretching out on cushioned loungers side by side. The sun was warm without being too much. The gentle rocking of the yacht was hypnotic.

“We should talk about going home,” Austin said after a while.

I’d been avoiding this conversation, but he was right. We needed to talk about it.

“Okay. What about it?”

“My father and Cash—they don’t think we’re serious. They think this is still a stunt. Still the arrangement we started with.”

I thought about that. About Armand’s skeptical expression at that first dinner. And Cash’s obvious disapproval.

And I realized I didn’t care.

“Let them think what they want,” I said.

Austin turned his head to look at me. “Really?”

“Really. I’m done caring what other people think. Especially people who don’t actually know us. Who don’t know our relationship.” I reached for his hand. “Caring what everyone thinks has always been my kryptonite. It’s why that whole Femme Curve thing hurt so bad. It’s why I let public opinion control so much of my life.”

“And now?”

“I’m choosing to be happy instead of trying to make everyone else happy.” I squeezed his hand. “I am happy, Austin. Really, genuinely happy. And I’m not going to let anyone’s judgment ruin that.”

His smile was slow and brilliant. “You have no idea how good it is to hear you say that.”

“I mean it. Every word.”

He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of his lounger to face me. “Me too. I’m happy too. Happier than I’ve ever been.” His dark eyes held mine. “And I think I’d regret it if we left this boat tomorrow without me asking you an important question.”

My heart started beating faster. “And what question is that?”

He took both my hands in his. “Melody Stephens, will you be my girlfriend?”

I blinked. “Your girlfriend?”

“My real girlfriend. Not for the cameras. Not for New York. Not to prove anything to my family or restore your reputation or any of that shit we started with.” He brought my hands to his lips. “Just for us. For real. Will you go steady with me?”

“Did you just say, ‘go steady’?”

“I’m trying to be romantic here.”