Page 209 of My Real Love Affair

“That was one time and I had a drink spilled on me. I took off my shirt to rinse it and then dry it under the hairdryer. I put it on inside out.”

“And this one,” Cash continued, scrolling. “You’re photobombing someone’s engagement photo in Central Park. You look completely unhinged.”

Cleo was giggling now, leaning over to point at the screen. “That’s one of my favorites. And look at this one. He’s trying to get into the wrong car. The driver looks terrified.”

“I was drunk,” I protested. “And it was a black SUV. They all look the same.”

Cash was damn near cackling now as he scrolled through more photos. I had never seen my oldest brother look so completely unguarded, laughing at something genuinely funny instead of maintaining his usual controlled demeanor. I would have expected a long lecture for those pictures. Maybe he would scold me later.

“This account is incredible,” Cash said, wiping his eyes. “Who runs it?”

Cleo and I exchanged a look in the rearview mirror.

“That’s classified information,” she said primly.

“Cleo runs it,” I said.

“Snitch!” She smacked the back of my seat.

Cash turned to look at her with something like admiration. “You made this? The captions, the commentary, all of it?”

“Someone had to document his crimes against fashion and common sense,” Cleo said, but she was smiling. “It started as a way to blow off steam when I was mad at him for hurting Melody. Then it kind of took off.”

“It has eight hundred thousand followers,” Cash said, still scrolling.

“Eight hundred and twelve thousand, actually. We gained two thousand just today after Melody’s post went viral.”

They spent the rest of the drive trading the phone back and forth, finding the worst photos and laughing at my expense. I should have been annoyed, but honestly, it was nice to see Cash loosening up. And Cleo seemed to be warming to him, her usual sharp edges softening as they bonded over humiliating me.

We pulled up a block away from the restaurant. The mood in the car shifted immediately. The laughter died away, replaced by the tension of what we were about to do. I hated that it had to happen like this, but it was the best plan we could come up with.

“Okay,” Cash said, his professional demeanor sliding back into place. “Let’s review the plan one more time.”

“Melody goes in, meets with Summer,” Cleo recited. “She stays on the call so we can hear everything. She gets Summer to admit on record that she’s fabricating parts of her story and trying to manipulate Melody into joining her takedown of the Bancrofts.”

“Right,” Cash continued. “Austin and I have the legal team on standby. Once we have the recording, we submit it as evidence for the injunction. If Summer tries to go forward with her exposetomorrow, we can prove she’s acting in bad faith and potentially have her charged with extortion.”

“And Melody stays safe,” I added. “That’s the most important part.”

“Obviously,” Cleo said, rolling her eyes. “You think I’d let my bestie walk into danger without backup? I’m still pissed I can’t sit there with her. I’d really like to look this Summer chick in the eyes. I don’t like her fucking with Melody. She’s trying to use her and that is not cool.”

I nodded. I felt the same way, but I trusted Melody. She was strong and she wanted to do this for me. She wanted to protect me, which I thought was very cool. It made me love her even more.

My phone rang. I glanced down and saw Melody’s face. I answered immediately, the call connecting through the car’s Bluetooth.

“Hey,” her voice came through the speakers. “I’m here. Just got seated.”

I could hear ambient noise in the background.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Nervous. But ready.” She paused. “Summer’s not here yet. I’m at the table she reserved. Very dramatic of her.”

“That’s Summer,” Cash muttered. “Always about the dramatics.”

“I’m going to leave the call connected but put my phone face down on the table,” Melody said. “That way you can hear everything but it won’t be obvious.”

“Good,” I said. “We’re right outside. If anything feels wrong you let us know.”