Page 210 of My Real Love Affair

“Pineapple!” Cleo shouted from the back seat.

“Pineapple?” Cash and I asked at the same time.

“I know. I’ll get out of here.”

“What the hell is pineapple?” Cash asked again.

“It’s our secret code word,” Cleo said. “When Austin stole her away, we had a code word just in case.”

“You thought I was actually going to do something?” I asked incredulously.

Cleo shrugged. “One can never know.”

Cash snorted. “Smart girl.”

“Melody?” Cleo leaned toward the phone. “You’ve got this, babe. Show that bitch what you’re made of.”

Melody’s laugh came through the speakers, warm and slightly shaky. “Thanks, Cleo. Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need luck,” I said. “You’ve got us.”

Through the windshield, I saw a familiar figure approaching the restaurant entrance. It was Summer in a designer dress and heels that could double as weapons.

“She’s here,” I said. “Summer just walked up.”

“I see her,” Melody confirmed. “Okay. I’m putting the phone down now. Don’t hang up.”

“We won’t,” I promised. “We’re right here, baby girl. You’re safe.”

There was a rustling sound as Melody placed her phone down, and then the audio became slightly muffled but still clear enough to hear.

“The only one who isn’t safe is Summer,” Cleo said, her voice hard. “Bitch better watch her six for messing with my bestie.”

I watched Summer enter the restaurant, and my whole body tensed. This was it. Everything we’d planned came down to the next hour.

Cash had his phone out, already recording the audio feed as backup. Cleo was leaning forward between the seats, her eyes fixed on the restaurant entrance like she might will herself inside through sheer determination.

I sat there listening to the ambient sounds coming through the speakers as Summer made her way through the restaurant to the reserved table.

“Melody! Oh my god, you look amazing. I love the outfit.”

“Thanks,” Melody replied, her voice calm.

More rustling. The sound of chairs being pulled out. A server’s voice offering drinks. I held my breath, waiting. This was going to work. It had to work. Because if it didn’t, Summer was going to destroy not just me and my family, but the woman I loved. And that wasn’t an option I was willing to accept.

“So,” Summer said once the server left. “Tomorrow is the big day. Are you ready for this?”

Come on, Summer, I thought.Keep talking. Give us what we need.

“I’m ready,” Melody said. “But I want to make sure we’re on the same page about everything. Tell me again how this is going to go down.”

Perfect. Melody was perfect.

In the back seat, Cleo whispered, “That’s my girl.”

CHAPTER 66

MELODY