Page 5 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

I jerked my chin toward Cash, who was now leaning against the counter like he was posing for a cologne ad. Except instead of looking brooding and mysterious, he just looked constipated.

Melody giggled, swatting my arm. “Play nice.”

“I’m always nice.”

“You just compared my future brother-in-law to the Addams Family butler.”

“And? I stand by it. The height, the perpetual frown, the general air of disapproval.” I ticked off the similarities on my fingers. “If he starts saying ‘You rang?’ I’m out of here.”

Melody’s loud laughter filled the air.

“You look happy,” I said. “I’m happy you’re happy.”

“I am. I can’t wait for you to find your man.”

I snorted because I had given up on love. Not given up, but I was pretty sure Melody had gotten the last good one. To be fair, when she found him, he wasn’t the polished guy he was now. She had made him better.

“It’s not a priority right now,” I told her. It was easier than admitting how badly I wanted it. “Life is full, you know? I’ve got work, I’ve got you, I’ve got my camera.” I gestured vaguely at the equipment hanging from my hip. “I’m good.”

“There’s always room for true love, Cleo.” She glanced over at Austin, who was helping Kent with something near the patio doors. The look on her face made my chest physically ache.

That was what I wanted. That certainty. That partnership. That bone-deep knowledge that you’d found your person and they’d found you right back. I wanted someone to look at me first thing in the morning and kiss me despite morning breath. To love all my quirks and tolerate my crazy. Austin fed into Melody’s crazy. They had the cutest relationship.

But I was not jealous.

I just knew the likelihood of lightning striking twice.

“Sweetie, you have no idea how bad the dating world is these days. It’s bleak out there.”

She laughed. “Oh, I definitely know and I don’t envy you, but it will happen.”

She had gotten lucky. I wasn’t sure there was a Mr. Right out there for me. I was a full-figured girlie with loud and eccentric taste. I’d lost count of how many dates from apps had ended with men looking intimidated or put off by my fashion choices. Like wearing a vintage blazer covered in embroidered roses was somehow a personal attack on their masculinity. Or showing up in platform boots and multiple rings meant I was trying too hard. They looked at the purple hair and automatically assumed high maintenance.

I really was chill when I wasn’t bouncing off walls.

Before I could spiral further down that particular rabbit hole of self-pity, Melody’s attention was pulled away to deal with her guests. “Relax. Have a drink or ten. The fridge is stocked and the bar is full. We’ll catch up properly later.”

“Go.” I waved her away. “Be queen over your kingdom.”

She laughed again, which caught Austin’s attention. The way he looked at her made my heart full. He truly loved her. I really didn’t think a guy like him was one, capable of love, and two, that he would love my best friend so completely.

More guests arrived. Melody’s parents walked in, looking sun-kissed and happy. They waved at me. I was genuinely glad to see them. They’d always been kind to me, treating me like I was part of the family rather than just an assistant.

But then, holy shit! Armand and Kathy Bancroft walked through the door.

I stared at them. Like open-mouth gaping.

Armand. Bancroft. The patriarch himself. And Kathy Bancroft. She was essentially the Queen Elizabeth of the United States. Except she was alive. Everyone knew who that woman was. At least everyone in the eastern half of the country. The Bancroft name meant something.

I wouldn’t claim to like the offspring, but Kathy was in a different realm of wow. She was in her seventies but still radiant and beautiful. She carried herself like she truly was royalty. But she also smiled a lot and it looked genuine.

I shook my head in disbelief. This was supposed to be a small weekend getaway with a few friends. Casual. Low-key. Just some beach time and good food and maybe a few too many drinks around the fire pit.

Kathy and Armand Bancroft were not low key.

“Sneaky,” I muttered to myself, suspicion creeping up my spine like a cold finger.

I needed a Diet Coke. Immediately. Caffeine and carbonation and the familiar comfort of my favorite beverage. Some people needed a cigarette, a hit on a vape, or a shot of tequila. I needed Diet Coke.