Page 35 of Trust Me With Forever

Everyone stared at me, including Abby, clearly waiting for my reply. “Er, sorry. I was lost in thought about a problem at work.”

West narrowed his eyes before glancing at Abby and back at me again. If anyone would notice my gawking at Abby, he would. Damn former best friend and his perception skills.

Emmy, thankfully, came to my rescue. “We were just curious if the tutoring center would open at the same time as your training programs or not.”

Abby leaned over between me and Avery to lay something on the table, her scent of warm female and vanilla driving me crazy.

Focus, Mendoza.I cleared my throat and replied, “I’m not sure. I only hired Abby a couple days ago, and she has a lot of work to do still. Plus, there’s the construction and getting the supplies and spreading the word. I don’t want to rush it. Abby will have the final say about when she’s ready to open.”

And there I went, rambling.

Beck, Sabrina, and Aunt Lori entered the room with the rest of the food. Before anyone else could speak, Abby did. “This is going to be an awkward dinner if I don’t share something.” She glanced down at me. “Ready?”

Well, leave it to Abby to get straight to the point.

I nodded, and she placed her hand on my shoulder. I quickly covered hers with my own and squeezed.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Abby had convinced me earlier to let her share the news, and so I waited. She took a deep breath and said, “Rafe and I are more than co-workers. In fact, he’s my husband.”

After a few seconds of silence, all hell broke loose.

Chapter Fourteen

Abby

Me:I wish you could be at dinner to help and give me support.

Amber:I know, and I totally would. But if you want Zach there, then I can’t come.

Me (typed but deleted):Is it really that bad? What happened? Because I know something did.

Me (actual reply instead):Am I crazy for even agreeing to this plan?

Amber:We already went through all the pros and cons! Rafe can not only give you some big favor, he’ll take care of Travis once and for all. And I know he will, too.

Me:How can you be so sure?

Amber:Because I remember the teenage boy who carried you back home after you twisted your ankle without complaint. He may have grown up, but I can’t believe Rafe changed that much.

Me:Well, in for a penny, in for a pound, I guess. No turning back now. Wish me luck!

Amber:Good luck! Even if West gets pissed, your family will accept it. I know they will. And I’ll always be here for you. Love you.

Me:You’re the best, Amber. And right back at you.

When I walked into the dining room and saw West glaring daggers at Rafe, I knew I needed to share the news and settle everything as soon as possible. My eldest brother was going to be the hardest one to win over, but at least with his kids and wife in the room, he wouldn’t kill Rafe.

Probably.

Plus, if Rafe kept staring at me as if he were stripping the clothes from my body, everyone would guess anyway. Better to have the truth out now than later be asked why I kept it secret even longer than I had.

So when Rafe stopped rambling, I placed my hand on his shoulder, asked if he was ready, and willed my racing heart to calm down a little. When Rafe squeezed my hand, I got the courage to say, “Rafe and I are more than co-workers. In fact, he’s my husband.”

After a few beats, the room erupted. West demanded to know what the fuck was going on as he charged toward Rafe. Katie and Emmy blinked at me as Avery and Wyatt cheered. Beck and Zane frowned while Zach grinned, winked at me, and gave a thumbs up.

As I tried to figure out how to calm the room and stop West from killing Rafe, Aunt Lori tapped her wineglass with a fork and said, “Calm down and sit your butts back in your chairs. Now.”

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