Page 39 of Trust Me With Forever

West glared at Zach, but I couldn’t help but snort. Which also earned me a glare from my oldest brother.

Beck sighed. “Can we maybe not talk about sex at the dinner table? Do we really need to make that a new rule?”

Katie said, “Ah, you’re no fun, Beck.”

West looked to be at the edge of his patience, but Emmy whispered something into his ear and he visibly relaxed.

Jealousy rushed through me because I’d never have that kind of relationship—where one person knew you better than you knew yourself and could help when needed, be it surviving a disaster or just a few words to ease your worries.

No, I’d never have that because my marriage to Rafe was just pretend.

And after Travis, I wasn’t sure I could trust a man ever again.

Aunt Lori clapped her hands and said, “No more talk of sex at the dinner table. Now, let’s dig in before the food gets cold. And while we eat, we can plan Rafe and Abby’s celebration party. Or, a belated wedding reception? Hmm, maybe we can call it theVegas Marriage Bash. We should make it unforgettable and then we can turn their story into a book!”

I glanced at my aunt. “You’re a writer now?”

She winked. “You don’t know what I have on my laptop.”

My siblings and I all groaned. But Katie asked Aunt Lori what she wrote and if she could read it, until eventually Nolan murmured something into Katie’s ear and the conversation turned back to Rafe’s and my party.

As I ate, I watched Beck, West, and Nolan with their partners, and tears pricked my eyes. It was petty and childish, but it was unfair how they’d all found love despite scoffing at it most of their lives.

Life is unfair. Travis taught you that. However, don’t let that dickhead’s actions ruin the rest of your life.

And if that meant being friends with benefits—and having a fake marriage—for a year to figure out my future on my terms, I’d take it. Because one thing I’d finally admitted to myself this evening was that I wanted Rafe naked and inside me. And if I couldn’t get my happily ever after with love and marriage and children like I’d wanted for so long, then I’d take what I could get.

Once we were living together, it was game on.

Chapter Fifteen

Abby

Rafe:I know you’re moving in soon, but we need to meet and talk about what you remember from that night.

Me:I only remember driving to Vegas. You can just text me now.

Rafe:Fine. You were crying when I found you, something about never getting happiness, and you collapsed against me. Still want to do this via text?

Me (typed but deleted):OMG, what the hell did I say?

Me (actual reply instead):Yes. Anything else?

Rafe:Maybe. But I’m going to tell you in person. My voice might trigger a memory.

Me:Now you’re a therapist?

Rafe:Hey, I’m just trying to figure out how we went from you crying on the side of the road to us waking up married and mostly naked.

Me:Ah, so you haven’t remembered everything, either.

Rafe:No.

Me:We’ll talk later. For now, I have a lot of packing to do.

Rafe:Fine. But just remember, I’ll be working long hours until the training facility opens. So it might be a few days until our paths cross and we can talk properly.

Me (typed but deleted):So you’re going to avoid me. Well, we’ll see about that.

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