Page 41 of Trust Me With Forever

If only I could remember that night.

Emmy’s voice snapped me back to the present. “Not to mention I think you can bring back some of teenager Rafe’s charm again, and maybe even help him open up a bit. And not just to me, but to his old friends as well.”

“I don’t know about getting anyone to open up when I still have trouble doing it myself.” Emmy opened her mouth, but I continued, “As for bringing back his charm and having fun, I’m not the same person I was a few years ago, Emmy.”

She came over and took my hand. “I know you aren’t. But fun-loving Abby still comes out sometimes. All it takes is a drink and a good song on the jukebox at The Watering Hole, and you become the life of the party.”

I snorted. “More like entertainment for everyone watching since I’m not a good dancer.”

“You’re more than that, and you know it. Hell, you can get Amber to dance, and that takes some doing.”

Amber hated being the center of attention, or being noticed by a large group of people. “True.”

She released my hand. “Plus, I think with Rafe at your side, having your back, you’ll feel safe again.” I opened my mouth to protest, but she beat me to it. “I know you’re still worried about Travis showing up in Starry Hills. You showed me a few of his threats that one time, when you were drunk and confessed some of what happened. I still think you should report that asshole and maybe get a restraining order.”

If only I could. But I wasn’t about to tell Emmy about the videos he could release to the world. She’d probably keep mysecret from my brother, but I didn’t want to put her in that position. “I just want to move on from him and focus on getting to know Rafe better, get used to living with him, and maybe think of the future.”

“Well, if you need any help, just let me know.”

“I may need your help with my family, and not just with West. Aunt Lori will meddle, no matter what she might say.”

Emmy nodded. “Aunt Lori will, but only to a point. She’s far more strategic than many people give her credit for.”

“Oh, I learned that a long time ago. Maybe it’s because I’m the youngest, and I lived with her for the longest. But Aunt Lori’s outrageous words hide her cleverness and how lonely she is, too.”

“Well, she likes Fernando Morales, and more than she says out loud. I was with her one time when we went into his antiques shop, and she couldn’t stop staring at him.”

I bobbed my head. “He steals looks at her, too. I sometimes wonder if she holds back to help us all settle down and find happiness before going after her own.”

“Then maybe it’s our turn to meddle and help her because she’s sacrificed so much to take care of us. It’s high time she had someone to care and look after her. Not that we don’t, but you know what I mean.”

“Yes, although it’s going to be tricky, since most of the single people in town seem to flock to him. Even though he’s in his sixties, he’s definitely a sexy silver fox.”

“Hmm, I think we need to visit and welcome him to Starry Hills. We can give him some Starry Wolfe wine and interrogate him at the same time to see if Aunt Lori really has a chance or not.”

Glad to have someone else’s life to focus on, I nodded. “Yes! We can include a card, sign Aunt Lori’s name, and set things in motion.”

And so Emmy helped me forget about Rafe, Travis, and my rough year ahead. Instead, we planned how to help Aunt Lori find some love of her own, or at least a way for her to nab a hot date.

Although, given how my aunt talked about Fernando, I suspected it was more than her finding him attractive. The story of her falling fast for my late uncle was legendary, and I wondered if she’d already started falling for the town’s newcomer.

Because while I may not end up with my happy ending, I could sure as hell help my friends and family get theirs. That would help me face what was to come with Rafe, the conversations we’d have, and my year of maybe getting to sleep with him but never allowing him close to my heart.

Chapter Sixteen

Rafe

West:This is West. You and I need to talk.

Me:Wait, how did you get my number?

West:Emmy. But don’t change the topic.

Me (typed but deleted):It’s none of your fucking business. I’m trying to help your sister.

Me (actual reply instead):Fine. But not until after I finish helping your sister move.

West:Then a warning: Make her so much as shed one tear, and I’ll fucking destroy you.

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