Page 72 of Trust Me With Forever

And after drinking copious amounts of vodka on the plane—trying and failing to get the courage needed to watch the rest of the video—I passed out for the remainder of the flight.

Once we reached the airport near Starry Hills, Rafe managed to get me into his car and then into his house, all with me barely awake.

Eventually morning came, and I lingered in bed. Both because my head pounded and because I didn’t want to leave the safety of my room.

However, Rafe eventually knocked on the door and his voice came through the door. “Abby, you need to eat something before we go over to your family’s place. You know you get grumpy when you get hungry.”

I flung my arms to the side and stared at the ceiling. “Can’t we put off seeing my family until tomorrow? I have a hangover and I’m still getting used to the time difference.”

“Can I come in so I don’t have to talk through a door?”

It would be easy to say no, stay right where I was, and be a coward for a little longer.

But I missed my family, my friends, and part of me yearned to finally be free of the secrets I’d been carrying.

Well, most of them. The one about Rafe and my marriage could wait for another day.

After sighing and rubbing my face, I replied, “Fine, come in.”

Rafe entered, carrying a tray. The smell of pancakes and sausage made my stomach growl.

I sat up against the headboard, and he placed the food in front of me. The rose lying at the top of the tray warmed my heart.

Rafe was such a good guy, so sweet, and so different from his playboy image. I was starting to understand just how lonely he must’ve been overseas.

Stop pushing him away. If nothing else, he’s your friend. A sexy friend you dream about riding, but still a friend.

I scooted over a little with the tray and gestured for him to sit next to me. Once he’d settled and leaned against the headboard, his heat and scent wrapped around me, familiar and calming.

He said, “Don’t put off seeing your family, Abby. I did that for nearly ten years with my sister, trying to avoid a much-needed conversation, and it only hurt us both. And yes, I know you wouldn’t wait ten years, but the longer you delay, the longer you have to carry the burden on your shoulders.”

He looked over to meet my gaze, and I took his hand closest to mine and threaded my fingers through his. “I don’t really want to wait. But I’m also afraid of what they’ll think.”

“Don’t be. Like I told you, Emmy said they all can’t wait to see you. And I’m sure they have some sort of group text, like always.”

I’d been putting off reading them, but I wouldn’t any longer, once I was alone again.

He gestured. “Eat, Abigail. It’ll help with your hangover.”

I released his hand and cut into my pancakes. “Thank you, Rafe. For everything.”

“Of course, Abigail. I’ll always be there for you. Always.”

I focused on chewing my food and not looking at Rafe. Because it wouldn’t take much for me to toss the tray to the floor, kiss him, and ask him to make love to me.

Today’s not about your attraction. Get your life straightened out first.

I decided to change the topic. “I just wanted to let you know that I’ll help any way I can with the training center. I’m already thinking of people who might replace me.”

“Replace you?”

“Well, yes. You can’t want me working there now.”

He gently took my chin and turned my head until I looked at him. He said, “The job is still yours. And yes, I talked with Mark about it. He, like most of the town, knows you, Abby, and doesn’t believe some questionable, gossipy content creator. We want the best working for us, which means we want you.”

My eyes heated, and I laughed awkwardly. “How is it that you’re so nice that I want to cry all the time?”

His thumb brushed the tears off my cheek. “I don’t know. I don’t want you to cry. But I cared for you, Abigail Mendoza, even before you became my wife.”

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