Page 73 of Trust Me With Forever

I searched his gaze. “What are you talking about?”

He shrugged one shoulder. “You were my sister’s best friend. And despite how annoying you were back in the day, you had your own kind of charm.”

“Oh, right.” Realizing how disappointed I sounded, I quickly added, “Well, if I’m to eat, shower, and get ready in the next hour and a half, I’d better get started. I’m sure you have some work to do.”

He looked about ready to say something else, but then nodded and slid off the bed. “I need to answer some emails forthe training facility, as well as talk to my assistant. I’ll be in my home office, if you need me.”

As soon as the door closed behind him, I mentally scolded myself for chasing him away.

But I pushed that aside. I was going to have to face my family and friends soon, and I need to be ready to answer any questions they asked.

Oh, and think of contingency plans in case my five brothers decided to hop in the pickup truck and go hunting for my bastard ex.

Two hours later, Rafe opened my car door and once I stood, he took my hand in his. He asked, “Ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

He walked and tugged me along. But we’d only made it a few steps before the front door opened and Avery came racing toward us.

I barely registered my niece flying toward me before she engulfed me in a hug. I hugged her back and said, “It’s nice to see you too, Avery.”

She replied, “Daddy said you needed a hug.”

I held her tighter. “Thank you. You give the best hugs, after all.”

Wyatt had walked up to us, and after hesitating, joined in the hug.

As I held my niece and nephew, I looked up and saw Aunt Lori standing in the doorway, beckoning us to come in. However, I enjoyed the group embrace a little longer before I found my voice. “Thanks, both of you. I feel much better now.”

They finally released me, and Avery tilted her head. “Daddy said you might be sad, or angry, or both. Although we’re not allowed to ask what’s wrong yet, but you can always tell me. I won’t tell anyone.”

“Thanks, Avery. Maybe later. But first, I need to talk with the adults.”

Avery sighed. “Adults have all the fun.”

Wyatt muttered, “Let’s go, Avery. I want to ride Thunder.”

Avery said, “For now, Wyatt and I are going over to the King’s place to see and ride the horses. But I made cookies for you! And don’t leave before we get back. I want to hear about your trip to England. Do they really all talk funny over there?”

I smiled. “They have accents, yes.” I lowered my voice dramatically. “But some of them are pretty sexy.”

Wyatt rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to hear about sexy anything. Avery already talks too much about Diego at school.”

Avery’s cheeks heated. “I do not!”

“Do too!”

With that, Wyatt raced down the path to the King’s place on the other side of the winery, and Avery chased after him. When we were alone again, Rafe whispered, “I’m glad we can take them out for the day and give them back to my sister and your brother.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to joke about our future kids, but then I remembered we weren’t married for real.

So I grabbed his hand, tugged, and shouted, “Aunt Lori! Rafe would love to answer your questions about James the Goalie.”

Rafe muttered curses, and I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

But Aunt Lori replied, “Maybe later, child. Right now, come in and tell us what’s going on.”

At Aunt Lori’s look, I knew she wouldn’t be distracted. She was determined to find out what had happened, no matter what.

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