Page 41 of Rafe: Sins of the Father

“You don’t feel the same? He doesn’t make you feel all giddy inside?”

I blush, because he does, and she sees it.

“I thought so.” Her hand lands on my knee and she leans in. “Just because a man has a pedigree and a fancy diploma and all the money in the world, doesn’t make him a man who’d do right by you. You know what I’m saying?”

“Yes,” I reply, thinking about Alex Powers.

“Find a man with a good heart, one who’s not afraid to be vulnerable with you, and one who’ll protect you with his dying breath. Then you’ve found happiness.” She lifts her glass. “There. I’ll get down off my soapbox.”

“I hear what you’re saying.”

“Look, no matter what happens with you and Rafe, I hope we can be friends.”

“I’d like that,” I reply.

“Good. We’re all having brunch next weekend. Can you come?”

“Next weekend?”

“Yep. Sunday at 11am. Please say you’ll come.”

“I’d love to, if I can make it.”

Melissa pulls out her phone. “What’s your number?”

I reel it off, and she sends me a text.

Rosalie’s 11am next Sunday.

“There. Now you have my number.”

“Thank you.”

Some good music comes on over the speakers, and Harley Jean dances over to us.

“Let’s dance, ladies.”

“We’re talking,” Melissa says.

“What are you two talking about?” Harley reaches past me for her drink on the bar.

“I invited her to brunch next weekend.”

Harley’s eyes bug out, and she waves her hand like a fan while she tries to swallow down her gulp. “Yes! You have to come.”

All of a sudden, we hear a load roar and look at each other with wide eyes.

Cody leans on the bar, but at the sound, he moves to the front door and opens it. Rain pours down in sheets, and the wind blows the spray in on us.

“It’s really coming down.” He looks at the sky, then closes the door.

“The bikes are getting soaked. Maybe we’ll all spend the night here,” Melissa says.

“Here?” I straighten on my barstool. “I can’t stay here. I need to get home.”

“You told me that guy smashed in the glass on your back door? The place isn’t safe. I’m sure Rafe will want to get it fixed before he lets you stay there.”

The thought that he would look out for me fills me with warmth.

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