Page 128 of My Silver Lining

The sky was just starting to darken, and I broke off a piece of bread and popped it into my mouth. I reached for my glass of wine when my phone vibrated.

Rafael

Hey. Yes. I always have time to talk. Are you home?

Relief flooded. This man always seemed to know what I needed.

I will be soon. I’m just at the café downstairs, having a glass of wine.

Rafael

Are you alone or on a date?

I’m alone. I don’t really want to date.

There. I said it. That was a step.

Rafael

You don’t want to date anyone? Too busy at work?

I can’t really explain it. How about I tell you when I get upstairs, and we can FaceTime?

I chewed on my thumbnail as I waited for a response.

Three little dots swirled and then disappeared.

Nada. Nothing. Zilch. Crickets.

Was he seriously going to ghost me in the middle of a serious conversation?

Was the idea of FaceTiming me that horrible?

“How about you explain it to me now? I’m starving,” Rafe’s voice called out as he strode toward me, long legs closing the distance between us. He had a duffle bag slung over his shoulder, looking sexy and confident.

I nearly knocked the table over as I pushed to my feet and lunged at him.

“What are you doing here?” I said as tears leaked from my eyes again.

Apparently, I was a big, fat crybaby now.

My inner feminist was appalled.

But my heart was too busy crying all the happy tears.

I buried my face in his neck, and he pulled back to look at me.

“You sounded upset on your voice message. Are you disappointed that you aren’t with child?” he smirked.

“I just left that message,” I said with a half-laugh, half-cry, shaking voice. “You were clearly already here. And not to worry, there are no little Chadwicks in the oven. That was just me being me.”

“I know.” He stroked the hair away from my face and led me back to my table.

I sat down and patted the empty seat beside me. “They sit on the same side of the table here.”

He sat down and studied me for a few beats. “I already love it here. I get to sit on the same side of the table as you.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked as I held my hand up and waved at our server, requesting another glass of wine for Rafe.

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