Page 36 of My Silver Lining

“Okay, Rafael. It’s game time,” she said.

Let’s do this.

ten

. . .

Lulu

I’ve attended morefamily events in my life than I could begin to count. But tonight had been the best one yet.

My fake boyfriend was a hit.

I spent years dating a guy I always thought was the life of the party. The yin to my yang. But it always ended in drama. Beckett was sloppy and selfish, and he always found a way to bring a good night to a catastrophic end.

But Rafe Chadwick… he was the whole package.

He rocked a black suit like he just stepped off the runway for a luxury brand. He charmed all the women, including my grandmother, who was a hard nut to crack. He spun her around on the dance floor before getting her a cocktail and helping her to her seat.

My grandfather had taken him and my father to his den to smoke a cigar, which had Charlotte seething because Gramps had never done that with Hunter.

My mother couldn’t get enough of my fake boyfriend.

Even Francois Tremblay was enamored.

But my father talking to him was the biggest surprise. He was skeptical of anyone I brought around him, and always had been.But he seemed to be very comfortable with Rafe. He stopped asking him endless questions, and they were just having normal conversation last I checked.

I stepped out of the bathroom and leaned against the wall, typing out a quick text to Henley.

Hey, Hen! Rafe is killing it. They love him. Thank you for dating Easton and finding me the best fake boyfriend ever. Even freaking Charlotte can’t come up with anything negative to say.

Henley

I’m not surprised. He’s very loveable. What about Francois?

He sees a long future for us. The whole fairytale bullshit. We freaking did it. We pulled it off. One more day to go, and we’ll take a few photos and head home.

Henley

Wow. This is the first time I’ve ever talked to you when you were at a family event that you weren’t miserable. You should take Rafe with you to all of them.

No can do. We have big plans to break up the day after his boss’s wedding.

Henley

Damn. This is the best relationship you’ve ever had. LOL.

Seriously, how sad is that?

I looked up to see Rafe striding toward me. Long legs. Broad shoulders. Those dark eyes bored into mine. His lips turned up the slightest bit in the corners and those dimples on full display.

“I’ve been looking for you, Wildcat.” His voice was gruff yet playful.

I could tell he’d had a few drinks. His cheeks were slightly flushed, his tie had been loosened, and he’d undone one more button on his dress shirt.

His lips parted when he stopped in front of me, and he smiled.

Damn.

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