Page 38 of My Silver Lining

The lyrics were all about a couple who were friends but were suddenly finding it hard to stay away from one another.

He started singing in my ear, his words slurring the slightest bit. No one else would notice, but I recognized the slight drawl in his words.

He was singing about the way people were talking about us.

About the rumors swirling around.

And then he sang the line about making the rumor true.

Giving them something to talk about.

I pulled back and looked at him, and he was smiling down at me. He glanced around and my eyes followed to see everyone watching.

And then he sang the last verse loudly as he looked down at me, and everyone joined in and sang along.

He was putting on a show.

And I was getting lost in it.

I knew better. I’d made it my mission not to allow things like this to happen. Getting lost in a charming man.

I swayed my hips and smiled, reminding myself it was just a game.

One that I asked him to play.

The song came to an end, and there were a few whistles and lots of clapping, and we both laughed.

“Kiss her already!” someone shouted, and his eyes searched mine.

Play along.

His mouth came down over mine, and it was soft and sweet. His hand found my lower back as he dipped me down and then pulled back.

No tongue.

No nipping or biting or franticness.

It was lukewarm at best.

He smiled and led me off the dance floor.

My grandparents were waiting, and Gramps smiled. “That was some dance. Nice to see you two having so much fun. Tomorrow, we’ve got the photographer and some press coming to do a story on Uncle Charles and Hunter. We’d like Rafe to be there with us, as he just feels like part of the family now.”

My chest squeezed, suddenly feeling guilty about lying to Gramps.

“Yes, of course. We’ll be there, but we’ll just be on the sidelines, if that’s okay.”

“Whatever you want, my love. Thanks for making today so special. Love you.” He kissed my cheek, and my grandmother smiled and patted me on the shoulder before walking away to say goodbye to their remaining guests. Most of the older people had left about an hour ago, so it was just the younger generation still here drinking and having fun.

My parents came over and said goodnight. I watched as they hugged Rafe, and a tinge of guilt flooded. They liked him.

It felt good to be with someone that everyone liked.

I had just wanted to get them off my back about all the negative press that had tied me to a guy I hadn’t been with in a very long time. But I didn’t know they’d be quite this enamored with the man.

Hell, I didn’t knowI’dbe this enamored with him either.

“Goodnight. We’ll see you in the morning.”

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