Page 63 of My Silver Lining

“I’ve heard some people mention her name, but I just don’t think the Taylors would print something written by a teenager. But I guess if she’s sending it in anonymously, how would they know?”

“You’re exactly right. They wouldn’t know. Henley and I would have had so much fun writing an anonymous column back in high school.” I grabbed my black velvet Laredo clutch.

“I could see you two getting into a whole lot of trouble together back then,” he chuckled. “Come on. We’ve got a car waiting downstairs, and those two guys I promised a photo to are probably sitting in the valet, waiting to snap a few shots.”

“Okay, let’s do this, lover boy. I will let everyone know that my man is off-limits tonight.”

He smirked. “I’m down with that. And you look… fucking gorgeous.”

“Right back at you, handsome. Now, let’s go show everyone how ridiculously in love we are.”

We made our way through the lobby, and I didn’t miss the way all eyes followed us as people walked by.

When we stepped outside, a black car was waiting for us, but two men stood on the side, and Rafe held up a hand to the driver. “Give us two minutes.”

He pulled me close and dipped me back, and I burst out in a fit of laughter as he waggled his brows at me. Both men snapped several photos, and he pulled me back up and gave them a nod of thanks.

They continued snapping photos as we slipped into the car, and our driver closed the door before returning to the driver’s seat and driving us a block away to the venue.

“Just be prepared, all right?” he said as he rubbed his hands together. “Chloe is a lot. She’s spoiled and used to getting her way. Hopefully, she brings a date, but she was determined for us to attend this together, for some unknown reason, and she can be relentless. It’s tricky because her father is my boss.”

“Maybe that’s your sign that you don’t need to have a boss anymore,” I said, reaching for his hand because he appeared anxious, which was out of character for him. “I know why she wants to date you.”

He chuckled. “Because I’m easy to throat punch?”

“Because you’re loyal and funny and sinfully handsome. You’re the whole package, Rafe Chadwick.” I leaned close and whispered against his ear. “And I mean that literally. I’ve seen it, remember?”

His tongue swiped out along his bottom lip. “It’s yours if you want it.”

Those six words shot right between my legs. I squeezed my thighs together and tried not to react.

I did want it. But I shouldn’t want it.

It would be a terrible idea.

Not for my vagina, obviously, but for me as a person.

He was dangerous. Too good. Too smooth. Too likeable.

Too easy to fall for.

Thankfully we came to a stop, and our driver came around and opened the door for us. Rafe exited the car first, and then he reached for my hand as I placed mine in his and stepped out of the car, grasping my clutch in my free hand.

“Here we go,” he whispered against my ear and then kissed my cheek before leading me inside the country club.

seventeen

. . .

Rafe

Everyone was dressedto the nines, and my hand rested on Lulu’s lower back as I guided her through the space.

My boss, Joseph Chapman, married his bride, Denise, in an elaborate but brief ceremony before we made our way to the reception. He’d been talking about this wedding as if it were the event of the century for the last six months.

Once we stepped inside the grand ballroom, I glanced up at the several chandeliers that hung above.

It was a bit fancy for my taste, but I expected nothing less from him.

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