Page 53 of My Silver Lining

But Beckett Bane’s fame was next level.

The trolls would come out. The attention would be on a much larger scale now.

Henley had come right over and found me in a heap under all the covers, where I wished I could stay and hide for the next few weeks.

“How is any of this okay?” I croaked.

“Well, you’ve been telling Beckett that you’re in a relationship for months, and he never believed you. Now you have an actual person in photos. A man who told a reporter that he was crazy about you. That changes things. The good news is, I don’t see him coming and flipping any tables now that there is another man involved.”

“A man that’s been lying on my behalf,” I sighed.

“Yes. And you’re going to go put on a show on his behalf tomorrow.” She stroked my hair away from my face after she pulled the blanket back. “He’s a grown man, Lu. He seems completely okay with the arrangement.”

“And now his family thinks we’re together. And they’re all so nice and normal,” I said with a wobbly chuckle. “I’m an awful human being.”

She reached for my wrists and pulled me forward to sit up. “Lulubelle Sonnet, you are the best person I know. You are honest and kind and fierce and strong all at the same time. You have a famous ex-boyfriend who won’t leave you alone. Your father puts an abnormal amount of pressure on you, and your family is in the public eye. You’re doing the best you can, all while building an empire.”

“Wow. When you put it that way, I sound like a badass.” I swiped at my eyes and chuckled.

“Exactly. And as far as Rafe’s family goes, I’m fairly certain that his siblings and cousins know that there’s a story here. His parents are sweet, and if Rafe wants them to think you’re dating, let it be. He’s dated women before, and the relationship ends without any drama. You’re my best friend. They will love youwhile they think you are together, and they will love you after. I promise it’s all fine.”

I nodded. “Okay. I just fear that the attention will get to be too much. We planned a quiet breakup, but now with the whole world watching, I won’t be able to keep any of it quiet. We’re going to be under a microscope.”

“Stop overthinking. I don’t think Rafe is in any hurry to do anything. He seems much calmer than you are about it. Easton said he’s been in a great mood. I guess his boss reached out because he saw the news online, and he couldn’t believe that Rafe had kept it a secret that he’d been datingThe Lulu Sonnet.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Really? Okay, that makes me feel slightly better. I just don’t know if Rafe realizes how big this could get. And this is Easton’s family, too, and I know how much they mean to you. And you mean the world to me.”

Her gaze searched mine. “What’s going on, Lu? This isn’t like you to be so stressed out. I’m fine. Easton is fine. Rafe is fine. Your parents are on cloud nine. Why are you so upset?”

She was right. This was out of character. I dealt with the madness of dating a rock star for years.

My family was used to this kind of attention.

But Rafe was not.

Rafe was different.

“Rafe’s a really good guy,” I said with a shrug.

Her eyes widened, and she laughed. “You hate most men. I’ve never heard you call anyone a good guy, outside of your grandfather. Even when you dated Beckett for years, you never said that.”

“That’s because Beckett is a complete douchebag. I was young and dumb and thought I could do a douchebag exorcism and fix him. And Gramps is a good guy. I’ve also said that Easton is a good guy—I mean, after I threatened to cut off his balls if he hurt you.”

“Right, but that’s because Easton is my boyfriend and I love him, so you love him. But I thought Rafe annoyed you?” She quirked a brow. “Did something happen?”

I’d never lied to Henley. I’ve withheld one little thing in all the years that I knew her, and that was mainly because I was afraid of what she’d do if I told her about the day I ended things with Beckett. But showering with Rafe was not something I could share. He and I had promised we’d keep it between us, and there’d been no touching, so it was innocent. It didn’t mean anything.

“What? No. Nothing has happened outside of pretending to be dating and putting on a show. And of course, he totally annoys the shit out of me. But he can still be a good guy and annoy me,” I smirked. “I don’t want to do anything that hurts the people that you love.”

“Hey. I love you. I’m not going anywhere. Obviously, I would prefer that you and Rafe don’t make things complicated because he is Easton’s brother. I mean, unless you actually like him?” She waggled her brows.

“Hen.”

“Lu,” she pressed.

“I’m moving to Paris. And he’s got all that big dick energy. He hasn’t been in a relationship in years. I’ve been down that road, and I’m not doing it again. Plus, I like being single.”

“I get that. And if you wanted to have a fling, it’s probably best not to do it with a guy who is going to be in your life for years to come, because he’s going to be in mine.”

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