Chapter 20
twenty
. . .
Lulu
We’d been back in Rosewood River for two weeks with no sign of the annoying rock star, yet this new arrangement was working out really well. Rafe had moved into the guest room, and we spent most of our time together when he wasn’t at the office.
We ate meals together.
We watched movies.
We’d make out until our lips ached, amongst other things, aside from sex.
It wasn’t an option.
And at the end of the day, I’d kiss him good night and pad down to my room, and he’d go to his.
My best friend was completely confused by the arrangement, but she supported it, as long as I assured her no one would get hurt. All she asked of both of us was that we parted ways amicably because we’d both be in her and Easton’s life forever. So it wasn’t an option not to.
I gave her my word, and so did Rafe.
I’d never had such a formal outline for dating someone. Perhaps this would have come in handy in my last relationship, as every possible rule one could break had been broken.
“That design is going to blow the Parisians away,” Jared said with a chuckle. We were having our weekly team meeting, which consisted of my three executives, who I trusted immensely. It was much easier for me to trust people on a professional level versus a personal level.
Jared was in charge of operations, and he’d really helped me expand and grow the company over the last eighteen months.
Sarah was in charge of marketing MSL, and she’d branded us well, which had been key to getting large stores to look at us.
Monique was in charge of our creative department, and I ran every design by her. She’d originally worked for my mother at Laredo for many years, but she moved over to work with me last year because my mother thought she could help me grow, as well.
They’d all become close friends, and I knew I had chosen the right people to surround myself with, both professionally and personally.
“Yes. People are a sucker for "Forever,” and we should be able to get that piece out on the market by the holidays next year. But sales have been going through the roof with orders for Valentine’s Day, so I can only imagine what will happen when we launch this as a set.” We were going to do this design in a bracelet, earrings, and a necklace. People loved a set, me included.
“The orders for this launch in Paris are going to be large. I’ve already got our manufacturers ready to increase our orders, and I’m excited to see how big this expansion is going to be,” Jared said.
The front door opened, and Rafe strolled in, wearing a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie after going on his run this morning. Our team meetings were early, as all three of them lived on the East Coast. Rafe usually went for his run first thing in the morning, and he’d been gone before I woke up. He moved around to the screen and smiled.
“There they are. The dream team,” he said.
“Look at that tall drink of water,” Jared said, waggling his brows, just as his partner, Frankie, walked by and swatted him in the head with a rolled-up magazine.
“Is he already flirting with your boyfriend this early in the morning?” Frankie groaned as he waved at the camera and handed Jared his mug of coffee.
“I just said that he was good-looking. You’ve even said the man is ridiculously good-looking,” Jared reminded his husband.
“Touché.” Frankie kissed the top of Jared’s head and waved. “I’m off to a meeting. See you all later.”
Rafe was still laughing as I shooed him away and wrapped up our meeting.
I studied him as he had his back to me while he scrambled up a few eggs. I had never been one to eat breakfast, but this man had been relentless about how it was the most important meal of the day.
He turned around and caught me staring.
There were moments when I had to force myself not to touch him. To stop myself from kissing him throughout the day, because even though we said we could do it anytime we wanted, I was growing attached to the man.
None of this made sense.
Rafe turned around and set both plates down at the table before snatching my bag of gummy bears sitting beside my coffee mug. He tossed the bag onto the kitchen island and took the seat across from me.
“You can’t sustain life on gummy bears, Wildcat,” he said. “Eggs first, gummies later.”
Coach Jones, my trainer, who I worked with remotely, was always on me about my nutritional struggles, so I knew I needed to eat better, but when it came from Rafe, it felt more impactful. Like he truly cared about my health.
About me.
Why was that so terrifying?
“I mean, if I made eggs as good as you do, I’d probably eat them every day.” I shrugged before taking a bite.
Rafe was an amazing cook, and I’d been spoiled now that we were basically roommates, which meant he cooked for both of us.
Roommates who kissed and hugged and touched one another.
The gray area had grown so large that everything was basically gray when it came to my relationship with this man.
“Well, you can eat them every day while you’re here. And maybe you’ll pick up some new habits that you can take to Paris. Tell me about your meeting.”
“The launch in Paris is going to be big for our foreign market, and they are loving the new designs, so they plan to just keep adding to the collection.”
One side of his mouth hitched up as if he were oozing with pride. But not for himself, for me. “That’s fucking amazing. My girl is such a lady boss.”
I chuckled. “Thanks. You’ve got your big meeting today with the Crawford CEO, right?”
Rafe had been referred by one of his clients to the CEO of a large corporation, who was considering bringing Rafe in as his financial advisor both personally and professionally. It would be a huge win for him, and he’d been preparing for this meeting the last few days.
“Yep. It’s this afternoon,” he said, as he reached for his juice. “I plan on crushing it.”
“No doubt.” I took another bite before thinking over my next question. “So, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. And I know this isn’t really a normal situation that we’re in, but Henley and Easton are going to Booze he’s got your back. So enjoy it. He’s a good one, Lu.”
“I don’t want to like him this much,” I finally said, my voice cracking on the last word. “But I already do. And I’m afraid if I let myself go any deeper, I won’t be able to come up for air.”
“I was terrified when I let my guard down with Easton. But you can’t spend your whole life being afraid. And Rafe knows you’re leaving, you’ve both been upfront about the fact that you aren’t looking for anything serious. So enjoy yourself and don’t overthink it.”
“What is happening? That’s normally my speech to you. I’m not the overthinker. I’m not the one who throws caution to the wind. What is it about this man that has me so turned upside down?”
“I think it’s because you like him,” she said, one brow quirked.
She was right. I liked him. I liked him a lot.
Even though I wished I didn’t.
“I think it was the orgasm shower. I’m going with that,” I said, and we both fell back in a fit of giggles.
“Just let yourself have this. Even if it’s for a short time. You deserve to be happy, Lu. You’re always in that fight-or-flight state, and with Rafe, you don’t have to be. You can just be you. So give yourself this. Even if just for a few weeks. And then you’ll head to Paris and conquer the world, and he’ll be the first one to cheer you on. Along with me, of course.”
I sighed. She was always my voice of reason.
At times, I felt like Henley knew me better than I knew myself.
And I knew she was right.