Chapter 7
RAFE
“Rafe, I can’t believe you convinced me to come to a speed dating event with you.” Jack looks over at me and stares at his watch. “How long do you think we’re going to be here?”
“I’m not sure,” I say, slightly distracted as I look around the interior of Teddy’s Restaurant.
I haven’t spent much time here, as it’s a place tourists normally like to go to, but on many occasions, they hold activities for local residents, including speed dating events.
I’ve never been to a speed dating event before and never had the mind to, but once Juniper, Sage, and Rosie imparted on me the knowledge that they were going to be attending the event, I felt like it was my duty to come and watch over them.
“So, you’re looking for a hottie tonight?
” Jack says, surveying the room and following my glance.
“I’ve gotta admit, there are a lot of pretty women here, some of whom I’ve never seen before, but I suppose they’re tourists.
” He grins. “I guess if I gotta get down and dirty with a tourist for the night, I won’t be able to resist.”
“Really, Jack?”
I stare at my friend, who normally lives in Miami but is up for the weekend, visiting. He grew up in Coconut Beach, so he knows many of the locals, but he moved away and became a little bit of an asshole in the process.
My eyes fasten on every dark-haired woman they come into contact with until I spy Juniper standing there in the corner, typing something rapidly into her phone.
She looks gorgeous in a glittery silver dress that is far too short and far too revealing.
Her hair hangs long and silky down her back, and her makeup was obviously done by one of her cousins because she looks glittery and jazzy in a way I’ve never seen her before.
She looks like she’s ready to hit a nightclub in New York City or Los Angeles—far too good for the small, sleepy town of Coconut Beach.
“Oh shit, who’s that?”
Jack is looking over at the corner, and I see his eyes widen as he takes in Juniper and her appearance.
“She is fine. Might have to give her my number tonight. See if she’s interested in a little dicking around with Jack the Man.”
I turn to him and glare. “Excuse me? What the fuck did you just say?”
“Whoa. What is going on? That’s not Mia, is it?” His eyes narrow. “I thought she had blonde hair, and didn’t you say she was engaged to Luke?”
“That’s not Mia, but it is her best friend, Juniper.”
“Fuck, that’s Juniper? She’s looking hot.” He licks his lips. “Hey, Juniper! What’s up, girl?” he shouts loudly across the room.
She looks up and stares at him in confusion, probably not even realizing who he is. Then her eyes turn to me, and her entire body stills.
I watch as she tucks her phone into her bag and comes stomping toward me, her finger pointed at me in accusation.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m assuming the same thing as you.”
“You’re speed dating?”
“I guess you’re smarter than you look.”
“Excuse me? That’s rude.”
“Is that the only word you seem to know? There are other adjectives to describe me, Juniper.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Like handsome, charming, extremely good-looking, gorgeous.”
She rolls her eyes and I can’t help but laugh at her expression. Being around Juniper always makes me happy.
“Modest.”
“Yeah, right.” She rolls her eyes and then crosses her arms in front of her. “I’m going to ask you this again: What are you doing here?” Her head bobs up and down as she speaks, and I try not to laugh.
“I am at a dating event, just like you,” I repeat in the same intonation she had.
She just shakes her head. “You’re not even into speed dating.”
“Well, I’m interested in pretty women, and I’m interested in going on dates, and, well, this is a great place to make both of these things happen.”
“You are asinine.”
“Ooh, someone had to look that up in a dictionary.” I tap the side of my head. “Brainiac.”
“Did it look like I looked in the dictionary just now? Really, Rafe? Are you here because of last night?”
“What happened last night?” I say innocently, my face blank.
“You know what happened last night. I’m pretty confident there won’t be any wet T-shirt competitions tonight, so you don’t have to worry. You don’t need to try and save me. I’m not even going to drink tonight.”
I look down at the glass of wine in her hand, and she blushes.
“I mean, aside from this one glass. I need liquid courage for all the dates I’m about to go on.”
I shake my head. “So, are you here because Rosie and Sage wanted to go, or are you here because you want a date?”
I don’t know why I care about her answer, but for some reason, I really do.
“It’s none of your business why I’m here.”
“Okay, so I’m taking it, you’re feeling lonely.”
“I’m not feeling lonely. Is that why you’re here?”
“I mean, would I say no to a pretty woman in my bed, keeping me warm?”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re just a pig.”
“No, I’ve slept with pigs as a vet, of course, which is my job, which you know.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“And I’m telling you that they don’t actually keep you as warm as you would think.”
“Okay.”
I’m about to continue talking when a slender redhead walks up to me and taps me on the shoulder.
“Dr. Rafe, is that you?”
I stare at her for a couple of seconds, trying to recognize her.
“It’s me, Cindy.”
“Cindy?”
“You know, you looked after my dog, Trixie, the little Chihuahua, a couple of weeks ago. She accidentally got into my M&M’s, and we had to induce vomiting.”
“Oh yeah. How’s Trixie doing?”
“Oh, she’s so much better, thanks to you, Dr. Rafe,” she almost purrs at me. “I really did want to say thank you in my own special way.”
She runs her fingers down the side of my arm, and I can tell she’s flirting with me.
I look to the side, and I notice Juniper is now looking furiously at Cindy, and I can’t help but smile to myself.
She’s a little bit jealous.
Maybe I can work with that.
“So, you’re here, looking for a date tonight, Cindy?”
“Oh, no,” she says softly. “I’m not looking for anyone other than you.”
At that, Juniper bursts out laughing, and I just give her a smug look.