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 & Brews after their dinner for country music night, and I thought it might be fun to get out.
” We’d gone to Booze & Brews together several times. Why was I so awkward?
Am I sweating?
A slow, sexy smile spread across his face. “Are you asking me to be your Valentine, Lulu Sonnet?”
I tossed my napkin at him. “Well, don’t make it weird. I didn’t know if you knew that it was Valentine’s Day, and I just wanted to give you a heads-up.”
“I knew. And we’ve already got plans, but we can finish up at the bar if you want.”
“We have plans?”
“Yes. I’m taking you somewhere. It’s Valentine’s Day. It’s what people who are hanging out do,” he smirked.
He made plans.
“That was very thoughtful of you. Where are we going?”
“Not telling you that, my little control freak.”
“What? I need to know how to dress,” I said, although that was only part of the reason I wanted to know.
Being a control freak was the other reason.
“Dress for dinner. It’s not fancy, but it’ll be fun. And then we can hit up Booze & Brews after.”
“That’s not helpful at all, but I’ll figure it out.” I pushed to my feet and cleared our plates, internally chuckling at how domestic I felt lately.
We had a routine. He cooked. I did the dishes. We bantered. We both worked. And we got a little hot and bothered in between.
Or a lot hot and bothered.
“I’m going to go take a shower and then get to work.” He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me from behind.
I wanted to tell him I’d come with him.
I wanted to follow him into the shower and get lost in this man.
My feelings terrified me lately. Every night when I got in bed, I fought the urge to ask him to join me.
“Sounds like a plan. I’m going to go run a few errands, but I’ll see you later. Thanks for breakfast.”
He stepped away and then called my name, and I turned the water off and turned around. He tossed the bag of gummy bears to me and winked.
What is this man doing to me?
I grabbed my phone and shot a quick text to Henley.
Any chance you could meet me at Rosewood Brew for a coffee real quick? It’s a bit of an emergency.
Henley
Of course. Let me wrap up this email. I can be there in fifteen minutes.
Thank you. Love you big.
Henley
Love you bigger.
I hurried out the door and was grateful that the snow had melted over a week ago and the sun was out. I walked the short distance to the coffee shop.
I waved at a few locals as I made my way down Main Street.
I loved this little town and the people in it.
Rosewood Brew was an adorable coffee shop with black-and-white-checked floors and three large crystal chandeliers hung above.
“The usual?” Jane Waters asked. She and her husband, John, owned the place, and I stopped in often.
“Yes. Henley’s meeting me here in a minute, so we’ll both do our usuals.” I handed her my card and thought about how impersonal it was for me in the city when I’d grab a coffee. I’d see different baristas every day, and that wasn’t a bad thing, but it was just different.
“You got it. I’ll bring it over to you as soon as it’s ready.” She smiled.
“Thank you.” I took a seat in the back corner, and Oscar Smith was just leaving the seat at the next table.
“Everyone is anticipating that obnoxious rock star coming to town. You think he’ll show?” Oscar grumped, which made me chuckle.
I didn’t want Beckett to step foot in Rosewood River, but the fact that Oscar didn’t want him to come either comforted me in a weird way. Like he knew I didn’t want the bastard to come, so neither did he.
Because most people in town would love the idea of a famous person coming here.
“I hope not, but he does love the attention, and it would make for a good story.” I shrugged. “He’s unpredictable, so it’s hard to say.”
“Seems like you’ve closed the chapter on that story a long time ago. Don’t let it get to you, kiddo.” He tapped my table before walking out the door.