Page 16 of Running Winter

“Rayna!” smiled Raven, moving up and patting the space between her and Rafe. Rafe looked puzzled for a minute as he looked Rayna up and down.

“Wow, you look good,” he mumbled as Rayna smiled politely.

“Chase, come sit here,” demanded Aunt Alice, who looked like she would rather be anywhere than here.

So I sat beside Kendra and Aunt Alice as Kendra grinned at me like the cat that had the cream.

Rafe had a blank expression on his face, and Uncle Lucas stood in the doorway, swirling whiskey around his tumbler with amusement.

“Shall we go and eat? Chase, Rayna, what would you like to drink?”

Rayna spoke first, requesting a vodka and lemonade, while I went for a JD and coke.

“Hey Chase,” said Kendra, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “How are you?”

Great, small talk.

I entertained Kendra vaguely before we sat at the table. We sat opposite the three girls, while my aunt and uncle sat at opposite ends.

“Kill me,” muttered Rafe, sending a death look at his father.

“Is she really that bad?” I whispered as Rafe turned to stare at me in disbelief.

“Chase. She’s already spoken about marriage.”

I half-choked on my whiskey when my phone beeped in my pocket. I dragged it out, checking it under the table.

Heather:

Hi, can we talk?

Oh, fuck.

I couldn’t recall exchanging numbers with this girl.

Rafe looked at me with interest, but I shook my head, putting my phone away. ,

“When did your little bestie get so hot?” Rafe murmured, glancing at Rayna, who was talking to Raven.

A flicker of jealousy ran through me, and I spoke without thinking.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warned as Rafe smirked.

“Too late.”

Wonderful.

The last thing I needed was these two getting it on. Although I couldn’t see how Rayna didn’t find Rafe attractive if she liked his Dad so much—he was his double.

“So, Kendra,” Uncle Lucas drawled, fixing his gaze on the girl to his right. “Tell us about yourself. What do you want to do with your life?”

“Dad,” growled Rafe, as Raven and Aunt Alice exchanged a knowing smile.

Rayna sipped her drink with interest, and I couldn’t help but study her lips.

I hate the friend zone.

“Marry a rich guy and be a kept woman, haha.”

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