Page 106 of Just Trouble

She turns around again, loading her toothbrush. “I met Rafe when he introduced himself to me in class. He wanted to know if he could borrow my notes for the previous lecture, which he had missed because his pedicure had been rescheduled.”

My surprise must show because she nods.

“Yes, his pedicure. At eighteen, he had this grooming routine that put mine to shame. He had the pedicure done separately from his manicure each week because he went to a different place, each being better at their respective tasks. He was using Botox before we finished our undergraduate degrees. He goes for manscaping weekly. His dry cleaning bills would make me weep. The man is more high-maintenance than anybody I’ve ever known. Worse, he’s infuriatingly certain that his way is the only way and is as stubborn as a mule. Maybe more stubborn. Why do you think he isn’t staying here?”

“Because you were hoping I’d come back tonight?”

“Because this entire house would be covered with his stuff ten minutes after he arrived. I was emotionally scarred by my first visit to his dorm room. It was knee-deep in discarded clothes, most of which were not dirty. They just had failed to make the cut for his daily outfit then were tossed on the floor. The mess made me crazy!” She shakes a finger at me. “But not so crazy that I’d be stupid enough to clean up after him. That is the path to Rafe’s heart, becoming his willing servant, his staff, his assistant and his biggest fangirl. He has a colossal ego and can be absolutely infuriating.”

“But…? I invite, feeling more reassured with every trait she gives him.

“But he’s a great friend. He’s loyal beyond expectation. He’s the one who told me about Justin. He’s also the one who makes sure I never accidentally see Justin when I’m in the city. He’s a protective bear, has been a good mentor and has a heart of puregold. If he ever falls in love, I wish the woman in question all the luck in the world dealing with him, but I hope he finds the right person one day.”

“He thinks he wants a traditional wife. He has a list.”

She laughs. “Well, let him have his illusions.”

“What do you mean?”

“If some woman manages to steal Rafe’s heart away, he’ll be the one wrapped right around her finger. Wait and see.”

She takes the pins out of her hair, letting it tumble down her back. I watch, fascinated. She then removes the merry widow, wriggling out of the stretchy lace in a way that is mesmerizing. My mouth has gone dry and I have no words at all.

Daph’s eyes twinkle when she meets my gaze in the mirror. “Are we really going to spend the night talking about Rafe?”

“Not my plan,” I admit. I step into the bathroom and pull her into my arms, inhaling the scent of her with satisfaction. She melts against me, welcoming me in that way that shorts all my circuits.

“Any better choices of topic?” she asks, her tone teasing.

“How about not talking at all?” I ask. I steal a slow sweet kiss, one that makes her melt against me and slide her fingers into my hair. She more than meets me halfway, and I know she’s got me right where she wants me. The kiss gets hotter and more powerful, thrilling and new even though we’ve shared dozens of similar ones, and I know that I’m lucky beyond every expectation.

“I love you,” I whisper into her ear, before kissing her again. She doesn’t react or respond in any way and I wonder whether she’s even heard me—but then the playful flick of her tongue and the caress of her hand ensures that there’s nothing but Daph and this magic we make together.

Nothing at all.

27

DAPHNE

I’ve already discovered that Luke gets up earlier than me. I could get used to waking up alone, rolling over to find the spot beside me just a little bit warm, then smelling fresh coffee from the kitchen. Today, the hollow beside me is stone cold, proof that Luke was up early.

I love you.

Did I imagine that he said that?

Was it a conditional offer, one that expired because I didn’t reply in kind? I don’t know. This is all new territory for me. I’ve said the words before, of course, but I didn’t mean them the way I would mean them now. I’m afraid to say them out loud and jinx whatever is going on here.

But Luke said them.

He said them so easily, and I can’t help thinking that it sounds as if he’s said it all before. Do I dare to believe him?

What about Rafe’s advice? What about his conviction that this will never ever work, that it has to be a fling—never mind that I should just have fun.

Am I cursed to overthink everything?

Luke said it. Maybe he thought it was time to say it. Maybe he means it. Maybe he doesn’t. In the spirit of the red-hot fling, I’m not going to make a big deal of it.

In the interest of being true to myself, I’m not going to respond in kind.

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