Page 99 of Just Trouble

Sylvia appears and whispers to Mackenzie that the foursome at the back in urban black have chosen the tasting flight from Rhodes Vineyards. She asks if Mackenzie might take a moment to give them vintner’s notes. Mackenzie excuses herself and heads across the bistro to do that.

Daph goes to the ladies’ room as Sylvia uncorks the second bottle.

Rafe takes an appreciative taste from the new bottle, rolls it around in his mouth, then nods approval to Sylvia. He looks like a contented lion, or an emperor savoring the perks of hisposition. “So, you and Daphne,” he says, fixing me with a look over the top of his glass.

“Daph and me,” I agree.

He purses his lips. “For how long?”

“Here through forever is my plan, but ladies’ choice.”

A ghost of a smile touches his lips and he nods before raising his glass again.

“You and Daph?” I ask and he almost chokes.

Then Rafe laughs, a huge belly laugh that can’t have been put on. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

I don’t understand. “But you’ve known each other for years.”

“Exactly!” He shakes his head.

“She’s gorgeous.”

“Stupendous.” He kisses his fingertips in a chef’s kiss. “Elegant, brilliant, loyal. I love her to the moon and back, but not like that. God, no.”

His emphasis is a bit insulting. How could anyone take a pass on Daph? “Why not?”

Rafe frowns then, considering this. “It was never there. I’m not sure why. I thought once that maybe things just needed a little encouragement, but I was wrong. It was all wrong. I should have trusted my gut from the outset. But Daphne never held that night’s stupidity against me.”

So, something happened. He took a shot and was rebuffed maybe. Fair enough. “Maybe she was curious, too.”

“Maybe. But there’s nothing. There never has been and there never will be.”

He speaks with such conviction that I wonder what I’m missing.

“You’re confused,” Rafe says, helping me out. “You think we’re two of a kind, peas in a pod, that we each should have taken one look at the other and locked in for life.”

“Something like that.”

“But that’s just it. We’re too much the same. Maybe we understand each other a little too well. And maybe the ways that we’re different don’t bring us together.”

“How so?”

“Daphne has opinions and views that she will defend to her last breath. She doesn’t mind a fight for a good cause.” I nod because it’s all true. “She has dreams and goals, and isn’t afraid to pursue what she wants. She’s clever and articulate.”

“And these are bad qualities?”

“They’re great qualities. I have them, too. But the thing is that I don’t want to argue with my partner. I ride to war every day. I suit up and head out to slay dragons each morning. I deal with bullies who play hard. I hold the line and try to fight the good fight, each and every day. I work long hours and I’m compensated accordingly because I’m brilliant at what I do.”

He sips his wine and I think he’s not cocky. He’s just right.

“But here’s the thing,” he continues. “There’s a price and it’s a big one. This job, which I love, wears me out.” I see in his eyes that he’s serious. “So, when I come home, I don’t want to debate anything. I don’t even want any dissenting views. I want someone who wants what I want, just because I want it, someone who will smooth away all the irritations of everyday life so I can justbewhen I get home.”

He wants a traditional wife. I didn’t think anybody wanted that anymore. “You must want a woman a lot dumber than Daph.”

“I want someone less challenging than Daphne. I want a beautiful, elegant woman who is demure and deferential, ideally one who is petite and blonde.”

I cough that he’s so specific and Rafe smiles.

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