Page 42 of Rafe

Rafe smirked. “No. She’s stubborn.”

“Pfft…” Maggie shook her head.

Fred and Mary laughed, then after saying goodbye, walked to their table, and Rafe slid back into the booth.

“She seems very nice,” Maggie said.

“Yes, she does. I’m happy for Fred.” Rafe nodded.

“Me too. I hope it works out for them.” Maggie picked up her drink and took a sip.

Connie brought their meals to them and looked at Rafe.

“Is Fred dating someone now?”

“He is.”

Connie laughed; her voice laced with playful mischief. “Good for him. You two enjoy your evening,” she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Rafe returned her smile. “We will, Connie. Thank you,” he replied.

Connie smiled and walked off to wait on another patron.

“I hope we do.”

“What? Enjoy our evening? I’m sure we will.”

Maggie smiled as she picked up her burger.

“Have you decided to race yet?” she asked, her tone both encouraging and teasing.

“No,” Rafe admitted, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “Nate keeps after me about it, but I haven’t made up my mind.”

Maggie’s eyes lit up as she recalled past events. “I loved watching you last year,” she declared with genuine fondness.

“Oh, you did, huh? Well, you should have congratulated me then,” Rafe replied.

Maggie grinned and confided, “I even wanted to run across the street to you.”

Rafe’s expression softened for a moment. “I would have liked that too,” he said, lifting his glass and taking a sip, savoring the cool refreshment.

“Well, if you race this year, I’ll do that,” Maggie proposed, her challenge light yet sincere.

Rafe raised an eyebrow. “I think that’s blackmail.”

“Yep,” Maggie agreed, her smile widening.

Rafe chuckled. “I’ll think about it,” he promised.

Maggie nodded understandingly. “Okay. And if you don’t, that’s alright, we could still go watch, enjoy the thrill of it.”

“Of course, we can. Anything you want,” Rafe assured her.

Leaning back a little, Maggie sighed happily. “I always end up eating too much at the fair. I mean, I absolutely love those funnel cakes, candied apples, and popcorn. Just about every treat.”

“I like the funnel cakes too,” Rafe admitted with a grin.

Maggie beamed. “It’s next week, isn’t it?”

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