Page 137 of For Love or Money
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The house felt eerily quiet once Rafe had gone. Despite having lived alone most of her life, Stella had got used to having people around all the time, and she’d miss the company. She was glad Lesley was coming over for the evening and should be here shortly. She’d decided she was going to tell her everything – if not tonight, then soon. She was putting down roots now. It was time to start being real with the people she cared about, even if – her mind strayed away from the thought, but she brought it back – even if it meant losing them.
That would be Lesley now, she thought, as she heard the front door open. Rafe must have bumped into her as he was leaving and let her in. She skipped down the stairs to meet her – and saw Rafe standing in the hall looking up at her.
‘Did you forget something?’ she frowned.
‘No. Not exactly.’
‘Oh.’ She suddenly felt very aware that they were alone in the house together.
‘Actually,’ he said, ‘I thought I’d take another crack at persuading you to stay ... with me.’
‘Rafe—’
‘Because I ran into Lesley just now, and she seemed to think–’
‘Where is she?’ Stella’s eyes flicked to the door.
‘She left. She said to call her later if you still want her to come over.’
‘But what did she tell you?’
‘Nothing.’ He gave a rueful smile. ‘Well, actually she told me I was an arsehole, and she seemed all set to tear me a new one.’
‘What changed her mind?’
‘I guess she’s one of those women who can’t stand to see a grown man cry. Bit of a softie, I suspect, when it’s all boiled down.’
‘You were crying?’
Rafe shrugged. ‘Anyway, she seemed to think I’d been leading you on or something – coming on to you just so you’d break up with Dad.’
‘Oh.’ No wonder Lesley had seemed so keen to warn her off falling for Rafe.
‘She got the wrong end of the stick, and I thought perhaps you had too. I realised I might not have made myself clear earlier. So I had to come back and tell you, just to make sure there are no misunderstandings. So, here it is: something true about me that not many people know.’ He dropped his head and took a deep breath. Then he lifted his head and looked right into her eyes. ‘I’m in love with you. Did you know that?’
She nodded. ‘I guessed,’ she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
‘I want to be with you. I want us to be together. And I was hoping you want the same thing.’
‘Rafe, I don’t know what to say.’
‘You don’t feel the same way.’ He smiled sadly at her, and her heart twisted when she saw his eyes shone with tears. ‘Okay. That’s fine. Just so we’re clear.’ He turned to the door.
‘Wait! Don’t go.’ She couldn’t bear to see him looking so sad. ‘Come and have a drink.’ She skipped down the stairs and led him into the living room. She poured them both whiskey and sat beside him on the sofa. ‘My turn,’ she said.
He frowned questioningly.
‘You told me something true about yourself. Now it’s my turn.’
‘Okay.’
‘You want everything to be clear between us, no misconceptions. And there are things you don’t know about me, Rafe. Things that might make you change your mind about wanting to be with me. Probably will, actually,’ she said shakily. ‘And that’s okay.’
He took a gulp of his drink as if bracing himself for something. ‘I doubt it, but go on.’
She took a deep breath, not knowing how to begin. ‘Remember when I told you about being bullied in school?’
