Page 60 of For Love or Money
‘About me marrying your father.’
‘I’m not thrilled about it, to be honest.’
‘Oh.’ Her face fell.
‘You did ask,’ he said without a hint of apology.
‘Yes, I did.’
‘Look, it’s nothing personal.’
Stella gave a bitter little laugh. ‘If that’s not personal, I don’t know what is.’
‘It’s not about you. I don’t even know you. But look at it from our point of view. Dad’s old, rich and has a dodgy heart. You’re young and … gorgeous,’ he said, his eyes lingering on her face. ‘We’ve all seen this movie.’
Stella couldn’t help the thrill of pleasure that spread through her at the compliment.
‘You could have any man you want,’ Rafe finished.
‘What makes you think I don’t? Is it so hard to believe I could want to be with your father for himself?’
‘Don’t get me wrong; I know what a charmer Dad can be when he wants to be. But for someone like you—’
‘Someone like me?’ She bristled. ‘You just said yourself you don’t know me at all.’
‘Someone so young is all I meant. I don’t see the appeal of tying yourself to an old man.’
‘Apart from money, of course.’
‘It’s an old story.’
‘Well, if that’s what you all think, there’s probably nothing I can say to convince you otherwise.’
‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Rafe grinned. ‘You could call off the wedding.’
She shook her head. ‘Not going to happen. Sorry.’
‘Ah well.’ He shrugged. ‘It was worth a shot.’
Stella smiled nervously. ‘I’d like if we could be friends, Rafe.’
‘If you marry Dad, we’ll be a lot more than that. You’ll be my stepmother.’ He tossed back a slug of whiskey. ‘I hope you’re not going to be wicked.’
‘It depends how much of a brat you are to me,’ she said with a smirk.
‘Seriously, though, all this might seem fine for a while – playing at Darby and Joan, having long walks on the beach and quiet nights in. But what about when the novelty wears off?’
‘That’s what you’re worried about? That I’ll get bored?’
He shrugged. ‘It’s not much of a life for a woman your age.’
‘It suits me. I was never much of a party girl anyway. There’s nothing I want that I can’t have with Peter.’
‘And what’s that?’ he asked softly. ‘What do you want?’
‘Same as anyone really,’ she said. ‘A good life.’
Rafe gave her a knowing look.
