Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“You’re sure you’re not mad?”
“We do miss you, but sometimes timing is just the worst.”
“I love you guys.”
“We know. We love you too. Let me know how it goes tomorrow.”
Even though Roger’s words were right and what I needed to hear, I still got off that call feeling like things were out of whack with us.
Or maybe things were just out of whack with me.
* * *
• • •
“What the hell are you wearing?” Rafe scowled at me.
I felt my cheeks heat at his snotty tone. “Uh, thanks.”
He exhaled slowly, scrubbing a hand over his face. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Then how did you mean it?”
Gesturing to me, he shrugged. “We’re going to my parents’ house. There’s no reason for you to don your office costume.”
Costume?
I looked down at the forest-green wide-leg pants and cream blouse with ruffled neck. Instead of heels, I wore my wedges. “I just thought it might be better if I show up like this.”
“Better for whom?” Rafe crossed his bedroom and cupped my face in his hands. “Baby, I want you to be you.”
But being me had caused a rift with his family.
I didn’t even know who I was these days.
Right?
I could be this person in the fancy chic clothes.
Right?
“I’m comfortable,” I lied.
Frustration hardened my boyfriend’s features and he released me. “Okay. Let’s go.”
* * *
• • •
It felt like forever since we’d been to Jen and Greg’s home. It was now the end of September and chilly enough that I wore a sweater over my blouse. Soon, the many trees surrounding their sprawling home would change colors. At some point during my relationship with Rafe, I’d gotten used to the Whitmans’ home. It would never be the kind of house I could live in, but it had begun to symbolize familial familiarity. Today was the first day since that first dinner that I felt uncomfortable there.
Even with my hand clasped tight in Rafe’s as we strolled up the front walk.
“Are you okay?” I quietly asked.
He squeezed my hand. “I’m good. You?”
“Nervous,” I admitted.
“I hate that,” he sighed. “I hate that my fucking brother has made you nervous to come to my parents’ house.”
“Rafe—”
“It’s fine. I’m fine.” He squeezed my hand again. “Let’s just get this over with.”
As soon as we walked into the house, Jen and Greg hurried into the foyer to meet us. Their smiles were strained as they greeted us. Immediately, Greg said to Rafe, “Hugo’s in my office. Come with me, son.”
Jen looped her arm through mine. “I’ve got Star,” she reassured Rafe.
Still, he looked at me for confirmation. “I’m okay.”
Rafe nodded but gave his mom a penetrating look, which she answered with a nod of her own. Then Greg led him out of sight.
Jen’s gaze took me in as she turned me in her arms, and something like surprise lit her expression. “You look different, sweetheart. Good, but different.”
“Oh. Pippa helped me pick out a wardrobe for work.”
Jen seemed bemused by that as she eyed me. “Did she? You’ll need to tell me all about it. I’ve missed you. And on that note”—she cupped my face disarmingly similarly to Rafe—“please know that I am so sorry for the way my son spoke to you. That was not okay, and I was very upset at him and hurt on your behalf.”
God, Rafe’s mom was nice. “Thanks, Jen. But I’m all right, honestly. I’m more worried about Rafe and Hugo. I don’t want them to fall apart over this. I . . . I don’t have a family like yours.” My eyes burned from the tears I forced back. “You have such a nice family and I don’t want to mess that up.”
“Oh, Star.” Her eyes glimmered with emotion. “This is not your fault, and you’ll soon understand why. And thank you. I want you to know that I am so glad Rafe found you. I always hoped he’d end up with someone kind and warm, and my wish was granted many times over with you. You make him so happy.”
My heart lurched in my chest. “Really?”
She beamed. “Really. Now come. Gigi has missed you and we both want to hear all about this new job. The most important thing being, do you like it?”
What had been a genuine smile on my face strained a little, but I followed her through the house, intent on reassuring her that all was well in Star Shine Meadows’s world.
* * *
• • •
while Gigi, Jen, Pippa, and Charmaine did a good job trying to distract me from the hour-long conversation happening in Greg’s office, I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering toward that room. Why was this taking so long? What was going on?
The mystery and intrigue only heightened when Rafe appeared on his own and asked me to come talk with him in private. He led me all the way upstairs to his old bedroom without saying a word.