My Silver Lining: A Small Town, Fake Dating Romance (Rosewood River Series Book 2)
My Silver Lining: Chapter 12

“There’s my Lulubelle,” Gramps said, as he pushed to his feet and pulled me into a hug.

“Good morning. We’re just going to take some photos with you, and then I’m going to take Rafe out on the boat.” I was putting it out there early so we could slip out shortly after the photos.

“Well, you certainly didn’t dress for family photos,” Charlotte snipped as her eyes scanned me from head to toe.

Of course, she was wearing red-and-blue-plaid dress slacks and a white collared shirt with a navy cashmere sweater. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled in a sleek bob, ending at her chin.

“It’s called fashion. This top and these boots are Laredo, and both were actually designed by my mother,” I said, before flashing my wrist that was covered in gold bangles. “And these are mine. So we’ve got all sorts of family representation here.”

“And you certainly wear them well, darling,” my mother said as she took me in. She strode over in a cream cashmere maxi dress and heels.

“If that’s the case, I think it would be best if we spoke with Lulu first—you know, just ask a few quick questions before we shift to politics,” Ray Coffee said. He was one of the hosts of the Weekday Morning Show and a man who graced most people’s televisions every single day while they had their first cup of coffee.

“Of course,” my mother said. “She’d be happy to answer a few questions. You know her line just got picked up by Luxe, the largest retailer in Paris.”

Charlotte’s hands fisted at her sides, and I saw the veins on her neck pulse. “This interview is not for my cousin.”

Ray turned slowly, his mouth in a straight line. “I was very clear with you, Mrs. Wellington, that the only way we were going to do this story about Hunter was if we included your father and the rest of the family.”

“That would be Mrs. Sonnet-Wellington,” Charlotte hissed. “This isn’t a story about jewelry and lace bodysuits. My husband is making a difference in the world.”

“I happen to be a big fan of lace bodysuits,” Rafe said, and my head fell back in laughter. Talk about a gift for breaking up the tension.

“And you are?” Ray asked, extending a hand.

“I’m Rafe Chadwick. The lucky guy who gets to date this woman.” Rafe wrapped his arms around me, and my heart raced. We needed to be careful because we didn’t need that mentioned in the story.

“I heard you were dating someone new.” Ray leaned closer to us. “I’m happy to hear that, Lulu.”

I’d met Ray a few times at parties and events that my mother had been hosting.

“You’re not the only one, Ray,” Rafe said with a chuckle.

Ray looked completely enamored, and Charlotte was busy ordering everyone around for the photo shoot.

“Why don’t you go grab some breakfast, and I’ll take the family photo real fast, and then you and I can sneak out on the boat?” I shot Rafe a warning because Ray would start asking him questions if he seemed open to it.

“Nonsense,” my mother said. “We all want Rafe in the family photo.”

“What?” Charlotte gasped. “They aren’t married. We don’t allow non-family members in the family portraits.”

“They aren’t married yet,” Francois said, walking into the room holding a champagne flute. “I feel comfortable having him in the photo.”

“You aren’t even in the photo. In fact, I don’t know why you’re here,” Charlotte snipped, and Hunter placed a hand on her shoulder to try to calm her down.

“He’s here because my wife wants him here. And that’s all we need to know,” my father said.

“Listen, I can take photos with and without Lulu’s boyfriend, and you can decide which you would like to hang in the library,” Delilah said. She was a world-renowned photographer and the daughter of some famous French actor, and my Aunt Louisa had insisted she take our family photos for the last decade.

“I’d like Rafe in the photos,” Gramps said, eyes hard. “It’s my birthday photo, and I have the last word. Let’s get this and the interview done so we can enjoy the day before everyone heads home.”

“This is ridiculous.” Charlotte stormed over to me and whispered in my ear, “You always ruin everything.”

Why did I care what she thought?

She was a miserable human being. She treated people terribly. I’ve known her my whole life, and she’s always gone out of her way to be cruel to me.

We all took our positions around the hunter-green velvet sofa in the library. It was Gramps’ favorite room in the house.

Charlotte and Hunter were sitting in the center of the couch, where the grandchildren always sat, and the aunts, uncles, and grandparents stood in the back. Jasper, Serena, and Meredith were on one side, and I moved to sit on the other side, tugging Rafe along with me, but Delilah didn’t like the layout.

“I’d like Lulu and Rafe right here in the center. It doesn’t look balanced this way. Charlotte and Hunter, you move down to the end, please,” the photographer said.

No. She. Didn’t.

Serena and Meredith chuckled, and I tried not to look at Charlotte, who was not making any attempt to tone down her anger.

I squeezed in beside Jasper and made as much room as I could for Rafe, but he was a big guy, and Charlotte wasn’t allowing space for him to sit.

“I’m going to be on your lap if you don’t move over, Char-Char,” Rafe said, which caused everyone outside of Charlotte’s direct family to laugh hysterically.

Charlotte Sonnet-Wellington did not like nicknames.

“We could actually have Charlotte and Hunter stand on the end if that’s more comfortable,” Delilah said, completely unaware of how badly she was offending my cousin.

Charlotte moved over enough to make room for Rafe, but her hands were fisted so tight that her knuckles turned white.

“Okay, this works.” Delilah stepped back as Ray watched with Francois, both admiring the bookshelves in the background. “Yes. Yes. This is it. Natural smiles to start, please.”

We spent the next thirty minutes taking endless photos. Delilah had moved Rafe’s hand to rest on my knee, and every few minutes, he’d take his thumb and stroke the inside of my leg gently. As if he knew I was uptight and anxious and wanted to soothe me.

I appreciated it.

I was coming off the world’s best orgasm from last night, which was saying a lot, seeing as I was the only one touching myself. But it was the view in front of me that had gotten me there.

This tall, strong man stroking his erection as he watched me.

It was so hot, I’d never be able to get it out of my mind. I slept like a baby after that because it had been a long time since I wanted to be touched by anyone—a long time since anyone had made me want to even touch myself.

“Okay, that’s enough for me. Time to move on,” Gramps said.

Everyone agreed, and Charlotte asked to take a few photos without Rafe in them, but my parents stepped in before my grandfather did.

“We’re done, Charlotte.” My father’s eyes were hard, and Uncle Charles nodded in agreement, which surprised me.

“Okay, I’ll just hang out and take some candids while you all do the interview,” Delilah said.

Rafe gave me a look as he started to head for the kitchen to grab some food.

“Not so fast,” Ray said. “How about I start with Lulu and Rafe so they can take the boat out while I finish up with everyone else?”

“You have got to be kidding me,” Charlotte hissed. “Is this some kind of joke?”

“This is me doing my job. Laredo and MSL are huge brands, and not everyone is as interested in politics as you are, Mrs. Sonnet-Wellington.” Ray quirked a brow before turning back to me. “It won’t take but a few minutes. But I’d love to speak to both of you.”

Forty-five minutes later, he asked us far more than we were prepared to answer. Sweat dripped down my back the entire time, but Rafe handled it like a pro.

He never wavered or seemed nervous.

He told a great story about how we met, and I had no idea where he pulled that from.

He talked about my jewelry line with pride, as if he’d studied my website.

He talked about my gummy bear obsession, and then he pulled a mini bag of gummy bears from his pocket and handed them to me, making a joke about how he was always prepared.

Blasphemous.

This man was brilliant.

We made our way out to the kitchen, with my cousin Charlotte glaring at me when I told everyone we’d be back in a while. Mrs. Weston quickly packed up a few sandwiches that she was making, a large bottle of sparkling water, and some fruit in a basket, and we took it out to the boat.

“This is not good,” I whispered as we walked side by side toward the pontoon boat.

“What do you mean? I thought we did great.”

“Let’s get out on the water first,” I said.

We walked across the dock, and I stepped aboard, reaching my hands out to him for the picnic basket. Once we were both on, I moved to the front, and he offered to drive, telling me he grew up on boats on the river.

I nodded and pointed in the direction of my favorite peaceful spot on the water. The sun was out, but it was January, so I reached for two blankets beneath the seat and pulled them out. There was a cover on the boat, so it provided protection from the wind.

I pointed to the cove for him to pull into. He turned off the engine so we could just float out here. No one was out today, so it was quiet.

He moved to sit beside me, and I pulled the picnic basket between us, and we both started eating.

“So, what’s the problem? We killed it,” he said, and I tore open the bag of gummy bears he’d given me and popped a few into my mouth. They always helped me relax, like a shot of straight dopamine.

“That was the Weekday Morning Show, Rafe. The whole world is going to think we’re dating. This is a lot more than just my family and your boss.” I blew out a breath.

“So what? It’s not like we’re dating anyone else. No one is going to get hurt. Who cares?”

“I don’t think you realize how much attention this could get. I mean, maybe they won’t focus on us. Maybe the story will be about my uncle and Hunter, and we’ll barely be mentioned. He just asked you so many questions, and I’m afraid they are going to make it a big deal.”

“We’re fine. You worry too much.” He took a bite of his sandwich and groaned as he leaned back on the seat.

“What if your family hears about it? What if the press comes to Rosewood River?”

“We already have the Taylor Tea,” he chuckled.

“Shit. I dragged you into this,” I said, rubbing my hands over my face. This was going to be a big deal. I knew it in my gut.

“Lulu, relax. People thinking that I’m dating you is not a bad thing. I’m single right now. My boss thinks I’m in a relationship. It’s fine.”

I studied him for a few seconds.

Man, this guy was too good-looking for his own good.

“Rafe.”

“Lulu,” he said, his voice all tease.

“If Beckett hears about this, he’s going to lose his shit and make this a big deal. He loves a good show. The press will play into that. You’re going to be dragged into my shit, and I feel bad about it.”

“So, flash me your tits, and we’ll call it even.” He smiled, and damn if a rush of butterflies didn’t flutter in my stomach.

“This isn’t a joke. Maybe we can keep it under the radar. Charlotte is on a mission to make this about her father and Hunter. Hopefully, she gets her way this time.”

He reached for my bag of gummy bears and set it down before handing me some bread and cheese. “Eat something solid. You can’t live on gummy bears alone.”

His words startled me, and I didn’t even know why.

He was right, but no one had ever really commented on the amount of gummies I ate as an actual meal replacement.

I ate a bite of my sandwich and then reached for the fruit. “You’re much nicer than I thought you were when I first met you.”

“Really? Would that be when you karate-chopped me in the neck? This is such a surprise. I thought that meant you liked me,” he said, making no attempt to hide his sarcasm.

I chuckled. He was funny and easy and smart and handsome.

“So, why aren’t you in a relationship? I mean, you’re unfairly good-looking by most women’s standards. You’re funny and charming—even Ray Coffee was captivated, and he hates everyone.”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I’ve dated plenty. I just haven’t really found anyone that I wanted to get serious with since college. And even then, I was one foot out the door the minute she mentioned moving in together after we graduated.”

“Commitment-phobe?” I asked, taking another bite.

“I don’t think so. I’ve never been unfaithful. I’m a straight shooter when I date a woman.” He shrugged as he took a sip of the sparkling water right from the bottle before passing it to me. “My dad told me that when he and my mom were dating, she was about to leave to study abroad, and a sick feeling came over him. He said in that moment, he just fucking knew that she was the one, you know? And I guess I’m waiting for that.”

“So, did she study abroad?” I asked.

“Yep. But they admitted their feelings or something like that, and they talked daily that semester and have been together ever since.” He handed me a strawberry, before popping one into his mouth, as well. “How about you? The rock star tainted all men for you?”

“I just realized at some point that my life was revolving around a very selfish man. I wasn’t giving my business the attention it deserved at that time because I was being pulled in every direction. I have goals that I want to achieve, and I don’t want to be resentful for giving them up because my partner doesn’t support me, you know? So, I’m committed to My Silver Lining and growing my company. I date, or I did before I made up this whole relationship, but at this time in my life, I prefer to keep it casual.”

He nodded. “I get that. You mentioned that you hadn’t been with a man for a while, is that because of your ex?”

“Beckett has a ton of addiction issues, so we didn’t even have sex the last six months that we were together. And before that, it wasn’t great. It hadn’t been great for a long time. But we had this history because we dated all through college, and I think I felt this need to save him in a way, if that makes sense.”

“Explain,” he said, handing me back my bag of gummy bears as if he was pleased with the amount I’d eaten.

“When he started touring with the band and his fame grew, so did his problems. That was when I started trying to save him. He’d guilt me about not being there because I was building my company, so I’d neglect the things that were important to me to help him. And then the sex was awful because he was always wasted. He was sloppy, and I didn’t enjoy it. But I didn’t want to rock the boat when we only had a weekend together every couple of weeks. And weeks turned into months. And then one day, I woke up, and I was done. I just wanted out of it, and I didn’t care how uncomfortable he’d make me. But it hasn’t been easy, and I do feel bad because my family has been embarrassed by it.”

“Stop apologizing for something that you have no control over. You can’t control people from your past or your present. You dated a guy who was obviously a good guy in the beginning, and then he got famous, and he changed. It’s not your job to fix him. The only one I feel bad for is you. You’re the one who got the short end of the stick. And he’s a fucking moron for letting you go.”

I sucked in a breath. I was so used to being judged for dating Beckett and being dragged into the media. But Rafe was right.

I didn’t owe anyone an apology.

Well, aside from myself.