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“None. Look, women find a man and they think ‘good enough, I can mold him’ and a man just keeps looking until he finds the woman he wants to settle down with.” I had no desire to change a woman, or be changed by anyone.
“That’s not offensive at all.”
I shrugged, not bothered by her tone. “You expect me to believe that I’m such a great catch that a dozen different women have wanted to settle down with me? Or is it that I’ve got the makings of a good partner they can shape over time?”
I didn’t need an answer, Reese’s speechlessness told me everything I needed to know. “So, you do want more than sex with Janey?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, knowing it made no sense. “But I don’t like that she just automatically assumed I wouldn’t want anything but…that.”
“Ah,” she said, nodding her head with a knowing smile. “Your ego is dented, and I’m sorry Rafe, but that’s not a good enough reason to pursue anyone, never mind Janey.”
“Why?”
“Because things will be awkward after,” she said sheepishly.
“After what, Reese?”
She shrugged. “After you break her heart Rafe, what else?”
“Unbelievable! Even you, my own damn friend has so little faith in me. Well thanks Reese. Thanks a fucking lot.”
“Oh, spare me the melodrama Rafe. You’re an alright guy, there’s no doubt about that. But your track record for serious relationships is…nonexistent, whereas your record for short, shallow affairs is pretty extensive.”
“And that’s a crime?”
“No, not at all, and I’m sure Janey doesn’t think so either. But it’s a red flag for a woman who is in search of a life partner, someone who doesn’t seem to want to settle down.”
“That’s pretty much what she said. Which means this is a lost cause, right?”
Reese stood and frowned at me, placing both palms flat on my desk, her expression fierce. “Not even a little bit. Do you like Janey? Honest answer.”
I sighed, but the answer came easily. “Yes.”
“Are you sure you want more than sex?” I nodded again, my expression darker now. “Good, then prove it. Don’t go crazy and make a big scene about it, but show up when you say you will. Keep your word. Treat her like you treat me, only more romantic. And with more orgasms.”
“Got that part covered,” I assured her and she responded exactly how I expected, with a bunch of phony gagging noises.
“Thanks for the visual,” she said finally. “I’ll be sure to return the favor. Soon.”
“Don’t feel that you have to,” I told her with a nervous smile that made her laugh again. “Thanks for lunch. And the talk.”
“Anytime. Also, you’ll need to be patient with this, prove to her you’re in it for the long haul. Good luck.” Reese gave a quick wave and seconds later I heard the fast pace of her feet running down the steps, always in a hurry to get back to her kitchen.
Alone with my thoughts again, I picked up my phone, unable to stop the smile on my face when her voice sounded down the line, like she was smiling. “You got lunch.”
“I did,” I told her with a smile. “Thanks. Got your message too.”
“Excellent. I take it that means your calendar is clear?”
“It means I will be there, and so will my gear.”
“Good,” she said in a low husky breath before clearing her throat. “Then I’ll see you Sunday morning.”
“It’s also the end of my long shift,” I told her just in case she was interested in meeting up.
Her answer shocked the hell out of me. “I know,” she told me and then quickly ended the call.
I don’t know how long I stared at the phone wearing a goofy smile, but I know it was too damn long.JaneySunday morning came too early, as it always did when you planned a job earlier than was necessary. But a quick talk with some of the Tulip firefighters revealed that there was a mandatory training session on the books today, which meant the guys on shift would still be sleeping, and all the rest would far away from the firehouse until nine a.m. At least.
I got up after just one press of the snooze button, grabbed a quick shower as hot as I could stand it to wake me up and pre-soothe my muscles from bending and contorting my body for the next few hours. I dumped half a pot of coffee in my Welcome to Tulip thermos and drank it slowly while I loaded the necessary equipment into my car. It occurred to me about halfway through my journey to the fire station that maybe, just maybe, I should have made more of an effort on my appearance.
Rafe didn’t seem to mind, then again he was getting no strings sex on a regular basis so what did he have to complain about? Then there was the niggling sound of the matchmakers’ voices talking about what kind of woman Rafe needed. That woman was well put together, ultra-feminine and probably a knockout. I was none of those things and a quick look down at my worn in jeans with a small slit across the left knee, and the loose tank top commemorating Tulip’s yearly food festival with a smaller plain white tank underneath, proved it.
