Page 69 of Rafe

“Hello Rafe.” Smiling, she released him with a few pats to his bicep. “Aren’t you a strong one? Arms like a concrete wall. Big guy too. You need to tell me your workout routine.” She turned and winked at Skylar.

“We’re just friends, mom.” Skylar inwardly cringed.

“Of course, dear. Come, let’s have a glass of wine. We brought some back with us. I can’t wait to tell you about the trip to Europe. Dad got the brie you like.”

“Mom. It’s not even lunchtime yet.”

“I’m on another time zone. Besides it’s five o’clock somewhere.”

Her mom was a force of nature. Guilt wove through her as she watched her usher Rafe into the kitchen. The sexy six-foot-five Alpha wolf didn’t stand a chance against her five-foot-three mom. In a few hours, she’d lure him into dancing to Frank Sinatra.

What was I thinking? Recalling their night together, Skylar remembered their pact. Just friends. It was a lie, but it had to be the truth. There was no other way for them to move forward. Rafe did not belong to her. He’d soon become wolf again and he’d find his mate. And I’m not it.

Pain bloomed in her chest spreading throughout her body. One taste of him last night, and she’d gone to places she’d never dared to go with a man. They healed each other’s souls, and he’d rocked her world. But last night was over. Today he’d leave, go on to live his best life, in a pack, with family. As Alpha.

Friends. That meant she’d have to watch him long for another woman one day. She’d be the friend invited to their parties, to the celebrations for their birthdays and the birth of their children. And no matter how much she yearned for him, he’d never look back.

For all those reasons and a million more, she had to let him go. Catching raging out of control feelings and mind-blowing sex was all that would come from this situation. Friends was as good as it was ever going to get.

At some point she’d be forced to put distance between them. One less call. One less text. A forgotten birthday. And soon years would go by, and she’d no longer think of him. Skylar told herself she’d get through it. She’d been heartbroken a few times and survived.

“Hey Mom. Rafe’s got to get going. A friend is coming to pick him up soon.”

“I always have time for a glass of wine,” Rafe told her. “Did you see what she brought from Portugal? Quinta de la Rosa? Nice.”

“You’ve been?” Skylar asked.

“Yes, I lived in Lisbon for a year and later moved to Lagos. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Where did you go, Mrs. Hem⁠—”

“Oh come now, call me Patty.” Her cheeks flushed red.

“May I help you open the wine?” Rafe offered.

“You may help me open two bottles. After that flight, I’m thinking we need a backup. Thank God the deli was open. I’m starving.”

“I like the way you think Mrs…Patty.” Rafe nodded and set to work.

Skylar watched Rafe laugh with her mom, and her stomach dropped. The man could charm a nun on the way to church and surely charmed her mom too. He was almost perfect. Almost. No, no, no, he couldn’t be good at this too.

Skylar considered if she had a reason not to like Rafe it might get her through her impending heartbreak. Anger was better than tears. Her only hope remained that her dad would be so difficult that Rafe would consider himself lucky to have dodged a bullet. He’d leave and never speak to her again.

She sighed, her rumination broken by the sound of her dad’s voice. “Where’s my blue Sky?”

“Daddy!” Skylar fell into his burly arms. Stubborn as a mule, her protective father hadn’t been happy about her leaving for New Orleans.

“How’s my girl? I hope you’re going to stay for a while this time.”

Skylar smiled as she saw his classic discerning look wash over his face. The interrogation would proceed quickly and surely scare off the wolf.

“And who is your friend?”

“Rafe. This is my dad. Dad. Rafe Beaumont.”

“Hello sir. Mister Hemlock. Excellent choice of wine you and your beautiful wife have brought back from Portugal.” Rafe extended his hand.

“Thank you.” Her father shook it with a nod. “Nice grip there. You can tell a lot about a man by his handshake. Last guy she brought home noodled me.”

“Dad. Dave was well…he was…”