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“It’s more than that.” Dakota is looking right at me, her large blue eyes like windows into a summer sky.
I grab Rafe’s coffee and take a sip, hiding behind the mug. “Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“Didn’t you hear what I said about boys thinking differently?” She makes a disgusted sound. “Getting anything out of him is like pulling nails. Zane was like that, too, when his sister was dying last summer.” She passes the kitten to me, and I put down the mug to take him. “But of all people, he opened up to me.”
“Why?”
She smiles. “Because he’s in love with me. Just like Rafe’s in love with you.”
I stroke the kitty’s silky fur, thinking about this. “You think so?”
He did ask me to wait for him, sure, he asked me if I’m his, even said he loved me as he was falling asleep the other day—but that doesn’t have to mean anything.
No matter how much I wish it did.
“Girl…” Erin laughs and shakes her head. “Boy’s head over heels. It was obvious for months now, but lately you can practically hear him pant when you’re near. And the happiness on his face when you’re touching him, talking to him…”
“He’s gone,” Dakota says, leaning back, grinning. “Boy’s smitten. And I bet he told you what’s worrying him lately. I’d bet my car on it.”
“That useless piece of junk?” Erin mutters and sticks her tongue out.
Dakota crosses her legs and swings one military boot back and forth. “So? Am I right?”
Dammit. “Yes, okay. He did.” I scratch behind Raf’s ears. “But I can’t tell you. He’s the one who should.”
“Fair enough. But we’ve already established he won’t tell anyone but you.” Dakota makes puppy eyes at me. “At least can you tell us if it’s something we could help him with?”
I think about this. “I’m not sure.” I frown, as I realize something. “He never really explained. He only told me he was trying to fix things. And that his family’s murderer is out there, free. The police never caught him.”
“It’s always worse on the anniversary,” Erin says after a while, when she realizes I’m done talking. “And knowing the murderer is out there… It must be horrible.”
“Jesus, I…” I scrub a hand over my face. “I know almost nothing about what happened to his family.”
To him.
“It’s a hard topic. He may not be ready to talk about it any time soon.” Erin sends me a sympathetic look. “But there are articles you can read online about it. It’s not as if it’s a secret, you know.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. Should I do it? Google it?
Dakota’s phone pings, and she gets up. “Time to go. We’re visiting Audrey. I think she’ll be having the baby soon, she’s huge.” She giggles. “Can’t wait to meet mini Ash, or mini Audrey. Wanna come with, Meg?”
I shake my head. A shudder wracks me. “No, thanks. Another time.”
“You sure? Won’t you drive yourself crazy sitting here, worrying about Rafe and the guys?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“If you change your mind, give us a call.” Erin steps close, puts her arms around me. “Everything will turn out fine, girl, don’t you worry. Trust in love, okay?”
At any other time, I would have laughed. It sounds so cheesy and overdramatic—but oh God, I do love Rafe, and I want to trust that feeling.
“Here’s my tablet,” Erin says, pushing it into my hands. “It’s got satellite wi-fi. Look up anything you like. Give it to me next time we see each other.”
“Thank you.”
She nods, and her pretty dark eyes shine. “He’s worth it. Rafe. He’s worth fighting for. And he deserves someone who’ll accept him as he is, who’ll help him and love him. I think, despite the brotherhood and the friendship he shares with these boys, he’s always been on his own, inside. The load is too heavy. But I think you know that. And you’re still here. That tells me everything I need to know.”
I clutch the thin tablet to my chest as they leave, her words echoing in my ears.
