“Okay. Want company?”
Although she felt guilty saying no, she did. “I think I need some time to think.”
“Of course.” He leaned down and kissed her.
Bailey kissed him back, leaning in and getting lost in his warmth again. She wished that Rafe would stop interfering because what she had with Holt was a good thing. A really good thing.
So why does it hurt so much that you can’t have Rafe?
That was the question she intended to ponder. Alone.
“Sweet dreams, little rabbit.”
“Good night,” she said before grabbing her clothes and heading up the private stairs to her apartment.
Once inside, she tossed her clothes into the laundry hamper and grabbed her phone off the counter. She pulled up Rafe’s number but rather than send a text, she called him.
“Why are you watching me?” she asked as soon as he answered.
“I’m not,” he said, his tone clipped. “Not on purpose.”
Her anger flared hot and bright. “Do you like seeing me with Holt? You like watching him make me come? Is that it?”
Rafe didn’t answer, and Bailey felt childish and mean. Not to mention stupid. She knew the answer already. Rafe had never wanted her the way she wanted him. Throwing Holt in his face was the act of a bitter, desperate woman.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” She took a deep breath.
“I came by to talk to you, Bailey.”
He sounded sad, and it ripped at her heart. “You did?”
“Yeah. I miss you, that’s all.”
Her heart squeezed painfully tight in her chest. “I miss you, too, Rafe.”
“Bailey…”
She held her breath, waiting for him to keep going. When he didn’t, she realized that was Rafe’s M.O. Pretending like he was going to give her a glimpse into his heart only to yank it away with non-answers or deafening silence. He wasn’t going to open up to her. No matter how much she wished he would, Rafe wasn’t going to use the sweet words that Holt used because that wasn’t who he was.
With a heavy exhale, Bailey let the last shred of hope fade. “Good night, Rafe.”
She didn’t wait for a reply before disconnecting the call.
Despite her best efforts, the tears began to fall, and she realized just how much she’d been holding out hope that Rafe would one day come around.
Chapter Fifteen
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Holt was sitting in the bakery thefollowing day when Rafe appeared on the small porch in front of the bookstore.
Now that Holt knew the man lived in the apartment above it, it explained where he’d disappeared to that day. And it explained why Violet Anderson had been so protective of the man. He was her tenant, and she was protecting his privacy. Or maybe they were roommates. Could be either, but based on what Holt knew about Rafe, the man couldn’t live with anyone. Hell, it was an act of God to get him to sleep in the same bed. Even though he’d managed that one time, Rafe had disappeared at some point, so Holt couldn’t say whether Rafe had fallen asleep at all.
His thoughts drifted back to last night when Rafe had been standing on the porch watching him and Bailey. Holt had known he was there. Not at first, but he’d heard something and looked around, wanting to shield Bailey if necessary. The light over the metal building had come on, shining on a figure near the bushes. He hadn’t been able to make out a face, but the cap had given Rafe away.
Holt had expected Rafe to come storming back there, demanding Holt stay away from her. He knew the man wasn’t thrilled that Holt was with her. He’d said as much. But Holt didn’t think it had as much to do with Rafe trusting him not to hurt her as it was with Rafe being jealous. The burning question was whether Rafe was jealous of him or Bailey. Or both.
Good news was, there was a chance Holt was about to find out.
