Page 13 of About That Pact

“Why, seriously, would you say that?”

He chuckled. “Because now you know my favorite color is red and how good you look in it.”

Now, it was her turn to be speechless.

ONCE THEY ARRIVED at the bar and to the table where her friends were waiting, both women silently gasped. Their astonishment would have made Rafe laugh, but he remembered Charlie’s whole ‘thin ice’ comment earlier, and he didn’t want their night to end early. A bigger take away from her friends’ reaction: Char didn’t bring random men out with her. This tidbit of information made him happy.

“Who are you?” a redhead with big brown eyes asked.

Charlotte kicked him in the shin, like it was his fault they were still standing.

“Fuck!” He reached down to rub his leg. He hadn’t said anything to her friends, so her violence was undeserved.

“Rafe is the son of family friends,” she quickly answered before he had a chance. “He invited himself here tonight. As a consolation, he promised to buy the first two rounds.”

He was sure he had only said the first round, but let it go. There was one goal for tonight and that was to have a good time. The bar was crowded, but not obnoxiously so because they didn’t have to yell over noise. The high-top table her friends had snagged was in a good spot near the bar. If her attitude continued all night, he had a feeling some drinks would be needed. On his end, anyway.

“The son of family friends?” The redhead cocked her head to the side while he and Charlotte sat down. “You make it sound like you’re babysitting him tonight.”

“A glorified babysitter. That is one way to put it.” Charlotte pursed her lips.

The other woman at the table, who had deep brown eyes and black braids trailing down her back, asked, “Why would he need a babysitter?”

“Look at him,” the redhead said, pointing at Rafe. “He probably gets into trouble wherever he goes.”

Charlotte caught his gaze. She was still unimpressed. “Correct. He is nothing but trouble. Also, if you make a bet with him, know he expects you to pay it back in full.”

“Why would you make a bet and not own up to it?” Rafe was defensive.

They were still eyeing each other, as if her two friends didn’t exist.

“Why would you make a bet when the prize is something so serious?” she shot back.

This was taking a turn.

“That wasn’t a bet, it was a pact.” Her bringing up their past was a low blow. If she was trying to piss him off, it was working. “Huge difference. And I’d like to remind you that you were the one who came to me with that—not the other way around.”

“I need to know more,” the redhead cut in.

Rafe turned his charm on her friends. He was ready to win them over. “I am at a disadvantage. You know not only my name, but that you shouldn’t make a bet with me and I am known to cause trouble. Since Charlie did a shit job at introductions, allow me.”

He reached out and shook the redhead’s hand. “You are?”

“Rachel.” She had an edge to her. “I am notoriously late and love peanut butter and jelly.” She responded back just as he had, which made him appreciate her quick thinking. No surprise to Rafe that Charlotte would have friends who were smart and clever, just like her.

Rafe switched his attention to her other friend, the one who seemed like the sweetheart of their trio. She shook his hand. “I’m Jada. I do yoga three times a week and I’ve never been pulled over.”

“Your turn, Charlie,” Rachel drawled out her nickname.

“My name is Charlotte. You all know I despise any nickname. This is just like ‘fetch’—do not try to make it a thing. I want a drink, and I regret wearing this dress.”

Her words flew out of her mouth, sounding like she had just bit into a lemon—and it was all directed at him. He didn’t care, especially if she didn’t like her clothes. He did, and it wasn’t like she could change now.

Their waitress came over, and they ordered a round of drinks. Charlotte was sitting in between her two friends, which was fine with him. They were at a square table, so her attempt to distance herself had only put her directly in front of him.

As soon as they got their drinks, Jada lifted her glass. “To finding out more about Rafe!”

“And why there’s such an emphasis on the difference between bets and pacts,” Rachel added, raising her glass.