Page 19 of About That Pact

Until that fucking article. It had made him feel lonely and made him think of when he wasn’t lonely.

It had made him think of Charlie.

It was like a zap of electricity pulsed through him just by being near her.

A reality check that the something missing in his life was her.

Only problem was, she avoided him at all costs.

His phone pinged with a text from his friend Will.

Don’t forget drinks tomorrow at eight.

He gave a quick reply he would be there, then an idea came to him. He wanted to see Charlotte—and this gave him the perfect opportunity. He sent off a text.

Charlotte now had plans with him tomorrow, and he had to let her know about them.

FRIDAYS WERE HISTORICALLY known to be something to celebrate. The work week was over, and the weekend was there for a recharge. Charlotte would schedule her weekend, hour by hour, to make sure she was able to cross off all the items on her to-do list. Laundry, cleaning, and meal prep for the next week. It was perfection in her eyes.

But not today.

At lunch, she’d gotten a text.

Cashing in favor number two. This time, we’re having drinks with my friends. I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty.

The arrogant asshole hadn’t even bothered asking if she wanted to go, let alone seeing if she already had plans. Okay, so she didn’t have “go somewhere” plans, but her laundry wasn’t going to wash itself. She also wanted to do the literal version of Netflix and chill, which meant a glass of wine, Outlander, and her oldest, most comfortable pair of pajamas.

Now, instead of discovering if Claire marries Jamie, she was changing into jeans and a fitted black tank top.

As she brushed her hair into a sloppy bun, someone knocked on her front door. It was a little before seven-thirty, but it had to be Rafe.

She swung the door open, and he started talking while walking into her place before she could even say hello.

“I thought you were going to back out, so I got here early in case I had to convince you.” He made himself comfortable on her couch. “But since you look like you’re ready to go out, we can share a drink before we leave.”

Not that she would admit it, not out loud anyway, but Rafe looked good sitting on her couch. He smiled at her, and she couldn’t help but return one back to him.

“I only have wine,” she mumbled, thrown off by the natural feel of them spending time together, like they were meant to have a casual Friday night drink before meeting friends, like…relationship stuff.

Her drink options didn’t deter him. “I could have a glass of white. Do you have a Sauvignon Blanc? Gabriella can’t stop bragging about the one from Abella Winery.”

It made sense he would listen to his younger sister about wine. Gabriella was the PR for one of the most prestigious wineries in Napa Valley. If she ever gave a recommendation, Charlotte always bought it. Gabriella was rarely wrong. This included their latest Sauvignon Blanc.

“She sent it to me a few weeks ago,” Charlotte told him while walking into the kitchen to grab the bottle from the refrigerator.

Opening the wine, she poured two glasses. The drink was destined to take off the edge she’d been on since Rafe had barged in. He’d always given her butterflies, ever since they’d shared her first kiss when she was thirteen. He’d always made her heart race, ever since she’d given him her virginity at eighteen. He’d always taken her breath away, ever since she’d been old enough to appreciate how smart he was. At times, he even had a tendency to be sweet.

“You don’t need to let it chill,” Rafe called to her. “It was already in fridge. I figured at this age you would know the fruiter wines don’t need to sit out.”

Okay, maybe he wasn’t all that sweet.

Walking back into the living room, she handed him his glass of wine, then sat on the loveseat caddy corner to him, deciding to let him have the couch to himself.

“And to think, I was just recalling how nice you were,” she said wryly. “Then you speak, and I’m reminded the sentiment never lasts long.”

Rafe took a drink of his wine.

“Some things last long,” he said with a wink.