Page 20 of About That Pact

Charlotte blew off his suggestion with a wave of her hand. “Your innuendo doesn’t work on me. I have first-hand knowledge it does not, in fact, last long.”

“Hey,” he sat up in defense. “Cut me some slack. It was your first time.”

She shrugged him off. “I’m sure your skills in the bedroom are fine.”

“Fine?”

“Yes, fine.” Charlotte spun the wine in her glass before taking a sip. “You had an article a year or two ago about orgasms, so I’m sure you know what you’re doing. Wait—are your articles actually fiction?”

“Are you being serious?” he questioned, a shocked expression on his face.

She had to hide her smirk so he didn’t see how much she loved provoking him. Rafe had made her first time perfect. He had no idea she still compared every intimate encounter to the one she’d shared with him. They had also never talked about it.

“I’m sure you’ve made someone happy in bed.”

“Is this an invitation to remind you how happy you were in bed with me?” His voice was clipped.

She checked the time on the clock hanging on the wall. “Not even close. Don’t we have to leave? It’s eight o’clock now.”

Rafe hesitated, giving her a look that showed he’d rather prove her wrong on her bedroom assessment of him. Instead, he stood up, and she followed suit. “This conversation isn’t over.”

Charlotte patted him on the back. “Sure. Now, let’s go so I can get this stupid favor over with.”

RAFE SAW WILL and his wife Callie sitting at a table in the corner of the restaurant. They were enjoying their time together, not at all concerned he was running late. This wasn’t surprising. Will and Callie had known him for years and had probably figured he’d gotten caught up in work and would meet them eventually.

Will turned in Rafe’s direction, his eyes wide and mouth open at seeing Charlotte. If Callie was surprised, she hid it better than her husband. When they got to the table, Callie stood up and gave Rafe a hug, then introduced herself and Will, who still had his mouth hanging open, to Charlotte.

“This is Charlie,” Rafe announced before Charlotte could as they all sat down

She was fast in correcting him. “It’s Charlotte. Rafe has a hard time letting go of the past, as I found out earlier today. Anyway, I’ve known him all my life, so if you want any gossip to hang over his head, let me know.”

“You can ignore her,” Rafe told his friends as he picked up the menu, perusing the drink options. “She doesn’t get out much.”

Charlotte tapped his hand in a light smack. “I do get out, thank you very much. If you wanted people to ignore me then you shouldn’t have brought me with you—on a double date, of all things. I plan to use my time wisely. I hope I can embarrass you as much as possible while we’re here.”

Will and Callie shared a private glance, then nodded their heads. Rafe was used to their weird, coupley nature.

“Don’t do that whole silent communication thing,” Rafe warned his friends.

“There you go again,” Charlotte said, her eyes shining. “Thinking you’re the boss of everyone.”

Their waiter came over to get their drink orders. It was a quick reprise in Charlotte sharing stories in attempt to embarrass him. It took a lot to get under his skin, but Charlotte had perfected that skill years ago.

“This is going to be fun.” Callie had a teasing tone in her voice.

“Trust me, she doesn’t need anyone egging her on,” Rafe said.

Will had an amused look on his face. “Are you nervous of what she might say?”

“Hardly. For every story she can tell you, I’ll have one about her,” Rafe countered.

Their bottle of wine came, and after their waiter poured them all a glass, Will said, “I’ll sit here all night listening to stories about Rafe. I never turn down an opportunity to have some blackmail up my sleeve.”

Rafe groaned, and Charlotte laughed.

“You should be worried,” she started, then turned to Will and Callie. “He peed the bed until he was almost seven.”

“I’m a deep sleeper!” he yelped, causing another table of guests to stare at them. “And you spent a whole summer trying not to step on cracks. It would take us forever to get to the arcade when we walked on the boardwalk.”