Page 46 of About That Pact

Jada had the biggest smile on her face. “Girlfriend, we are happy for you. Ever since you started spending more time with him, you’ve become more laidback.”

Rachel nodded in agreement. “You are always talking to him. And just now, you were blushing at whatever he said to you on the phone. You have a sex glow.”

“And, as an FYI, the concealer is doing a shitty job covering up the bite mark on your shoulder,” Jada informed her, pointing to the mark.

Charlotte’s hand immediately went to her shoulder, just above her collarbone. Jada was right. It was a bite mark. This was the last time she spent money on Elizabeth Arden makeup. It obviously didn’t do the trick.

“Is it serious?” Jada asked.

“How can sex be serious?” Rachel put her drink down in astonishment. “Was the news playing in the background or something? Was it CSPAN?”

Jada tapped Charlotte’s hand for her to look up. “Ignore our resident sexaholic. Is it serious between you and Rafe?”

That was the dreaded question.

Was it serious?

The answer was a solid no, they didn’t label it that way. Rafe wasn’t into anything serious. It had been noticeably clear whenever they hung out. He liked the way things were. Charlotte’s career was still her primary concentration. She was building her brand, her name in the industry. This was her way to eventually being able to open her own HR consulting firm. Her job was important, and she didn’t need the distraction of a boyfriend.

“No, it’s not serious.” She plastered a fake smile on her face. For some reason, it bothered her to admit they were casually sleeping together. “We’re having fun. Rafe is on a kick about how I need to enjoy life. This isn’t a long-term situation.”

Both of her friends eyed her suspiciously.

“Tell me about the speed dating thing you went to last night,” she asked Jada, making it clear the topic of Rafe was off the table.

Who knew Rafe, the guy she’d known all her life, would be tripping her up like this?

RAFE WAS KNOWN to be a patient person. He also believed all good things took time, so he wasn’t someone who rushed. He didn’t procrastinate by any stretch of the imagination, but he valued the time it took to get what he wanted. It was like a sweet reward.

Be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a night.

He had patience in spades when it came to Charlotte. She was the end game for him. If he had to take his time to get there, he would.

“I am pretty sure my girlfriends know we’re sleeping together,” Charlotte told him, a touch of agitation in her voice.

He put her on speaker so he could change into his pajamas. The golf tournament had turned into a long day. By the time he’d gotten home, he and Charlotte had decided to catch up tomorrow instead. He wanted to see her, but she was adamant about staying home. “Why would they think that?”

“They were able to coerce it out of me at brunch this morning.”

“You should have come with me to the PGA tournament like I said.”

“And miss all of the action pictures Jason text me? No way.”

Jason accompanying him to the tournament hadn’t been as bad as he’d expected. Turned out, Jason was a huge golf fan and took the sport seriously. Odd match-up since golf wasn’t exactly running wild with loads of female followers. It was the longest amount of time Rafe had ever been in Jason’s presence with him in silence. Of course, his demeanor changed afterward. Jason made friends with almost all the golfers. Rafe was pretty sure he’d heard Jason confirming plans to golf with one of them.

“Remind me,” Rafe said, taking her off speaker once he was dressed, “why it’s a big deal your friends know we are sleeping together.”

“Because they’ll make it bigger than it is. I haven’t seriously dated someone in forever and that is by choice. I don’t have time for a boyfriend. Working at a start-up is not only a time commitment, but so much responsibility because I’m building their entire human resources department from the ground up. Yes, I’m only working sixtyish hours a week now and needed that change, but I don’t want all my free time go to a man. I have friends. I have hobbies. My family. Ugh, I can’t just slap a boyfriend on top of it.”

Hearing the words tumble out of her mouth stopped him cold. Somehow, he’d figured this was the reason for her single status, but he didn’t like her reaffirming it. She was hellbent she couldn’t have a career and a boyfriend at the same time, but they’d been doing it for weeks without her even knowing. And she was happy.

“Rafe, you still there?”

He shook off his unease and attempted to keep it casual. “I’m here. You almost put me to sleep with your boring list of why you don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Shut up!” she protested with a laugh. “With you around, I don’t need a boyfriend. A friend with benefits is turning into the best thing ever.”

They spoke for a few more minutes, mostly about what their work week entailed, before getting off the phone.