Page 3 of Next Time We'll Fall

I look at her in surprise. I almost forgot she was there. She’s not paying any attention to me now though. Both of her eyes are on Rafe, and she’s staring at him like she’s a crow and he’s a decaying carcass she wants to feast upon. I’m slightly uncomfortable at just how desperately she’s gazing at him. Talk about making it obvious.

“I don’t need a ride, thank you very much.”

“I do. I need a ride.” Cassia’s tone is now that of a seductress.

The way she saidridemakes me think the journey she wants to go on is not in a car. I can tell by the way Rafe is standing there, all broad shoulders with smoldering eyes, he knows as well. Pig.

“Cassia, I think I have some books you might want to look at.” Mia steps forward with a wide smile and gestures Cassia to the stairs to go inside the van. “Some firefighter romances.”

“Oh, okay.” She looks disappointed, but I’m grateful to see her following behind Mia before giving Rafe a wistful glance back.

“Stop encouraging her,” I snap at him as he stands, smiling.

His eyes swivel to mine, and I can see he’s laughing at me. Which is ridiculous. He should be ashamed of himself for flirting with a tourist.

“Encouraging who with what?” He raises a perfectly arched dark brow, and his lips tremble with mirth, like he wants to burst out laughing. “I just came to say good morning before my swim and offer my services.”

“You came to spy on your sister.”

“I wanted to make sure she was okay.” He stares at me and gives me a knowing look. “You two aren’t known for your good decision-making when it comes to men.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m just saying … you both choose the worst men. I don’t know if you’re desperate or blind, but?—”

“You’re so rude, Rafe.” I put my hands on my hips and jut my chin up.

Sure, I’ve dated some losers, but who hasn’t?

“I just tell the truth as I see it.”

“Well then, maybe it’s time for you to get an eye test,” I huff out and take a deep breath. I don’t want him to know he’s succeeding in annoying the shit out of me. “Mia’s fine. Luke’s not a serial killer. They’ve been best friends for years, and now they’re in a relationship. Perfect love story.”

“We can agree to disagree on it being a perfect love story.” He shrugs, and from the look on his face, I can tell he’s debating on adding more. “Also, I’m serious about the ride. I’m more than happy to take my truck to pick up your cousins. If I remember them from last time, they had a gaggle of bags, and chaos surrounded them.”

“That was ten years ago.” I smile at the memories of my two crazy younger cousins. “They’ve grown up, and I’m sure they aren’t bringing a mountain of suitcases. I’ll be fine.”

“As you’ve been all your life.”

He grins, and I’m not sure what he means by that comment, but I’m not going to ask. I will not let him take me down a rabbit hole of analyzing his every word to me. I’ve already been there once in my life, and I don’t plan on going back.

“Anything else you need, Rafe?” I tap my finger against my watch. “I need to do some work before I get to the airport, and I don’t have time to dilly-dally, talking to you all morning.”

“There are many things I need, Juniper, but I don’t know that you’d be able to give them to me.”

There he goes again, and I have no idea what he’s alluding to. Is that a sexual innuendo or just a random comment? I don’t know, and I don’t have time to care. I’m not playing these games with Rafe again. Not after the last time. Not after he broke my heart into pieces.

“Oh, Juniper.” Mia pops her head back out of the bookmobile. “I got an email from Seb at the travel agency. He said it is possible to use five credit cards to make a deposit on that trip you want to take at Christmas, but he says he wouldn’t advise you to book a trip on the Orient Express, no matter how much you love Agatha Christie, because it’s out of your budget.”

“Oh, thanks.” I daren’t look at Rafe and his expression. “Good to know.”

“He says to call him back though because the credit card you used for the first payment was declined. He wants to make sure he didn’t get the number incorrect.”

“Okey dokey, I’ll call him,” I mumble, my face growing a bright red.

“Going on a trip?” Rafe says finally, and there’s a surprised look on his face. “For how long?”

“A while.” I shrug, not wanting him to know how badly I want to fulfill my trip to Europe and visit my favorite literary spots. Even if I don’t have enough money.