Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
I tensed, my fingers curling tightly around my fork, but I smiled brightly at Greg. “It’s fine, really.”
Hugo grimaced. “Look, I’m sorry if it came out like that, but my question is relevant.”
“It’s also none of your damn business.” Rafe stared stonily at his brother. Then his gaze shifted to Pippa. “And Star’s commute won’t be an issue in a while, anyway.”
I looked at him with a puckered brow. “It won’t?”
He met my gaze and shrugged. “In a while we’ll probably move in together and since my place is bigger, I just assumed . . .” He frowned at my slackened expression. “Or not. We can move into your place. Shit, yeah, we can live there. I know you like being close to your friends.”
Rafe had completely misunderstood my expression.
I didn’t care about living on the Upper West Side.
I cared that he wanted us to move in together. That for him, it was just a given that we were on that path. “Live together?” I murmured.
His eyes searched mine. Then he said, “We practically do anyway. Right?”
Instead of the panic I thought I’d feel, I was excited. Living with Rafe meant I’d get to go to bed every night in his arms (because he was definitely a cuddler) and wake up beside him every morning. I could suddenly envision myself on his couch, reading a book while he watched a wildlife documentary. It was all very domesticated.
And weirdly thrilling.
“Your place would make the most sense,” I agreed quietly. “You’re close to the clinic and I work in the city most days.”
Rafe’s lips curled at the corners as his eyes lit with relief. “Yeah?”
I nodded, trying not to grin like the Cheshire Cat. “Though we’ll need to install some bookshelves.”
His hand slid under the table to squeeze my thigh. “I think that can be arranged.”
Heat tingled between my legs and he must have seen the arousal in my gaze, because he swallowed hard and removed his hand. His expression promised me later.
“Consider carefully.” Hugo interrupted our moment. “The last woman you lived with was Camille.”
Rafe cut his brother a look. “Star isn’t Camille.”
“No, she very much isn’t,” Jen agreed, casting Hugo a glare of warning.
He held up his hands in surrender and dropped his gaze to his plate.
“Well . . . okay then.” Pippa’s voice sounded high-pitched, drawing my attention.
Rafe’s sister-in-law stared at me as if she’d never seen me before.
I’d understand what that look meant later when she announced over dessert, “Star, I don’t know if Rafe told you, but I’ve started freelancing. As an attorney.”
He hadn’t, actually. “Oh wow, that’s great.”
“Yes, I’m very excited to get back to work. Anyway, I’m now the attorney for my best friend, Pamela, and she owns a very successful interior design firm in the city. She told me she’s looking for a new assistant. Someone to run errands, book appointments, take inventory, host the clients when they come into the office. But she also wants someone with style and an interest in aesthetics and I can’t think of anyone better than you. You have such a great way with people, you have your own style, and this could be something that leads to more. I can absolutely get you this job if you want it. For me, Pamela would overlook your lack of a college degree.”
Rafe cleared his throat beside me and I found him frowning at his sister-in-law. It was obvious she hadn’t run this past him, and I wondered if she’d just come up with this a few minutes ago. I smiled at Pippa as I replied, “Oh, that’s such a kind thought, Pippa, but I’ve never done office work.”
“Oh, this is different from normal office work. Besides, you’re so smart, I know you’d be a quick learner.”
“Star has a job. Two, in fact,” Rafe told her, his tone almost a warning.
Pippa shrugged. “This would be full-time Monday to Friday, but the salary would probably be more than what you make from both jobs. Plus, it includes great health insurance and dental and I could assist you in choosing a private pension investment plan that would be great for your retirement.”
As I glanced around the table, it felt as if everyone was waiting with bated breath for my response. I wasn’t stupid. I knew that at some point soon I really needed to think about my plans for the future, but the thought of taking on a job that came with that many strings made me feel claustrophobic. It wasn’t a job I could just walk away from without upsetting Rafe’s family. “I—”
“Think about it. You can take the week and tell me next Friday.”
“Next Friday?”
“Greg’s birthday dinner.”
Oh right. I’d forgotten Rafe had asked me to that. Greg, unlike his wife, didn’t like a big fuss and just wanted his family with him at his favorite seafood restaurant up the coast. Rafe had also complained that the whole reason he needed to hire a third vet at the clinic was because his family was constantly filling up his weekends with social events.