I grabbed her from the bed, tossing her over my shoulder as I hurried her to the bathroom.
“You don’t have to ask me twice,” I said as I set her on the counter in the bathroom and turned on the shower.
I think this arrangement is going to work out just fine.
twenty
. . .
Lulu
We’d been backin Rosewood River for two weeks with no sign of the annoying rock star, yet this new arrangement was working out really well. Rafe had moved into the guest room, and we spent most of our time together when he wasn’t at the office.
We ate meals together.
We watched movies.
We’d make out until our lips ached, amongst other things, aside from sex.
It wasn’t an option.
And at the end of the day, I’d kiss him good night and pad down to my room, and he’d go to his.
My best friend was completely confused by the arrangement, but she supported it, as long as I assured her no one would get hurt. All she asked of both of us was that we parted ways amicably because we’d both be in her and Easton’s life forever. So it wasn’t an option not to.
I gave her my word, and so did Rafe.
I’d never had such a formal outline for dating someone. Perhaps this would have come in handy in my last relationship, as every possible rule one could break had been broken.
“That design is going to blow the Parisians away,” Jared said with a chuckle. We were having our weekly team meeting, which consisted of my three executives, who I trusted immensely. It was much easier for me to trust people on a professional level versus a personal level.
Jared was in charge of operations, and he’d really helped me expand and grow the company over the last eighteen months.
Sarah was in charge of marketing MSL, and she’d branded us well, which had been key to getting large stores to look at us.
Monique was in charge of our creative department, and I ran every design by her. She’d originally worked for my mother at Laredo for many years, but she moved over to work with me last year because my mother thought she could help me grow, as well.
They’d all become close friends, and I knew I had chosen the right people to surround myself with, both professionally and personally.
“Yes. People are a sucker for "Forever,” and we should be able to get that piece out on the market by the holidays next year. But sales have been going through the roof with orders for Valentine’s Day, so I can only imagine what will happen when we launch this as a set.” We were going to do this design in a bracelet, earrings, and a necklace. People loved a set, me included.
“The orders for this launch in Paris are going to be large. I’ve already got our manufacturers ready to increase our orders, and I’m excited to see how big this expansion is going to be,” Jared said.
The front door opened, and Rafe strolled in, wearing a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie after going on his run this morning.Our team meetings were early, as all three of them lived on the East Coast. Rafe usually went for his run first thing in the morning, and he’d been gone before I woke up. He moved around to the screen and smiled.
“There they are. The dream team,” he said.
“Look at that tall drink of water,” Jared said, waggling his brows, just as his partner, Frankie, walked by and swatted him in the head with a rolled-up magazine.
“Is he already flirting with your boyfriend this early in the morning?” Frankie groaned as he waved at the camera and handed Jared his mug of coffee.
“I just said that he was good-looking. You’ve even said the man is ridiculously good-looking,” Jared reminded his husband.
“Touché.” Frankie kissed the top of Jared’s head and waved. “I’m off to a meeting. See you all later.”
Rafe was still laughing as I shooed him away and wrapped up our meeting.
I studied him as he had his back to me while he scrambled up a few eggs. I had never been one to eat breakfast, but this man had been relentless about how it was the most important meal of the day.
