Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Rafa had been there during my Jared era and through the ugly aftermath. To say he disliked Jared was an understatement. He loathed the man intensely. But he also knew that I missed the close relationship I’d had with Jared’s family.
I winced before carefully setting my wineglass down. “I forgot to tell you the best part. Abby told me Jared’s planning on proposing. He wants to make it a big romantic deal at the holidays. Apparently, he has it all planned out.”
My hands immediately covered my ears as the expected screech escaped Rafa’s face. A string of Spanish expletives followed as he tossed his plate on the table and launched himself onto my lap. As soon as he was straddling me, he took my face in his hands. “That motherfucker,” he said, seething. “That. Motherfucker.”
I closed my eyes and nodded, feeling overwhelmed with emotions. Not because I was upset that my “no commitment” ex had decided to enter into the ultimate commitment, but because I had a best friend who knew me well enough to know that was the part that stung the most.
“Well, I hope Ben what’s-his-name has a small dick and is shit in bed,” Rafa said. “And if he and Jared do end up tying the knot, I hope he insists on a prenup and then ends up leaving Jared alone and destitute.” He pondered for a moment. “Or maybe Jared will have an unfortunate accident. I know people,” he growled.
I reached up to cup his cheeks. “I love you. But I don’t want you to be an accessory to murder. Stand down, Rafael Clavel. This too shall pass.”
He climbed off me with a beleaguered sigh. “Fine. I’ll wear my Tom Ford. And I’ll hang on your every word. Prepare yourself. I’m going to get handsy. Everyone there will know you are hot, you are wanted, you are the one that got away. Pinche cabrón.”
I barked out a laugh before reaching for my plate again. “You’re the best. But Tom Ford might be overkill for a Nacho Reception at a sports bar.”
“Fine. The sheer Alexander jacket. Not a gay man alive who’d be able to keep their eyes off your hot man in that thing.” He reached for his wineglass. The smug grin on his face made me roll my eyes.
“The Orttu pants,” I added, taking a bite of a wing. “Maybe a little eyeliner.”
Rafa nudged my knee with his foot. “Gonna make you proud, baby. You’ll see. Maybe I’ll bag myself a famous drummer…”
I laughed and let him distract me from the stress of the upcoming event. We spent the night gossiping and judging the queens. It was fun and easy—exactly what I needed.
The following night was exactly the opposite.
Rafa came through the door after a late dinner meeting with a client and found me putting a few dishes away. “Don’t murder me,” he began.
“No.” I immediately turned and glared at him. I could tell right away what was happening. “Rafael Clavel, you are not canceling. I refuse. I don’t care how hot your Grindr hookup is, and I don’t care what he promises you he can do with his tongue. My ex, the man I thought was The One, is bringing his celebrity boyfriend to this party, and I cannot show up single. There is no higher calling in the name of best friendship—”
“It’s not a Grindr hookup! I don’t do those anymore. I mean, I do. Obviously, I do. But only with… uh.” Rafa’s face turned seven shades of pink. “Never mind. The point is, I booked Eclat’s Golden Era Gala afterparty. Their planner canceled at the last minute, and they called me, and… I’m sorry, Hugh.”
I groaned. Eclat Magazine was one of Rafa’s bucket-list clients. He’d been working on getting a contract with them for ages, and getting to plan their Golden Era Gala’s after-event was like making it to the party-planning Super Bowl. “Damn it, Rafa. Now I can’t even be angry. Get out the fancy wine,” I ordered.
Rafa eyed me warily. “Are we drinking to forget?”
“Come on.” I shoved his shoulder gently. “Did you think I’d let worry over Jared stop me from congratulating my best friend? You booked Eclat! We’re drinking to celebrate.”
But I wasn’t feeling very celebratory the following day. While trolling the park for couples to interview for TikTok, it hit me all over again that I was back to being dateless for Abby and Dex’s party. And I hadn’t been lying when I told Rafa that I didn’t need to bring a boyfriend… but a small, petty part of me needed Jared to know I was doing just fine without him.
Oscar was my first thought as an alternate date—no surprise since he was the first and last thought my mind touched on, even now—but I quickly dismissed that idea. The idea of him coming with me had felt strangely risky even when he’d first suggested it. After Cape Cod, after the implosion of our friendship, it was a nonstarter.