From the security camera, Liz watched Rafe park his Escalade in the driveway. Her heart raced as she ran into the kitchen and saw all the food prepared.
She rushed to answer the door once he rang the doorbell, pausing to check her hair in the mirror. Liz straightened her white skirt and whispered to herself stay calm. The words did little to ease her, but then she swung open the door and smiled.
Rafe's olive skin overpowered the evening sky and his smile lit up every inch of her. She stepped out of the light and waved him in. As he passed her in the hall, she quickly closed the door and ignored the smell of oak trees that made her believe she was home. "Ashley is setting the table."
She opened her mouth to tell him that she cared about him, when their son wailed from his bedroom. Rafe placed his hand on her shoulder and nodded at her. "I'll tuck Brandon in."
They had functioned like a family for almost a week. She should be relieved, but right now she wanted to follow him. It was time to lay her cards on the table. She tracked him with her gaze and then took a step. Someone else knocked. She stopped midstride and turned around. "I'll be right behind you. Let me answer this."
Star Island was secure, so it had to be someone from next door.
Her son's laugh echoed to the living area and hall from the monitors as Rafe walked into his bedroom. They were a family. Then she opened the door and her face froze as she nodded. "Jennifer."
The actress was dressed in red and white. Her red skirt and shoes accentuated her curves in a way that made Liz feel scrawny and unfeminine in front of her. Jennifer sashayed into her house and placed her pocketbook on the table beside the door. "They told me at the hospital Rafe was discharged and he's not home. Is he here?"
"Yes." She hugged her waist but then remembered her brother's wise words to trust Rafe cared and to not let her own self-esteem ruin her chances at happiness. "He's putting our son to bed. I'll get him."
Her footsteps were heavy as she walked down the hall and left Jennifer in the living area. She opened the door quietly. Rafe tucked in her sleepy son and then turned toward her. "He's almost asleep."
"I see that." She nodded. No matter what she'd have to find a way for her son to see his father. Then she lifted her chin. "Rafe, Jennifer is here."
He scowled and shook his head. "I didn't invite her."
"I know you don't have a new phone yet." She held the door for him to go before her to the hall. "She obviously wants to see you."
He stopped in front of her and placed his hand on her waist, to keep her close. The air was tinged with the smell of oak trees. He whispered, "Liz, tonight it's just you and me for dinner. Let me talk to Jen for a minute and then we'll be alone. You are what I want to focus on."
Focus on didn't mean be with or love. She covered her lips and then the doorbell rang again. Clearly tonight they’d be having a stream of visitors when all she wanted was Rafe. She nodded. "I'll see who it is while you talk to Jen."
"Fair enough, but tonight, we’re spending it alone," Rafe muttered as he followed her down the hall.
Jennifer then directed Rafe onto the patio outside to talk privately. Rafe went though his brown eyes met hers with what she dared hope was love. She opened the door to find Matthew on the porch. Her brother smiled and walked inside. "Matthew."
Her gaze went toward the window. Jennifer hugged Rafe. Liz's stomach churned. She blinked and turned toward her brother as he took her hand and said, "How are you? Luke told me to make sure you're okay."
She tugged her ear and reminded herself not to look outside. "I'm fine. You're the one who was missing for months. Where..."
"I was shooting a movie, then I took a break and decided to sail my yacht to meet the new family. I'm back now," he stated before she could ask his whereabouts. Then he pointed to the window. "Is Rafe talking to Peter's almost bride?"
"Yeah." With a glance over her shoulder, she saw how Jennifer fawned over Rafe and draped her hands around his shoulders. "She's..." Nothing nice was going to come out of her mouth. She nodded instead. "Yeah, he is."
"So that's the problem." Matthew winked at her. He led her to the patio. "Liz, you and Rafe have something special. She almost married our brother, and I’m told she’s up for the part of my lead actress."
"You’re kidding.”
“Nope.”
“Matthew, Luke already gave me the pep talk. Now I just want to be alone with Rafe so we can talk."
He dragged her arm toward the door as she dragged her feet. "Then don't get insecure on me. We're Morgans."
"Matthew, overconfidence never helped you." Her body felt cold. This was too much.
“I think it has. My next movie deal is netting me twenty million.”
“You have that much in the bank.”
“Yeah, but this money comes from me.”
Matthew flung open the door and pulled Elizabeth with him. He released her and Liz noticed that Jennifer stood further away from Rafe. Jennifer’s face was pale, as if she hadn't liked whatever Rafe had said to her.
Matthew never gave her the opportunity to say anything as he introduced himself to the other woman. "Jennifer, right?"
Her gaze narrowed. "Yeah, who are you?"
"Matthew Marshall Morgan. We met at the party." He acted like he was her savior though he didn't have to look up or see her.
“I hadn’t put two and two together.” Jen stepped away from Rafe and beamed at her brother.
Liz waited, uncertain where to go in the door frame. Her brother held out his hand to shake Jennifer's. "And you're possibly my next co-star, Jennifer Gonzales?"
Her cheeks tinged red as she took her hand away. "Yes. I have a meeting with the producer and my agent tomorrow."
Rafe came beside Liz and whispered, "I made it very clear that there was no chance with me. Ever."
Liz's face flushed. She looked at Jennifer, and saw a perfect dark-haired, brown-eyed woman with curves that made a man want to be near her. Jennifer was picture perfect.
Matthew leaned closer to the actress. "This might be sudden but I was hoping you'd grab dinner with me. I don't know anyone in town except my family."
“Sounds amazing.” Her lips pouted as she gazed at Matthew. Then she crossed her arms to show off her breasts in the sleeveless shirt. "The more I know about the role, the better I can perform."
Rafe took Liz's hand in his. Her heart grew warmer.
Matthew gave Jennifer that stupid wink that always worked for him. "For someone as beautiful as you, you don't trust easy, do you? I promise, I just want to take you to dinner."
Jennifer fell for it. She dropped her hands and shrugged her shoulders. "Fine. I'll go out with you, but you're buying." She then flipped her hair over her shoulder and glided past them inside the house. She turned her head at the last second and nodded. "Bye Rafe."
Rafe kept holding Liz’s hand as they followed them into the living room. Jennifer picked up her bag. Rafe said, "Have a good time."
A few seconds later the front door closed. Neither one of them said anything as they stared at the empty space. She turned toward the dining room. Ashley had worked hard preparing everything. Liz felt sick to her stomach as she realized why his being here mattered so much.
"I thought you loved Jennifer and I was the second choice."
"You are never second choice, Liz."
“I’m not?” She glanced up and saw his lips were parted. She fingered her pendant and tried to smile. "I didn’t know how to act when the truth is..."
He took her hands in his. "You can always talk to me. I’m not going anywhere.”
No. Her heart pattered. "You have a right to love whoever you want."
His thumbs massaged her palms. "Funny you should mention love because…"
“You don’t have to pretend with me.”
“Wait.” He released her hands. "Just listen. I wanted to keep my distance from you. Your family has more money than every person I ever met."
Money was not a reason to stay apart. She pressed her hands on his arms. "So?"
He pivoted and shook his head. "You don't get it. I don't deserve you."
Deserve? Heat coursed in her face. She held up her hand to touch his back. "Wait..."
"Let me finish." He turned and stared at her. His dilated pupils mesmerized her as he said, "You deserve a prince or someone who is your equal. At the end of the day, I'm either a cop or the maid's son. I went to school with your brother so that my mother wouldn't be distracted from her duties, not because we could afford it."
Her instincts sharpened. There was something else. "Rafe, I've been to your condo. You can afford anything you want."
"I can’t afford you." He scooted closer and pressed his hands together.
“There are two things I need to say.”She tapped a finger into her palm. "One, I don't care how much money you have or don't have. You have protected me and our son. None of us would be here, if it wasn't for you. You are my hero."
"That's my job."
His caring didn’t fit the profile of police officer. He was far more. "No, it's part of who you are. And it is your turn to listen."
"Okay. Continue."
She tapped her finger to her palm again. Her face heated and she practically jumped out of her skin. She had to say this but this was too much. Just say what is in my heart. "Two, the reason I was so jealous of Jennifer was because I've fallen in love with you."
Rafe placed his hands around her waist. She curled into him as he said, "You deserve more."
If he loved her, then it was enough. Somehow she had to find a way to get through to him. Her lips tingled, wanting a kiss. He was all she needed.