I hoped that would change if I actually got the nerve to really talk to him, and so far, I was right. Rafe and I were actually hitting it off. So much so, I think Rafe was actually flirting with me, especially when he asked, “So, what is your type?”
I was tempted to tell him to go take a look in the mirror, but unfortunately, I wasn’t brave enough to say anything so forward. “Not sure I really have a type.”
“What about your last boyfriend?” One corner of his mouth lifted into a sexy smirk. “What was he like?”
“He was just an average guy,” I lied. I hadn’t ever really had a boyfriend—not back at home or here in Tennessee. I knew better than to try and date back in San Antonio. If I ever showed the slightest interest in anyone, Kate would make it her mission to claim him before I ever had a shot. It was like that with everything. From toys to friends, Kate simply couldn’t stand the idea of me having something even remotely better than her, so she’d just take it, giving no regard to how it made me feel. After losing one too many friends, I finally gave up and quit trying to have anything of my own. Looking back now, I was starting to think that was a big mistake. I had no idea how to answer Rafe without sounding like a pitiful mess. “Nothing really stands out about him.”
“Probably why it didn’t last.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
He started to reattach the back cover on the cooler, signaling he had finished replacing the part. I was enjoying our conversation and wasn’t ready for it to end, but unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about it. Rafe stood, then pushed the cooler back against the wall. “You mind throwing the breaker so I can see if she’s up and running?”
“Sure.” I rushed around the corner and flipped the breaker. “Did she turn on?”
“Yep!” When I walked back into the bar, Rafe was smiling wide. “Looks like she’s working fine.”
“Great. Gladys will be relieved for sure.”
“I’m sure she will.” Rafe quickly gathered his things and said, “Well, I guess I better get out of here so you can head home.”
“Okay.” Trying my best to hide my disappoint, I told him, “Thanks for coming by here so late and fixing this for us. It was very thoughtful of you.”
“Anything for Gladys.” His green eyes met mine. “Besides, the company was great.”
He gave me a wink, then unlocked the front door and walked out to his bike. While I was sad Rafe was leaving, I’d had a wonderful time hanging out with him, and it was impossible not to smile as I rushed to the back to grab my things. I wanted to stop for a moment, go over our entire conversation in my head, but I didn’t have time. It was late, and with my car being stuck at the shop, I’d have to run down a cab. That wouldn’t be easy. Most of the bars and restaurants in the area had already closed or were about to, so cabs would be sparse.
After I grabbed my bag, I checked the back doors to make sure they were locked, then turned out the lights and headed out front. I’d just stepped out the front door when I spotted Rafe sitting on his motorcycle right outside the bar. “Hey, I thought you’d already gone.”
“Didn’t want to leave until I knew you’d made it back to your car okay.” He glanced around the empty parking lot as he asked, “Where is it anyway?”
“It’s in the shop.” I quickly locked the door, then shoved the keys into my pocket. As I walked over to him, my heart was beating so hard I feared he might hear it. “I’ve gotta grab a cab.”
“I’ll take you home.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” I suddenly became very nervous. It was one thing to talk to him while he worked on the cooler but having him take me home was something else altogether. I quickly looked around at the empty streets, hoping to catch sight of a cab, but there were none to be found. “I can—”
“I’m taking you home, Marlowe.” Rafe’s tone was short and demanding, leaving little room for argument. He reached into his saddlebag and grabbed a spare helmet, then offered it to me. “You’ll need this.”
I stood there for a moment, wondering if I should insist on getting a cab, but I could tell by the determined look in Rafe’s eyes, I’d just be wasting my breath. I took the helmet, and once I had it on, I climbed on behind him. As he started the engine, he turned to me and asked, “Where to?”
“I live over at the Oakfield Apartments on West Central.”