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"Dios," Rafe said under his breath A small missile hurtled into his knees When I looked down, I saw a toddler-sized person with gorgeous brown skin and curly black hair Rafe leaned over and scooped the child off the floor

"Wafe," it said

"Hey, Gael," Rafe said "Where is yourto pay"

"No sé," the child said

Rafe carried hiister was "Sorry for the wait," he said to the couple as first in line "Did you need to check out?"

The couple handed him their check and a credit card, and Rafe handled the transaction, while his very small relative poked hi one little ar the kid farther back onto his hip "Your hands are sticky, little et into the dulce de leche?"

Rafe cashed out three couples before he was even able towoh heels to the front of the restaurant "Rafael!" she cried "Lo siento I got caught up helping untangle a delivery order" She grabbed the child out of his arms

"His hands are sticky," Rafe warned He skirted the woht, señor" She grinned I saw her eyes flick towardto introduce me?"

"Cara, this is Bella, who has not had dinner yet Bella, this isthat two top before souided me towards a little table by the

I sat down, but then Rafe made an irritated noise "Ay, the table" He disappeared for awith a cloth to wipe it off Then he put two rolls of silverware down before finally collapsing into the seat across froreed But privately, I was soaking it all in Thein the restaurant had a sexy Latin beat Tipico had a relaxed, neighborly vibe that was a hell of a lot less stressful than the other place we’d been tonight

And watching Rafe step behind the counter of his fae effect on me He’d looked so co to use his Harkness degree to e for restaurant customers But he already had a place in the world where he knew exactly what he was doing Where he fit in Where he was needed I’d never had that And with each passing ly likely that I never would

A teenage girl bounced over to our table and let out a little squeal "Rafael! What are you doing sitting in my section?"

"Florecita, what do people usually hen they sit in your section? We’re hungry"