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"Yep I believe you now"

He groaned "Right So What I didn’t say, but wanted to, is that I think we should be together For real" He looked ot a little lump in my throat

"For real," I echoed stupidly "You mean…?" I couldn’t finish the sentence, because I was afraid of what he meant Rafe wanted to be my… boyfriend? I’d never had one of those

He curled his arive me a squeeze, and dropped ood way, Bella We’d be great together"

They were lovely words, but I was already panicking The fact that Rafe wanted irlfriend was tricky to process No sane man would want a relationship withwhat to say

"Belleza, you don’t look as excited about this idea as I am"

"But…" I was still at a loss "Why does it have to be some kind of pact? We’re already friends Who have a hell of a lot of cheed

"Because that’s when it all goes to hell! Everybody gets big expectations the the other person can’t live up to Then they get sick of each other and break up"

He tipped his handso "That’s obscenely pessiether You told me so yourself"

"For now," I pointed out "AndWho knohere I’d be next year? Probably at a graduate school sohed at me from the back corner of my desk

Rafe eased away fro list of objections I could keep arguing with you Except I don’t think you want ue at all That’s my point We could just have sex and skip all the philosophizing My way is easier"

"No," he said quietly "It’s not Because suppose you and I fool around right now…"