SAVANNAH
I woke by the sound of my alarm at six, aware that Rafe’s arm was wrapped around my waist. I was instantly flooded with thoughts that I would meet his family this morning. I wondered about the questions they’d ask me.
Still, it was a good day. I felt good for some reason I couldn’t explain. Whatever the status of my relationship with Rafe, it didn’t change the fact that I love him, so I would be by his side, whether he couldn’t return my feelings or he wasn’t ready to admit it. I’d decided to walk this path instead of overthinking.
It really was a good day.
Determined, I turned to face him to greet him good morning, but he beat me to it.
“Good morning, Savannah.” His eyes twinkled, pausing over my almost bare breasts.
I smiled. “Good morning.”
“Did you sleep well?”
I nodded. The truth was, I was short by two hours, as I usually get six to seven hours of sleep, but I felt fine. My body adapted to the schedule.
“Good.” He kissed my forehead. “If only they weren’t expecting us; I’d rather stay here with you the rest of the day. My parents think I’m a workaholic, so spending more time with you will make them think otherwise.”
I ran my fingers through his soft hair at the base of his neck. “Yes, but we don’t want them to think we’re ignoring them.”
He cupped my cheek. “You’re pretty strict, you know?”
I laughed. “What time is breakfast?”
“Seven.”
“Then we better hurry.”
I attempted to get up, but he yanked me in for a kiss, licking his tongue hungrily into my mouth. When his hand trailed down around my breast, I pulled away.
“No, Rafe. We have to be ready.” I got up and hopped out of bed. “We don’t want round two of last night.”
He laughed, running his thumb on his bottom lip. “Then stop distracting me with this incredible body of yours.”
“It’s not my fault I’m too attractive.” I rested my hands on my waist, grinning.
“Indeed you are.”
I began rummaging for clothes in my suitcase. “Now, what should I wear?”
Rafe crossed to his closet. “Anything you’re comfortable with.”
I picked a pair of khaki shorts, a white blouse, and black underwear. “I’m going to use the bathroom to wash.”
“Go ahead,” he said as he pulled out a pair of jeans.
I swiftly washed my face and brushed my teeth because I smelled like sex. Rafe wasn’t going to complain about how I smelled. But I should at least be presentable in front of his family. I sprayed a refreshingly fruity and sweet body spray. Shortly, I came out and dressed quickly. Rafe was dressed now too, in a plain dark T-shirt and jeans.
“So what should I expect?” I asked as I slipped on my nude sandals.
“My father probably already knows about Reed and your divorce. He knows everything.”
I frowned. “Isn’t that something I should watch out for? I thought he assumed I was not real? Julian’s wife told me last night.”
“Oh, you met Anya?”
I nodded. “She’s pretty and very kind. How old is she? She looks really young.”
“Oh, she’s young. Probably twenty-five.” He shrugged. “I’m not sure. Whatever. Just be yourself. They don’t mind things like those, especially my mother. She’s a doting woman.”
I stilled. “I’m still worried. Your dad hurt your brother.”
He pulled me against him and tucked a lock of my hair underneath my ear. “You have me; whatever happens, my brothers are on our side. But I promise it won’t be that bad. You’ll see.”
I met his eyes. God, he was charming. “I trust you.”
Arriving on the veranda for outdoor breakfast with a view of the stunning beach, Adam and Carter were already there helping the maids arrange the food on the table, the plates, and the utensils. Rafe took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine before approaching the two. They greeted us good morning while ushering us to our respective seats. The table was brimming with loaves of French bread, eggs, potato casserole, bacon, sausages, two types of juices, and sliced fruits.
Shortly, Rafe’s parents, Julian and Anya, joined us. We all stood up.
Rachel, in particular, already had her attention on me. “Oh, my.” She touched her chest. “You must be Savannah,” she said dreamily with sparkling eyes.
“Dad, Mom. This is Savannah Gibson, my girlfriend. Savannah, this is my parents, Benjamin and Rachel,” Rafe introduced.
I gave them the very best smile I could give. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian. It’s a pleasure to formally meet you. Oh, and happy birthday.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. It’s my pleasure, too,” Rachel crooned. And instead of me walking toward Rafe’s mother, she crossed to me and cupped my face. “You are very beautiful. Look, Anya.” She glanced at her daughter-in-law, who was already smiling at us. “It won’t be just the two of us now.” She looked back at me and stared at my face as though I was the prettiest girl she had seen. “Because in this house, the boys rule. Let’s conquer them. I can’t believe you’re real.”
I laughed. “I can’t believe it too.”
Rachel Sebastian was a very beautiful woman too. She had the smallest symmetrical face, like most Hollywood actresses. Her hair was light brown, long, and had the perfect waves. She looked so young, as if she was only in her forties.
“You don’t know how long I’ve waited for Rafe to bring a girl here to introduce to us.” She looked up at her son. “We’re beginning to think he’s gay. He’s already thirty-six, you see.”
Rafe’s lips curled. He looked so proud. “Oh, no, Mom.”
“We have a birthday present for you in our room, but I thought we should give it tonight,” I said.
She beamed. “I wonder what that is. I can’t wait. But seriously, honey. I’m glad you’re here. I’ve heard things about you.”
“I didn’t expect you’ll actually bring her,” Benjamin interjected.
“Oh, Benjamin.” She tsked. “Don’t intimidate them. This is the first time your son ever listened to us,” she reprimanded.
“Hey.” Benjamin raised his hands in surrender. “I don’t mean anything with that, Rache.”
“Dad, I told you guys I would,” Rafe said.
“Well, welcome to my house, Savannah.” He reached a hand to me and squeezed mine.
“Thank you, Mr. Sebastian.” I smiled, despite my slight anxiousness. He looked just like Rafael but older, with silver strands of hair on the top of his ears. But Rafe’s kindness he got from his mother.
“It’s Benjamin,” he corrected. “Have a seat.”
I perched back on my chair again. I sighed inwardly. That turned out well, I guess.
We started putting food on our plates and digging our breakfast.
Julian started talking about the new singer he was training before recording his first single. Anya was the co-producer and songwriter. Carter joined them with a series of questions, asking if they could write for him an OST. Rafe was adding a few opinions.
I could understand a bit, given I was working in their company now, but I had a long way to go. I was relatively new.
“Savannah.” Benjamin interrupted again, putting a forkful of bacon in his mouth. “Tell us about your family.”
I froze. “Um, well.” I swallowed dryly, so I drank a gulp of water before answering. “I have a rather small family. My parents passed away when I was little, but I have a brother about Rafe’s age who raised me.”
“Mm.” He nodded, still chewing. “He must be pretty responsible to raise you by himself. I admire people like that. Is he married?”
I shook my head. “No. He had a fiancee, but I think he’s dating again. He still lives in our house in Clinton Hill. I still go home there occasionally.”
Alright, that wasn’t hard. I ate a small portion of the egg and drank again.
“We aren’t a particularly huge family, too,” Julian joined in. “We have cousins, aunts, and uncles, but they usually only appear on special occasions.”
“Are they coming to the party tonight?” Adam asked. It seemed what happened last night was already sidelined.
“I invited a few,” Rachel answered with her high-pitched voice. “I think they’re about a hundred, excluding my friends.”
A hundred! Wow. Was that what they called few? I continued to munch my meal.
“You didn’t include dad’s guests,” Rafe added, then he leaned to my ear. “You okay?”
“Yes.” I chortled. “This is unexpectedly normal.”
“I only invited sixty people. But the more, the merrier,” Benjamin announced proudly.
“Oh, gosh!” Rachel clapped her hands. “I still need to call off a few people and call the catering to add three kinds of desserts. My cousin, Jacklyn, specifically requested them, which weren’t on the main menu. Anya, darling.” She touched Anya’s arm. “Our dresses should be ready by four. Especially yours. We have to make sure your baby bump is visible. I hate how my friends brag about their grandchildren.” She shook her head and continued with her breakfast but then spoke again. “I suppose yours is soon, Rafe. The earlier, the better.”
I flinched and looked up at them open-mouthed. I almost wanted to choke.
“We’re still new, mother,” Rafe remarked. His hand glided on my knees. “We’re still getting to know each other.”
Rachel looked surprised. “You know, I’m surprised those words came from you, and it’s honorable, really, but opportunities like this don’t often come to you. You were very picky even when you were little, so I’m sure you brought Savannah here because she’s the one you truly like.” She looked at her sons to get reactions, but not one spoke. “What? Am I wrong?”
That made Rafe chuckle. “You’re not wrong. I like her so much that it pains me not to be with her all the time.”
My cheeks reddened. His bold declaration was unexpected.
“And it’s also thanks to me,” Carter added casually. “I hired Savi as my assistant. That gave them a chance to meet every day.”
“Really?” Benjamin spoke this time. “And how is she as your assistant?”
“She’s clever, delivers on time, keen, and a perfectionist. Sometimes, it’s scary how she doesn’t leave her cubicle.” Carter counted my qualities on his fingers. “She fits perfectly in my department.”
“She’s just like Rafe, then,” Anya commented, grinning.
“You’re flattering me, boss,” I said, hiding my face because I was sure I looked as red as a tomato.
“That’s good!” Rachel applauded with excitement. “Anya works with Julian, and Savannah with Carter. We’re getting bigger. It’s good that she knows about our company too.”
“Besides, I think Rafe won’t introduce just anyone to us. Right, bro?” Adam said. “If he thinks Savannah is good for him, then she is good for him.”
“You know me well, Adam,” Rafe agreed.
“Thank you, Adam,” I said, although inside, I wondered what he did that made his dad so angry.
He winked at me. “You’re welcome.”
“Honestly, we’re already thinking about marriage,” I said candidly. I just hope I was doing the right thing. But given that Rafe’s hand gently squeezed mine, it was alright.
Carter’s eyes smiled. “What? Really?”
It was time to come clean. It should come to me. I should face my fears. “After my failed marriage, I had doubts, but after meeting him, my heart opened to possibilities, and I trusted again. It’s still early for us to enter a much deeper relationship, but we do think about it.”
“Oh, dear.” Rachel touched her chest. “I heard about it, but we thought it was a sensitive topic, so we didn’t ask. I’m sorry.”
Rafe was right. They knew, but I wasn’t going to mention it any further. I wasn’t ready.
“It’s okay. I feel like a brand new person now, thanks to Rafe, but as we said, we’re still new, so we’re just letting things pass for now.”
“That’s good, then,” Benjamin said, nodding. “I need my successor to be ready as soon as possible to take over my position, so it’s still decent to look forward to something rather than just expecting nothing. Right, son?”
“Thank you, Dad.”
I gazed up at Rafe. The soft expression on his features gave me assurance that everything was going smoothly.
“May I speak to you after breakfast?” He picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth. “Savannah?”
“Oh.” Crap, that was out of nowhere. “With me?”
“Yes, is there a problem?”
“No, it’s just…”
“Is this necessary?” Rafe questioned icily.
“It’s just friendly talk, Rafael. Nothing to worry about,” Benjamin assured. “So, Savannah, will you?”
Rafe grunted at my side.
But this man was his dad and this man’s words in this family were the rule. “Of course, sir.”
“Great.” He tapped his hands on the table, flashing a smile for the first time while watching his whole family. “It’s a beautiful day, children.”