As you sat in your date’s car, listening to him drone on and on about his car, and how lucky you were to be getting a ride in it, you cursed your boss. You needed to stop listening to people when they gave you advice for how to get over Rafe. And you definitely needed to stop letting people set you up. You’d always hated dating, even before Rafe. Having the same awkward conversation over and over while trying to decide if this was a person you wanted to see again, was exhausting.

You’d never had to go through that with Rafe. The two of you had grown up next door to each other. He’d been best friends with your brother Topper, so he’d always been there. When the two of you had shared your first kiss, you’d fallen right into a relationship. And it had been so easy at first, the history the two of you had as friends had built a strong foundation for a romantic relationship. Until it all fell apart. Rafe hated you now, you hated him. Your friendship, your love had gone up in flames.

Everyone in your life worried that you weren’t moving on, that you weren’t dealing with your feelings. None of them believed you and Rafe really hated each other, despite how spectacularly things had ended. And so you’d ended up here tonight, sitting in this guy’s sports car, already thinking of how you could end the date. His name was Todd, dull and rich sounding. His phone had been blowing up nonstop since you’d gotten into his car, and you were starting to wonder if your boss had bothered to vet the guy. Something seemed shady about him. He pulls up to your destination and your heart drops. The yacht club. Rafe’s favourite spot to grab drinks after work.

“Pretty nice, huh? I got us the best seat in the place” the guy brags beside you as you exit the car. You’re not paying attention to his words. You’re lost in too many memories of nights spent here, drinking and talking with Rafe. And now you were potentially going to see him again, all while this idiot was by your side. You grimace as Todd gives your name to the hostess, his voice was grating on your nerves. He placed his hand against the small of your back as you followed the hostess to your table and you had to swallow down the urge to slap his hand away. You sit down at the table, absentmindedly looking at your menu. His phone is still vibrating like crazy.

“You can answer that, I don’t mind” you say, hoping he does answer so you’ll have a break. But he waves that idea away, and you’re stuck listening to him talk about his yacht, because of course he has one. The hair on the back of your neck stands up, and you know, Rafe is there. Even when you can’t see him, you feel him. In this moment, you’d gladly deal with Rafe’s anger at you. At least it was real, it made you feel something.

Rafe is momentarily shocked to see you there, and on a date. More shocked when he recognizes the guy. He’s torn between wanting to hurt you like he’s still hurting, or save you from Todd. Because as much as he may despise you now, the part of him that had spent most of his life loving you, wanted to protect you. He accepts his glass of bourbon from the bartender and walks over to your table. He can see the way your eyes briefly light up when you see him, before that fades as you remember the way things were now.

“Todd, how’s the wife?” He asks. His voice is friendly, but tinged with judgement. This douchebag needed to be brought down to size. He smirks as Todd splutters and tries to explain to you.

“I..uh look. We recently decided to uh, try an open relationship. I swear”

Rafe snorts, amused by the way you’re now glaring openly at Todd. He knows that look, knows you’re ready to explode and he can’t wait to see it.