Page 26 of Endlessly Raphael
“Maybe just keep your heart open. There has to be a reason you’re drawn to help Haven. More than just a good deed.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll keep my heart open, but Haven feels the same. The last thing he wants is a serious relationship. Why do you think he went out looking for some stranger to marry?”
Eros nods, searching my eyes. “Fair enough. Are we invited to the wedding?”
I laugh at that. “I have no idea what we’re doing but I’ll keep you all posted.”
“You better.”
“I should get back to Haven.”
“Okay.”
I watch Eros walk away for a second before calling out to him. “Eros?”
He twists around. “Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
He smiles, winking at me.
As I walk back to my unit, his words replay in my mind. My reaction to Thorn was a little out of character. Okay, a lot. But maybe I was just being protective of someone who doesn’t deserve crass talk about him. That must be it.
At this point, I refuse to think it might be anything else.
TEN
Haven
When Raphael returns, he seems tense. I automatically brace myself for him to tell me he’s changed his mind. Maybe his family talked him out of helping me? There’s no way I’m giving up easily though, so I hope he’s ready for that.
“Hey,” he says, approaching me.
“Hi. Everything okay?”
“Yep. You good?”
I nod. “I made a couple of calls. We can just go to the courthouse and do it JOP style.”
“JOP?”
“Justice of the peace. Have a judge marry us. All we need is ID and to pay for the marriage license.”
“Fine. Would you like to have anything…” He waves his hand. “I don’t know. Celebratory?”
“Oh. I don’t think that’s necess—” The theme song to Psycho pierces the air and I glare at my phone. Fuck. It’s my father. I try to ignore it but seconds later it rings again.
“Who is that?”
“Father,” I grumble, staring at the screen. “I told the lawyer I would notify people, but I’m guessing that didn’t happen.”
“I can answer it.”
Blowing out a breath, I shake my head. “I need to handle this anyway.” I straighten my shoulders and press the answer button. “Hello.”
“Haven,” my father says, his tone cool. “I understand you have an update.”
I roll my eyes. “I told the attorney I would update the family later.”