Page 44 of Endlessly Raphael

Both women frown as they exchange glances.

“What? You didn’t know it’s not real?”

“We knew,” Viper says. “We just think it’s kind of sad. It’s the first marriage for both of you, regardless of the circumstances. It should still be special. Someday you can look back on it and have good feelings about it.”

Her comments put more than one chink in my armor. “Yeah. Okay. That sounds nice. I mean, if you want that too, Rapha.”

“It does sound nice,” Rapha says.

“We’ll take care of everything,” Vivienne says, her face lighting up again. “We just need to know when.”

I shrug, setting down my coffee mug. “I figured we’d just swing into the courthouse sometime this week and get it done.”

Viper opens up a black notebook, dragging her pen down the page. “How about Wednesday? That gives us a few days to pull some stuff together.”

“Where do you plan to host this event?” Rapha asks, grinning as he draws circles on my back with his fingertips.

“Here,” Vivienne says.

“Or Lair. If we can get the vam—” Viper stops abruptly, smiling weirdly. “If the space is available.”

Um, okay. “What is Lair?” I ask.

“A nightclub,” Rapha answers. “We don’t own it, per se, but we have some influence there. Wednesdays do tend to be a slow night.”

“Right,” Viper says. “I’ll ask Hale and Tiago.”

“Perfect,” Rapha says. “If that’s all…”

Vivienne snorts a laugh, tossing her hair off her shoulder. “So polite. Come on, Viper. We have a party to plan.”

The two women leave, chatting happily. Once they’re gone, I finish off the French toast and guzzle the orange juice.

“So good. Where did you get it?”

“A restaurant not far from here.”

“That was quick.”

“I went to pick it up.”

“Thank you.” I pat my belly. “I’m good until dinner.”

Rapha smiles as his eyes roam my face. “I like making you happy.”

I nod, suddenly shy. “New subject. Does every stunningly gorgeous person in New Onyx belong to your family?”

Rapha chuckles. “I’m not sure.”

“I mean, you’re like a work or art. Those two women were gorgeous. Your brothers are fire. Is it something in the water in this building? ’Cause if so, pour me a glass.”

“You don’t need any help in that department.”

“Hmm, we do look pretty good together, don’t we? We match.”

“Match?”

“Yeah. Haven’t you ever seen couples who don’t match? One is lightyears hotter than the other one? Not that love should be based on looks, but I always wonder how they even met. Birds of a feather, and all.”