LITTLE SECRET | RAFE CAMERON

50: 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦

Alice could clearly feel his thumb brushing against the skin of her hand as they walked hand in hand through the small boardwalk town that was close to the Outer Banks but had much more to offer.

And Alice still had no idea what they were looking for.

She averted her eyes from the many people around her and looked at Rafe instead. „okay, can you please tell me why we're here?"

„To spend time together." He replied dryly. „or isn't that what you wanted?"

„It is" She nodded with a laugh, took a brief glance at other couples who were walking past them. „but it's just so...new to be so open about the thing between us"

Rafe let his hand slip from hers and instead wrapped it around her shoulder and pulled her closer to his side. „you're worrying to much"

Sighing, she put her arm around his back and let him guide her. But Alice couldn't help but let her thoughts drift into the dimension of infinity, because this side of Rafe was definitely new.

The spontaneous trip.

Holding hands.

Presenting that she belonged to him.

Now that Sarah had revealed their secret and there was no one left to hide from, the Rafe who had kept his love for her behind closed doors became the Rafe who seemed so strangely open about it.

Was it really just about his love for her?

Maybe she actually worried too much, but she remembered too well how her relationship with JJ began to crumble when everyone around her found out about it.

„Did you notice the people in the restaurant earlier?"

Rafe frowned in confusion. „what about them?"

„I dunno, I just..." Alice nipped on her bottom lip thoughtfully. „...I just felt like everyone was staring"

Before they set off into town, they had made a quick detour to Alice's favorite breakfast place. Rafe had promised her breakfast and that's what she got, but the cozy breakfast under a sunny sky quickly turned really strange. There had been Kooks their age sitting around them - familiar faces - and Alice couldn't help but feel like they were way too fazed about seeing them together.

It was almost as if all those eyes had been burning pins stabbing into her back.

„Probably cause they're surprised that you finally upgraded from that Pogue idiot" Rafe shrugged carelessly.

Alice rolled her eyes and let out an annoyed huff, pushing the strap of her shoulder bag back in place. „will you ever stop the Kooks vs. Pogues bullshit?"

„As long as JJ is still alive, no."

„How come I know absolutely nothing about one of your ex-girlfriends?" She wondered for the first time, trying to think of one, but there was nothing.

No name. No face.

„Cause' I've never really been a relationship type of guy" Rafe replied and caused her admonishing gaze to wander up to him.

Saying something like that next to his own girlfriend wasn't exactly beneficial.

He quickly returned her gaze. „until you came, of course"

Alice rolled her eyes and looked away from him again, simply accepting his statement. She hoped - but also believed - that he really meant what he said. She really didn't need another guy who was just a waste of her precious time.

For a while they continued walking down the street, past numerous shops and cozy cafes, until Rafe suddenly stopped right in his tracks.

„What are you-„ She frowned at him.

„I have a surprise for you"

„A sur-„ Her brow only furrowed deeper as she looked at the window of the store he had stopped in front of. „you wanna play bride for a day or what?"

She looked at the mannequins' two magnificent white dresses with lots of tulle and precise stitching, more reminiscent of a wedding than a princess.

Rafe took her by the hand and walked up the two small steps to the door. „stop your stupid teasing, Blakely"

She followed him in with a little giggle, entering a literal paradise. It smelled of woody parquet floors and a hint of fresh flowers - roses or tulips or even both - the walls were decorated with a reddish hue mixed with dark wooden grooves. At the reception - which blocked the direct path to the many clothes but still allowed a tiny view - there was a middle-aged lady with her ashy blonde hair pinned up to a neat bun.

„Oh, you must be Rafe Cameron, am I right?" She smiled at Rafe when she finally noticed the young couple in the doorway.

„Yes, very pleased to meet you" He shook hands with the lady behind the reception, who then quickly picked up a pink clipboard.

Alice poked Rafe in the side and caught his attention, exchanging a questioning look with him, but he just grinned back at her.

The blonde lady leafed through the pages on the clipboard. „and then you must be the lovely girlfriend Miss Blakely, I suppose"

„Uhm-„ Alice stammered, but nodded quickly and shook her hand as well. „but please, call me Alice"

„Great, Rafe and Alice." She grabbed one of the many papers and came around the counter. „I'm Charlotte and I'm really happy to help you today, so please follow me"

Charlotte led the way, past the reception and across the long red carpet that led directly between the many rows of various dresses and suits.

Confused to the core, Alice tugged at Rafe's shirt and made him look at her. „what are we doing here?" She hissed in a whisper.

„You'll see" He laughed and put his hand on her lower back, guiding her.

„So we have a variety of dresses. Elegant, classic, a little more eye-catching or completely over the top" Charlotte explained, walking backwards to face them and throwing a grin at them. „or are we looking for a wedding dress?"

Rafe - who luckily for Alice did the talking - laughed and shook his head. „no, not yet."

„Well, then it's best to leave the talking to the young lady, huh?"

„I..." Alice looked between the lady, who was nameless until a few minutes ago and her boyfriend, who simply brought her here without any explanation. „...I'm sorry but I have no idea what we're-what I'm doing here"

„Choosing a Summernights dress" Rafe said.

„Summernights?"

„Yes, Summernights."

„You're taking me to Summernights?"

„Surprise" Rafe grinned and suddenly the picture of the entire day - his sudden call, him picking her up, the breakfast and the town trip - came together perfectly. A wide smile grew on Alice's face, filling her dark brown eyes with light. Her rosy cheeks drew smile lines around her mouth that made Rafe smile himself.

„Young love, so sweet" Charlotte sighed and put her hand to her heart. „but you can smooch him later, dresses are waiting for you, darling" She sang in a warble, grabbing Alice's hand.

The cheerful lady led Alice to the dresses, which now took on a whole new meaning.