My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 502

Chapter 502

“We’re friends,” I repeated firmly.

Claire kept looking at Raphael. Something flashed across his face. It was gone so quickly I almost missed it. Finally, he spoke, “Yes.”

Claire perked up immediately, “Yes?”

Raphael’s jaw flexed, “We are friends.”

The words sounded strangely forced coming from him like each one weighed ten pounds. I stared at him. That was odd.

Very odd.

Because Raphael usually answered questions immediately, confidently, and logically without hesitation. Now he looked like he’d just signed paperwork he didn’t agree with.

Claire grinned, “Friends.”

Then he nodded once, “Yes.”

The answer came out flat and somehow completely unconvincing.

I frowned. Why was this so difficult? It wasn’t like Claire had accused him of being secretly in love with me.

The thought barely registered before I dismissed it.

That wasn’t even possible. Raphael wasn’t like that. He’d told me himself that he’d never love anyone.

Half the time he couldn’t even explain what he was feeling.

Love wasn’t what was happening here. Friendship made sense. Comfort made sense. Trust made sense. Everything else was just Claire being Claire.

Claire suddenly sighed dramatically, “Fine.”

I immediately relaxed, “Thank you.”

She pointed at me, “I don’t believe you,” then she pointed at Raphael, “And I definitely don’t believe him.”

Raphael closed his eyes for a brief second.

I groaned, “Claire.”

“Nope.”

“Claire.”

Claire snorted and crossed her arms tighter over her chest “Relax. I’m choosing to accept your highly questionable explanation. I’ll respect the whole ‘we’re just friends’ story.”

The way she said friends made it sound like she didn’t believe a single word coming out of my mouth.

“Because that’s what we are,” I said.

I stared at her. She stared right back with the most innocent expression I’d ever seen on her face. It was completely fake.

Then she smiled, “I’m giving you both time. Whatever this is, you can figure it out yourselves. And when you eventually realize I’m right, you’ll come find me and tell me absolutely everything.”

I covered my face with both hands, “Oh God. Please don’t tell Vincenzo,” I said through my fingers.

“They are when they’re coming from me.”

Then she started backing away down the hallway, “Goodnight, you two.”

I immediately narrowed my eyes, “Claire.”

“Yes?”

“We’re friends.”

She smiled far too innocently, “Of course you are.”

“Claire.”

“Absolutely. Best friends.”

My face heated instantly.

Claire’s grin became impossible to deal with, “Sleep well, lovebirds.”

Then she disappeared around the corner before I could find something heavy enough to throw at her.

I let out a laugh and shook my head, “She’s completely insane.”

The words died halfway out of my mouth. Raphael wasn’t laughing. He wasn’t even looking in the direction Claire had gone. He was staring at the floor, his jaw tight enough to crack teeth. A deep frown pulled between his eyebrows.