Rafael (The Santiago Brothers Book One) by K. Victoria Chase Page B

school
when work permitted. Service to her church family and to the
surrounding community was a passion she heartily committed herself
to… in the past. What am I doing here?
    “Genie, wait up!” Genie warmed at the smiling
face of Audrey Hughes, her best friend since middle school. Audrey
worked for the church as their lead volunteer coordinator and both
she and Genie had collaborated together on multiple projects for
the kid’s ministry. Audrey continued to press Genie to return to
volunteer with the kids, but Genie couldn't spare the time. “Well,
you’re not on fire for stepping in a church. Welcome back.”
    Genie cringed at the light accusation.
“Audrey, good to see you too.” Genie rolled her eyes yet embraced
her friend tightly. “It’s been a crazy day; don’t get me
started.”
    “I’m sure.” Audrey flashed a mischievous
grin, but before Genie could ask what her friend meant, Audrey
continued. “I came up front to see you before you walked into
class. I’ll be back in the kids section tonight, so I won’t be able
to see you later on.”
    “It’s good you caught up with me then.” Genie
took hold of her friend’s arm and drew her close. “I’ve so much to
tell you, but first, you’ll never guess who’s back in town.”
    Audrey’s teasing grin was back. “Rafael
Santiago?”
    Genie halted, her eyes wide on her friend.
“How did you know?”
    Audrey rolled her deep blue eyes. “Oh, come
on, Genie. You know his mother attends here. In fact, I overheard
her say, a few moments ago, that he came back into town last
night.”
    A wave of heat crossed Genie’s cheeks.
    “Okay, Eugenia Green. I see that blush on
your cheeks. So you’ve seen him?”
    Genie tried to steady the nervous shiver she
felt at the mention of her red cheeks. She lifted her chin and set
her jaw. “Last night, actually. He showed up at my job. And I’m not
blushing.”
    “Wait, hold up.” Audrey came to stand in
front of Genie. She put a hand up to stop Genie in her tracks. “You
saw him and didn’t think to tell me until now? I thought we were
best friends.” She feigned a look of disappointment with a
pout.
    “That’s not even the best part,” Genie
muttered, walking around her friend.
    “Your sarcasm has baited me. What’s the best
part?” Audrey fell in step with Genie.
    “He’s a consultant on my latest case.”
    “A consultant? I don’t understand…”
    “For the murder investigation I’m working.
Apparently, he’s had experience with something similar out in
California.”
    Audrey’s brows came together. “Experience
how?”
    Genie stopped a short distance away from her
meeting room and faced her friend. “He’s a detective,” she
mumbled.
    Shock registered across Audrey’s face and
then a gleam of humor flashed in her eyes. Before Genie could stop
her, Audrey laughed loudly. “Are you serious?”
    “Yes.”
    Audrey visibly struggled to contain herself.
“You’re kidding me, right? Rafael Santiago?”
    “Hard to believe.”
    “Try impossible! Wasn’t he voted ‘Most Likely
to Get Arrested Again’?”
    “Exactly.” Genie’s lips twisted into a
grimace.
    “Well, how does he look? Is he still
gorgeous?” Audrey’s eyes widened with the hungry anticipation of
juicy details.
    “Yes!” Genie’s head fell back and she moaned.
“Even more so now than when he was a senior in high school.”
    Audrey giggled. “So you must hate your job
now.” Her grin teased Genie. “Here you have an incredibly handsome
man who is both the bad boy and the good cop. I work around kids
all day and my only volunteers are older women. Some girls have all
the luck.” She frowned, but Genie saw good-natured humor in her
eyes.
    “ I’d
hardly call it luck.” Genie huffed, but her cheeks flamed
nonetheless. More like torture , she thought as the image of his dimples came into mind.
Even with glasses, the studious-looking Rafa was
appealing.
    “Who would have thought? Rafa Santiago, a
cop.