Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
She nodded like we were on the same page. “Just don’t let him fool you. He walks around like he’s wearing a coat of armor, but the truth is, there’re some chinks in that protective shield.”
“Maybe that’s why we get along so well. My armor has some pretty big bullet holes. But thank you. I’ll try to remember mine are just more noticeable than his.”
Chase walked in behind Evan, who was wheeling a plastic baby carrier. In the center of the translucent tray lay a tiny bundle swaddled in blue hospital blankets.
“Didn’t even have to look at him to know which one was yours,” Chase teased his sister. “He was screaming so loud. Kid’s got your lungs already.”
Her husband gently lifted the baby and placed him in Anna’s arms. She cooed to him and then lifted him up so we could see his sweet little face.
“This is your Uncle Chase. I hope you got your brains from him, but your looks from me.”
Chase leaned closer. “Considering you look just like me, that’s a smart wish.”
Anna rocked the baby in her arms when he started to fuss. “Have you talked to Mom and Dad yet? I told Evan not to call since it was so late.”
“I haven’t. But they wouldn’t have been able to get a flight up from Florida until this morning anyway.”
We stayed with Anna and Evan another half hour until Anna yawned. She must have been exhausted after being in labor all night. Hell, I was exhausted just from napping in the waiting room.
Traffic was light in the city as we pulled out of the lot around the corner from the hospital. “Your place or mine?”
“That’s presumptuous of you,” I teased.
“You make me keep my distance at the office during the week. It’s Saturday. I figure the weekend is mine.”
I thought back to what had transpired yesterday, what we were almost caught doing. “You didn’t seem to be keeping your distance yesterday when you had me pinned down face-first on your desk.”
He groaned and adjusted himself in his seat. “Your place. It’s closer. And now that you just reminded me of how spectacular your ass looked raised in the air, that’s the way I’m going to take you the first time when we get home.”
It was just a figure of speech, I knew, but I loved the sound of Chase saying when we get home.
Although, what I loved even more was what he did when we arrived at my place. Taking the keys from my hand, he unlocked my bevy of locks on the front door and walked inside first. He then completed my ritualistic entry sweep. Twice. In my exact neurotic order, all while holding Tallulah.
After he finished, he kissed my forehead. “Good?”
Nodding, I pushed up on my toes and kissed him on the lips. “Thank you.”
“Anytime. By the way, I called the guy who did the security at the office. They’re going to install a monitoring system here. I’ve referred a lot of business his way. He owed me a favor, so he’s doing the install free, and the monthly cost will be absorbed into the office bill.”
“What? No.”
“Too late—it’s being installed next week. He’s going to get back to me with which day he can get here. I’ll need a key to let them in, or you’ll need to be here.”
“Chase, I don’t need an alarm.”
“You’re right, you don’t. But it will make me feel better, especially when I’m traveling and out of town.”
“But…”
He lowered his head and silenced me by pressing his lips to mine. “Please. Let me do this. It will make me feel better.”
I huffed and stared at him. Eventually, I gave. “Fine.”
“Thank you.”
I dug my extra set of keys out of a drawer for him, told him to relax, and went into the kitchen to make us some omelets for breakfast. We ate in the living room in front of the TV, watching Good Morning America, and then snuggled on the couch, him lying behind me. Although we’d slept for a little while at the hospital, both of us had been sitting up in chairs, which wasn’t productive sleep at all.
I yawned. “Your sister seems great.”
“She’s a pain in the ass. But she’s good people.”
He took a deep breath in and out, and I felt his breathing begin to slow. After only a few minutes, I thought he might have fallen asleep, but then he spoke, his voice groggy. “She’s going to make a good mom. So will you someday.”
Chapter 25
Chase – Seven years ago
I couldn’t smile at another person.
“Thank you for coming.” I shook another faceless hand. Next.
“Yes. She was a beautiful woman.” Next.
“I’ll be okay. Thank you.” Next.
It just needed to be over.
I was supposed to ride with Peyton’s mother and her sisters from the funeral service over to the cemetery, but when the back door of the limousine closed, my lungs suddenly felt deprived of air. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t fucking breathe. My chest burned, and I knew I was two seconds away from gasping for air. Flinging the door back open, I gulped fresh breaths before excusing myself with a lie that I needed to escort my parents.