Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 58952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
She stared at him in surprise, not sure what to make of that. “Why?” she asked, needing more clarification.
He glanced in her direction, and even though his eyes were shielded, she could feel the sudden intensity of his gaze. “I like that you’re down-to-earth and unpretentious and real… because it makes it easy for me to just be myself around you.”
Holy shit. The statement was so profound, so revealing of who Chase really was, that she didn’t know what to say in response.
He returned his attention to the road in front of them. “So, how about we go with something simple as far as how we met, like we were introduced by a mutual friend or acquaintance, which is partially true.”
She had no idea who he was referring to. “Like whom?”
He grinned at her, and that relaxed and easy gesture made butterflies swirl in her stomach. “We both have Billie in common, and considering she really is the reason why we’re in this together, let’s go with that.”
It made sense. She knew Billie because of the connection to Future Fast Track, and Billie was Chase’s sibling. She could have easily introduced the two of them at some point. “Okay, that works.”
The navigation system in Chase’s car directed him to make a right at the next light, indicating that they were only minutes away from her parents’ house. She’d promised her mother that she’d go to their place first so they could meet Chase and they’d stay for dinner, before they headed to their room at the bed-and-breakfast in town.
Chase cleared his throat, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel. “By the way, are your sister and Greg going to be at your parents’ tonight for dinner, too?”
“No,” she said, absently smoothing a hand down the skirt of the casual dress she’d worn. “My mom said that Ashley and her bridesmaids are at the wedding venue, doing some last-minute decorating for the ceremony and reception tomorrow evening.” Honestly, even if that was just an excuse, Lauren was grateful and relieved, because she selfishly wanted tonight to be stress-free with Chase. Or as much as it could be, considering she knew her family would undoubtedly grill him with questions. “You’ll meet them at the wedding tomorrow night.”
They drove down a tree-lined street, and then they finally arrived at the house she’d grown up in, with a light blue exterior and a wraparound porch complete with a swing. Pansies, violas, and asters bloomed around the structure and a brick-inlaid walkway led up to the front steps.
As much as Lauren loved living in the city, she couldn’t deny the nostalgia she experienced whenever she visited home.
Just as Chase parked the car at the curb and turned off the engine, her mother came out of the house, wearing the floral-patterned apron that Lauren had bought her for Christmas since she’d probably been preparing dinner. Her mom was followed by Lauren’s dad, then Gramps, and she knew the welcome committee wasn’t for her, but for the “new man in her life” they all were eager to meet.
“Looks like it’s showtime,” she said, glancing at Chase with a grin. “Are you ready?”
He took off his sunglasses and tucked them into the middle console, his own smile more reserved. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.”
* * *
Chase secretly loved watching the enthusiastic way Lauren greeted her parents. How she ran up the walkway with abandon, hair flying out behind her and squealing in excitement as she embraced them all in a hug, while he made his way to the house at a more leisurely pace, to give her family time to welcome Lauren back home. The trio looked just as happy to see her, too, and it was hard not to envy their close-knit relationship.
As soon as he stepped up onto the porch to join them, Lauren grabbed his hand and pulled him forward, making him the center of attention as all eyes turned to him. He wasn’t in the habit of formally meeting a woman’s parents and he had to resist the urge to shift awkwardly on his feet, which was an anomaly for him. As a businessman in the corporate world, he was always confident and self-assured, but there was something about making a good impression on Lauren’s family that had him feeling surprisingly anxious.
“Chase, meet my mom, Penny, my dad, Dale, and my gramps, Lee,” she said in way of introduction. “Everyone, this is Chase Gossard.”
He noticed Lauren didn’t put a label on their relationship which, he was grateful for, but the way her mother’s eyes lit up right before she pulled him into a quick, warm embrace told Chase that Penny had already put him into the boyfriend category. Or maybe even something more serious.
Penny didn’t hug him long, and when she stepped back she was beaming with delight. “Welcome to our home, Chase. We’re so happy to finally meet you,” she said, putting him completely at ease.