Page 29 of Just A Little Chase

“I was,” she said, taking a seat in the chair next to his. “I walked Ashley out front from the backyard’s side gate, so it was easier to come in the front door. What are you two up to?” She glanced from Chase to Betsy sitting across the table, hoping that the older woman was behaving herself.

Betsy beamed at her. “I was just regaling Chase with stories of your acting debut in high school as Wendy Darling in Lost Girls. You were superb!”

Lauren refrained from rolling her eyes at the other woman’s praise. Superb was definitely overselling Lauren as an actress, even if it had been a high school play.

The corner of Chase’s mouth quirked up in amusement as he finished his cookie. “You didn’t tell me you were a theater geek.”

She shrugged. “I wasn’t. Not really.” She arched a playful brow his way. “If you haven’t noticed, there aren’t a lot of things for kids to do around here, which was why I took drama class my senior year.”

“You were a very good actress,” Betsy insisted. “And singer, too. Remember that karaoke contest you won at Jake’s Pizzeria?”

Lauren groaned at the memory, feeling her cheeks warm in embarrassment. She’d just turned twenty-one, and after one too many cocktails she’d had enough liquid courage running through her veins to accept her friend’s dare to sing “Baby One More Time”. Yes, she’d commandeered the stage, complete with a bump and grind routine that had the crowd, and the boys, hooting and hollering and egging her on.

“Not really my finer moment,” she said, ducking her head. “I was pretty toasted and way too uninhibited.”

“I would have paid money to see that,” Chase said, chuckling. “Look at you, so full of all these secret, hidden talents.”

He was teasing her, of course, but his comment made Lauren think about what her sister had said to her. About how everything had come so easily for Lauren. She’d never thought of things that way before, or how inadequate her sister must have felt, even if it had been misplaced. It was crazy to her that they’d each had their own insecurities when it came to the other.

Betsy stood up. “Well, it’s been nice chatting with you two, but I’ve got to head to the market and pick up a few things,” she announced. “Would you like a lemonade or iced tea before I go, Lauren?”

She smiled at the other woman. “Iced tea would be great.”

Betsy went into the adjoining kitchen and moments later, returned with a drink for Lauren, and then she was out the door, leaving her and Chase alone.

She took a sip of her sweetened tea and glanced at him, unable to miss how mellow he seemed to be, which she was grateful for. She wasn’t sure what to expect after their earlier discussion about his turbulent past, then his pensive walk. She’d anticipated the possibility that he’d have erected those emotional walls again by the time he returned to the inn, or be in a more somber mood, but that wasn’t the case.

“How did things go with your sister?” he asked as he absently wiped away the condensation on his glass with his long fingers. “Good, I hope?”

She nodded, then told him about her conversation with Ashley, about her sister’s genuine apology, and how things really had gone down with Greg and their affair, and everything else they’d discussed. He listened intently, asked a few questions, and by the time she was done he had a gentle smile on his lips.

“I’m really glad you two made up and Ashley was honest about everything,” he said, his voice low. “I’m sure your parents will be relieved and very happy to see you and your sister talking again, too.”

“I know they will. The situation hasn’t been easy on them, and I know they’ve been so conflicted and worried that Ashley and I would never repair our relationship.” She took a drink of her tea before meeting his gaze and continuing. “They’re going to the church a little early, since my dad is walking Ashley down the aisle, so I’m sure Ashley will tell them both about our talk today as soon as she sees them. For my parents, that will be the best gift ever, knowing that their daughters are back on speaking terms and no longer avoiding one another when they’re in the same room.”

“And what about Greg?” he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly and his voice turning gruff. “Are you going to be okay being in the same room with him?”

“Yes, of course,” she said, surprised by that protective vibe Chase was giving off. “He’ll be family after today, and I don’t begrudge them their happiness.”

“You’re incredibly kind and empathetic,” he murmured, lifting his hand and caressing the tips of his fingers along her cheek in a soft caress. “It’s impressive, because those are qualities I haven’t seen much of in my life.”

The admission made her chest tighten with sadness for this damaged, broken man and everything he’d endured. “Being kind and empathetic isn’t that hard. It’s all about being able to forgive people for the mistakes they’ve made, and I have.”

She couldn’t deny that the comment was also directed at him, at his situation with his father and all that resentment and bitterness she knew he still held on to over his childhood. Not to mention keeping Billie a secret to the very end of his life then dropping it on Chase like a bombshell. One conversation with her wasn’t going to diminish those feelings, but she really hoped that Chase opened himself up to the possibility of forgiving his father, and letting go of things that were no longer in his control to change.

But that wasn’t a discussion she wanted to have right now, not when she only had a short time left with him. And now that the uncomfortable tension between her and sister was gone, she was actually looking forward to the evening’s festivities, and having fun at the reception with Chase.

She glanced at the time on her cellphone, realizing it was later than she’d thought. “I think we need to head upstairs to shower and get ready for the wedding,” she suggested.

He nodded his agreement, and they went up to their room.

She opened her suitcase and sorted through her things, casting Chase a glance and giving him a playful grin. “I’d suggest taking a shower together to conserve water, but we saw how well that went this morning,” she teased. “It took twice as long and we ran out of hot water. Not that I’m complaining, but time is of the essence this afternoon.”

His eyes darkened with desire, as if remembering their sexcapades and all the dirty things he’d done to her with his mouth and his hands and his impressive cock. “As much as I hate to admit it, you’re right,” he said huskily, his voice tinged with regret. “We don’t have an extra hour to mess around.”

She silently mourned the loss of that hour of pleasure she was giving up, but the last thing she wanted to do was walk in late to her sister’s wedding ceremony. Although wouldn’t that stir up some juicy gossip in town, she thought with an inward grin.

Chase narrowed his gaze at her. “What are you smirking about?”

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