Page 41 of Just A Little Chase

Biting her bottom lip, Lauren lifted the lid and peeled back the tissue paper, gasping as she pulled out a cocktail dress in a gorgeous shade of dark pink. It was a simple silhouette with a sweeping neckline, a cinched waist, and a fluted skirt, but what made the dress so stunning was the small, crystal flower embellishments embroidered into the fabric. Clearly, Chase already knew her tastes. Also inside the box was a silver clutch and matching strappy heels.

“Holy shit,” Tara breathed in awe. “He’s pulling out all the stops. Your guy is not messing around, because a dress like that had to have set him back at least five grand, if not more.”

Lauren winced at the amount, because she was certain Tara was right and damn, that was a lot of money. But she also realized how much time and effort all this planning had taken for this grand gesture and apology, all to make her feel special.

She spent the rest of the afternoon with Tara, feeling like Cinderella getting ready for the ball. After soaking in a fragrant bath, Tara helped her with her makeup and curling her hair, then zipping up the dress when it was almost time to go.

When the outfit was complete with the shoes and purse, Tara beamed at her, and Lauren smiled back, feeling like a princess, which wasn’t something she’d ever thought of herself, at least not before Chase.

“Ahhh, now there’s the Lauren I know and love,” Tara said, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze. “The one with the vibrant sparkle in her eyes and the glow on her face, radiating happiness. Now go and get your man.”

She planned to.

The driver arrived, and while the elaborate flowers and the over-the-top designer dress were wonderful, none of those things mattered to Lauren. The only thing that was important to her was Chase truly opening himself up to the possibility of falling in love with her. It was all she wanted, and she hoped that tonight was just the beginning for them.

She had no idea where she was going, but had another jaw-dropping moment as the car pulled up to the valet for Elysian Heights. An attendant opened her door and helped her out, and she walked into the exclusive restaurant, which was surprisingly… not busy and fairly quiet for a Saturday evening, except for the faint sound of classical music playing in the background.

Frowning in confusion, she stepped up to the woman standing behind the hostess stand, who smiled at her.

“I assume you’re here for Chase Gossard?” she asked, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

Lauren nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“He’s waiting for you in the dining area. Right this way.”

She followed the woman to a set of double mahogany doors, which she opened, revealing a room with just one table in the middle, and Chase standing beside it in a tailored suit, the entire restaurant empty of any other guests.

She gaped in shock, wondering how in the world Chase had managed such a feat, and how he’d known about her secret desire to eat at Elysian Heights.

“Enjoy your evening, Ms. Connelly,” the woman said pleasantly, then closed the doors behind her as she retreated, leaving Lauren alone with Chase.

* * *

Chase couldn’t recall ever being so nervous as he watched Lauren slowly approach him, her eyes wide as she took in the interior of the quiet restaurant, her gaze slowly landing on him. He walked toward her, too, meeting her halfway.

She smiled, and that was all he needed to see to know that everything was going to be okay. She looked so radiant in the pink dress that conformed to her curves, her eyes sparkling with awe and a flush on her beautiful face. She was such a breath of fresh air when he’d been suffocating for far too long, and she made him want to be a better man, just for her.

And dear God, he just wanted to drop to his knees in front of her and beg her to forgive him for being such a dumbass the previous weekend. But he already knew there was no need for that. This woman knew all the parts of him, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and she’d already accepted him, flaws and all. It had just taken him a little longer to figure his shit out.

Last weekend, he’d honestly believed he was being noble, that in letting her go, he was protecting her from the emotionally damaged man he believed himself to be. His talk with Billie had been a defining moment, where he’d realized that ending things with Lauren had been all about his own self-preservation, wrapped up in false heroism. He hadn’t been saving her from him. All he’d been doing was denying himself the chance to know and experience the kind of love she gave so freely, no strings attached.

Reaching her, he took Lauren’s hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm as he escorted her back to the table. He held out Lauren’s chair and waited until she was seated before joining her in the seat across from her.

She looked around in confusion, taking in the elegant décor before her gaze came back to his. “I, uh, don’t understand.”

He tipped his head and smiled at her. “What are you having a hard time comprehending?”

“This is quite the grand gesture,” she teased him, easing any last lingering traces of anxiety he might have been feeling. “But… I mean… how?”

“How did I know you wanted to dine at Elysian Heights?” he asked, trying to guess what she was asking. “Your gramps mentioned it.”

She shook her head, causing the soft waves in her hair to brush along her shoulders. “No, I mean, it’s a Saturday night and we’re the only ones here, at a restaurant that books out months in advance.”

Oh, yeah, that. He smirked and shrugged. “I might have pulled a few strings to make it happen. The owner is a client.” Not to mention, he’d paid a pretty penny to have the existing reservations rescheduled, and the dining room all to themselves for the next two hours.

“And the dress…” she said softly. “You shouldn’t have.”

“I’m glad I did,” he replied without hesitation. “You look… breathtaking.”

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