I give him a small smile, feeling comforted by his presence. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

He tilts my chin up and kisses me gently. My heart melts into the kiss and I feel a wave of gratitude. “Thank you for being so understanding.”

Chase pulls back slightly, his eyes searching mine. “Don’t thank me, baby. It’s just how I feel. How could anyone see you and not be immediately obsessed?”

I smile, feeling a warm flush spread across my cheeks. “You’re sweet.”

Chase chuckles and wraps his arms around me, holding me close. “Just don’t forget, no matter what happens with Declan or anyone else, you’re my priority.”

I nod, burying my face in his chest. “I won’t forget.”

Peanut barks happily and I look down at him. “Thanks for looking after Peanut.”

Chase gently brushes a strand of hair from my face. “Anytime. Now, let’s go get something to eat and talk more about this, okay?”

“Actually, I just had dinner with Jade.”

“Great. We can grab a pizza for me.”

I nod, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “That sounds perfect.”

We gather Peanut and head out of the clinic together, a sense of calm settling over me. I know we still have things to work through, but for now, I’m just grateful for Chase’s understanding and support.

Chapter Twenty

Millie

I’m on the phone with my dad, half listening to him explain the difference between llamas and alpacas when I hear a knock on the door. I glance at the clock—Chase left for work about ten minutes ago. I open the door and my eyes widen in surprise. Finn is standing there, looking a little disheveled but determined.

“Hey, Millie,” he says, his voice low.

“Finn?” I stammer, trying to process his sudden appearance. “What are you doing here?”

He looks past me, glancing inside. “Can I come in?”

I hesitate for a moment but then step aside, letting him in. “Sure. Chase isn’t here, though.”

“I know,” Finn says, stepping inside. “I saw him leave. I was running and saw him heading out.”

I shut the door and try to steady my racing heart. “Dad, can I call you back?” I eye Finn standing in front of me, not sure what to make of his presence. I get off the phone with my dad and say, “Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?”

He shakes his head and motions for me to sit. “Stop pacing. You’re making me dizzy.”

I fidget, my nerves getting the better of me. “Is this about Declan?”

Finn raises an eyebrow, pushing a lock of his blonde hair back from his face. “What about Declan?”

I’m confused. I assumed he was here because of what happened last night, but he doesn’t seem upset. “I figured you’d be here because of…you know, what happened with Declan.”

Finn sighs, rubbing his forehead. “Last night, I went to a place called Inferno.”

I blink. “Inferno? What’s that?”

“A club,” he says, waving it off. “But that’s not the point. I picked up a girl there—Lindsay.”

Jealousy twists in my chest, a familiar, uncomfortable feeling. “So, why are you telling me this?”

He looks at me with a serious expression. “Because I can’t focus on anyone but you. All I can think about is you and how much I want you. That kiss in the elevator—” He stops, searching for the right words. “It unraveled me. I just need to talk to you.”