Page 51 of Body

He takes a breath and pulls me to his side while walking to the line. “If you’re into him, I’ll make an effort. Okay?”

“Promise?” I smile wide and shift from foot to foot practically bouncing in place.

“Yes! Such a pain in my ass,” he finishes with a nudge to my shoulder.

We wait to place our order, and I have a moment to broach the subject of Bree. Since Angela died two years ago, I haven’t seen Phil so much as ask a girl out on a date. He had that one night stand last year when we were out and completely drunk on our asses. A little miss hot pants at the bar had her eyes on him all night and took advantage. I let it happen knowing he needed a night of freedom. I even picked up Anabelle from the babysitter and took her home with me. The guilt he felt the next day broke my heart. He felt like he betrayed his dead wife and spent the following months in therapy. That was the last time I tried to fix him up. Until now. I want him to get over his guilt and appreciate life again. I know Angela would want that, too.

“So, what do you think of Bree?” I ask nonchalantly.

“She’s pretty and fun. I like her. She’s a great gal.”

“Great, so would you consider dating her?” I ask.

“She wouldn’t go for a guy like me,” he says solemnly.

I was afraid he’d say that. I hum and shrug my shoulders. “She thinks you’re hot.”

He physically turns me toward him and stares into my eyes. “Really? She said that?”

I nod and smile. “You should ask her out sometime. Alone. Not with the group.” I leave it at that and walk away, carrying the four bottles of beer, two in each hand.

He laughs and follows behind me, his wheels probably turning already. We’ve all been out before over the years, but the two of them were never in a position to consider the other in that way. Bree usually was dating some fruit loop and Phil was usually avoiding anything remotely related to intimacy and women. Now I can see he’s thinking about it. I can only hope he’ll man up but knowing Phillip, he won’t. I may have to force it a little. When I maneuver down the stairs back to our section, Chase stands and grabs two of the beers. He passes them to Maria and Tom.

“Hey, thanks, man,” Tom says and takes a pull from the bottle.

“Thanks for the tickets!” Chase tips the beer bottle in a man type “Thank you/You’re welcome” move only men understand.

Now that everyone has a beer, we settle in to watch the game. Every so often Maria, Tom, Carson and Chase yell at a call they don’t agree with. Chase is really getting into this. When the Giants score, everyone celebrates with a round of high-fives.

Chase puts his hand on my thigh. I put my arm around his broad shoulders and lean against him as I watch my friends. Tom is holding Maria’s hand. They are chatting about the game. I can tell that he appreciates her. He tilts his head to listen to her and they laugh at the same things. It’s hysterical when they both act as if they are dying when a play doesn’t go the way they want. It’s amazing how quickly she went from knowing nothing about baseball to being intent on every play.

Kat and Carson are completely in their own world. She’s crossed her legs towards his and has half turned toward him. They whisper back and forth. Every so often he looks out at the game but Kat is holding most of his attention. He sneaks little pecks of her lips and shoulder. They’ve been holding hands since we arrived and really haven’t paid much attention to anyone other than one another. It’s lovely to finally see her so happy.

I peek at Bree and Phillip. Since our conversation he’s making a concerted effort to talk to her. Go Phil! I can see her playing with her hair, making a point to touch him every chance she gets throughout their conversation. A smack of the arm here, a grip of his thigh there. Bree’s in full flirt mode. She’s got her eyes set on Phillip, and she’s pulling out all the stops. They could make a great couple, and I know Bree would be an amazing stepmother to Anabelle. He really needs a woman in his life other than me. It seems as though Phillip is enjoying the conversation, too. He’s pulling the shy guy move with her. When she says something funny he looks down, shakes his head and then looks up at her through his lashes. Nice!

I giggle, and Chase tips his head to mine. “Enjoying the game, Baby?” he asks and cocks his head to the side. Damn he’s good looking. His hair is windblown a bit and he’s smiling in a way that would bring any woman to her knees.

“Very much.” I smile and he turns back to the game. I nuzzle his neck, taking in his scent. That woodsy scent mixed with citrus is my undoing. Warmth spreads through my body making every subtle touch of his seem like more. “Will you take me back to my place after the game?” I massage his shoulders with one hand.

“You’re welcome to stay at my place,” he offers.

“I have work tomorrow and you have a flight to LA,” I remind him.

A scowl appears on his face. “I’ll take you home.”

I lean towards his ear. “All I can think about is getting you home and into my bed.” Chase is making me bold sexually, not as afraid to ask for what I want. It’s a foreign feeling but exhilarating and freeing at the same time.

Chase’s hand slides further up my thigh. His pinky strokes my center. I can barely feel it through my jeans but it’s there and I push toward it. “I’m ready when you are,” he says seriously.

I kiss his neck. “Later.” I grab his hand and squeeze.

“That’s a promise.” He finishes his beer in one shot.

We spend the rest of the day laughing and cheering. All eight of us mostly paying attention to the game. At the last inning, the bases are loaded. The pitcher throws and the batter hits a grand slam. The crowd goes completely ballistic! I had no idea what was happening when all four men on the field made their victory lap around the bases, each one hitting home base.

Everyone around us, including my group jumps up out of our seats screaming and cheering for the Giants. The game announcer announces the Giants won the game! The crowd is at a constant roar, going completely wild! One by one every man grabs their lady. Tom pulls Maria into a frenzied kiss. He lifts her off her feet and spins her in a tight circle. Carson grips Kat’s hand and pulls her into his lap and lays one on her. I even see Bree hop up and down, cheering before she turns, grabs Phillip and exclaims, “What the hell!” then lays her lips over his. He yanks her trim body against him and they are gone, lost in a moment.

“Come here, Baby.” Chase pulls my face to his with both hands cupping my cheeks. I sigh into his kiss as he plunges his tongue into my mouth. I give as good as he’s giving, swirling my tongue around his and nipping at his bottom lip. He tugs at my top one before tilting my head to the side while sliding a hand down my body to cup my ass, plastering me against the hard ridges of his sculpted body and growing need.

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