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It starts raining popcorn over the blonde beauty and she giggles prettily then makes it back to her seat.

“Shut up, Bree! You know she loves me more,” Ria yells.

Kat is laughing but not commenting. She’s obviously busy with Carson. He has his hand high on her thigh and his other arm around her shoulders.

“You two look cozy.” I tell them. Kat turns bright red and he grins like the cat who ate the canary.

“Cara Bonita!You look hot!” Maria announces as I shimmy into my seat.

Both Phillip and Chase say, “Yeah, she does.”

Chase whips his head to glare at Phillip. I push Chase toward his seat. I can feel the tension in him after hearing Phillip’s comment. I decide I have to assuage his fury and deflect the attention away from me.

“Hey Phil, doesn’t Bree look hot!” I ask. Bree flicks her hair and looks irritated at me but then smiles and leans back against her chair next to Phil.

“She always does!” he says immediately then blatantly checks her out. “You really do,” Phil adds quietly to Bree. Her gaze jerks to his and she smiles. Chase relaxes. Now for the next step.

“Hey, Gigi,” Phil calls, but before I respond, I pull Chase’s face towards mine and plant a kiss on his lips. He deepens the kiss, putting his hand in my hair at the nape of my neck and pressing into me. When I pull away he’s smiling that deadly sexy smile. “Oh come on,” Phillip scolds.

Without moving my face from Chase’s I answer Phillip. “Yeah, what’s up?” I snuggle my forehead against Chase making a scene with my public display of affection. The girls are smart enough to know what I’m doing. When I pull away Maria is shaking her head in disapproval, but a hint of a smile tips at the corners of her mouth. Bree is smiling like a kid on Christmas morning, her hands clasped and close to her heart. Kat must have not got the memo because she wasn’t paying attention at all preferring to nibble on Carson’s neck. Phillip is positively fuming.

“Hey, Phil, let’s get some beers for everyone,” I suggest. I need to set my best friend straight and now.

Chase stands. “I’m coming with you,” he says firmly.

I put my hand on his chest, “No, you’re not. Trust me.” I search his eyes, telling him that I need this time. “But I could use some money?” I hold out my hand.

“Of course, yes.” He pulls out his wallet lightning fast. I wink at Bree as she watches the display. He places a handful of twenties in my hand well beyond what I need for beers, but I’m not going to complain. I know asking him for money in front of my friends was the exact thing to do. It gives him back that sense of ownership, that he can provide for my needs. “Get anything you want and buy a beer for everyone.” He kisses me quickly and then sits back down. The smile on his face is priceless.

I look at Maria and she rolls her eyes. Kat makes the “perfect” symbol with her fingers as Phillip pushes his way through the group. “Ready then?” he asks in a huff.

We make our way over to the concession stand and I twirl and put my finger to his chest. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I am done allowing his macho bull-shit to go any further.

He backs up a step. “Me! What about you, sucking face in public with a man you’ve only known for what, half a second?”

“I’ve known him for almost two weeks now, and we’re seeing each other, okay? I’m really happy with Chase. What’s your deal?” I point at his chest harder than I need to.

“Stop that! It hurts.” He pulls my hand away from his chest. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just tired of you getting with men that aren’t worthy of you, that’s all.” He looks down at his shoes.

“And do you thinkyou’reworthy of me?”

His eyes shoot up to mine. A stricken look mars his handsome face. “No, Gigi, it’s not that. I love you but…”

I groan and take a deep breath. “Phil, I know. I love you too, but it’s more like a brother.”

He nods and releases a breath he must have been holding. He brings his hand to the back of his neck and rubs it, clearly uncomfortable with this conversation. “Yes, exactly.”

“So stop this weirdness with Chase. If it’s not jealousy, what is it? I really like him, and I don’t want you messing this up for me.” I grip his hand and squeeze it.

He searches my eyes and squeezes my hand tightly. “You’re falling for him, aren’t you?” I look into the distance. I can’t lie to him and I haven’t really given my feelings enough thought. “I haven’t seen you like this since Justin,” he continues.

Just hearing his name gives me the chills. Phil pulls me into a tight hug. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to bring him up, it’s just I can see it in your eyes when you look at him, Gigi. I just want you to be careful with that beautiful heart of yours.” I nod into his chest and hug him tighter. “I can’t forget what that asshole did to you and after losing Angie, it’s just, I can’t see someone I love get hurt again.”

I knew it wasn’t jealousy! Chase had my mind twisted with his possessive brooding behavior. I hug Phil tight and rest my chin on his sternum to look up at him. His eyes have lost the irritation and I’m certain mine have too. All is right with the world again.

“Let’s get that beer. Wouldn’t want Mr. Macho to wonder where you are.”

“Oh, shut up.” I punch him in the arm. “Seriously though, you’re going to make an effort with him, right?” I give him my best pout, complete with lip puffed out and sad puppy dog eyes.

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