Page 20 of Bachelor CEO

“I’m sorry. That must have been hard.” Chasetook a sip of his water and Miranda appreciated the empathy inhis voice. At least he hadn’t pitied her. She’d had enough of that over theyears.

She picked up the menu, but had no idea whatto order. She set it down again and realized he was waiting for her tocontinue. “The only family my sister and I had left was my aunt. She wasn’t toothrilled about taking us in. That’s one of the reasons this job is so importantto me.”

“Then I guess we have two things in common,”Chase said.

He meant both the job and their parents’deaths. She hadn’t really thought about having anything in common with Chase.Maybe this was something on which they could build a working relationship.

The waitress arrived to take their orders.Although Chase chose the special, a Reuben sandwich, Miranda played it safe anddecided on a sliced turkey sandwich and a side garden salad. She reached forher water as Chase spoke again.

“Do you mind if I ask you what happened?”

Miranda stared at him, then tried to lightenthe moment. “Who are you and what have you done with the Chase who grilled meall morning?”

“Truce. It’s lunchtime.” When he grinned, sherealized that somewhere along the line his smile had grown on her. He wasn’t abad guy; he was just in a bad situation.

“The answer is that a drunk driver hit myparents. My father died instantly. My mother survived the accident, but didn’thave the will to live without my dad. She died six months later. I wassixteen.”

“That must have been hard.”

Miranda sighed. “I’ve managed.”

“But it’s affected you. It’s tough. I know. Itdoesn’t make you weak to admit it.”

“You’re right. It’s made mestrong. It’s the reason I’m so driven. My younger sister and I are nine yearsapart in age. She’s the reason I stayed in Chicago. My aunt and I didn’t getalong, but I refused to leave Linda behind. She was only seven when theaccident happened.”

“So you took care of her.”

Miranda shrugged. “As best I could. When Icould finally afford to move out I took her with me. My job allowed me to sendher to college. My parents wanted degrees for both of us. She’s going to be apsychologist, so she needs a Ph.D. She’s finishing this year. Even with tons offinancial aid, you’d be amazed at all the costs entailed. It’s been a strugglethroughout. During college I always had part-time jobs, and worked as manyhours as I could.”

“My grandparents stepped in for my siblingsand me,” Chase murmured. “We never had to worry about finances like you did.I’ve been a jerk in prejudging you. I’m sorry. I doubt I could have done whatyou did.”

“My past is past.” She reached for her drink,holding the iced tea like a barrier. Chase as Mr. Sensitivity wasdisconcerting. He couldn’t start being nice now! Although that was what part ofher wanted, warning bells in her head forecasted danger. If he could be likethis all the time, no wonder women fell for him.

He pressed on. “I have to disagree that youget to leave the past behind. Sometimes I wish I could, but it becomes a partof you. It’s always in the back of your mind, that little ‘what if.’ What wouldmy life be like had that day never happened?”

“Yeah,” she replied. He did understand. “Youtry not to think about it.”

“But you have to.Ido. Every day. That’s why my grandfather concocted this plan. You do understandthat I don’t want to leave for a year. Not only did he forceme, but he sprang the news on me.”

“I know. When Leroy hired me he told me youweren’t going to be happy. He said you’d be pretty resistant. I wanted to tellyou who I was when we met, but he said he wanted things handled his way, andwho was I to disagree?”

Chase frowned. “I guess hearing yourexplanation helps me understand why you kept the truth to yourself.”

The hairs on Miranda’s neck rose. “I nevermeant to mislead you.”

“Doesn’t matter. Even though I hate the idea,it’s what he wants for me. I can’t deny him something he feels so stronglyabout.”

“Of course you care about his wishes. You lovehim.” Impulsively she reached out and covered Chase’s hand with hers. His skinwas warm beneath her palm. His gaze locked on to hers and her breath lodged inher chest. Or maybe her heart had missed a beat.

Whatever had just happened, she felt a suddenkinship with Chase. She also felt the chemistry between them simmering justbelow the surface and threatening to bubble forth.

The waitress approached with their food, andMiranda snatched her hand back. She glanced around the room, but no oneappeared to be paying attention. However, she was extremely aware that she’dbeen touching Chase, in Maxine’s, where, he’d told her, everyone spreadChenille’s latest gossip.

Pretending to be engrossed with her sandwich,she removed the top slice of bread and added some honey mustard.

Chase watched her thoughtfully. “Just so youknow, that’s not going to work.”

She looked at him. “What? I happen to likehoney mustard on sandwiches.”

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