Page 56 of Bachelor CEO

“Oh, there you go. Mr. Perfect. All he wantsis for you to be happy. Instead you take the first opportunity to throw hisgift back in his face. Did you ever think that the only thing he really wantsis for you to be happy, like he was? Work doesn’t keep youwarm at night.”

Chase’s face paled, proving she’d hit a nerve.But there was no turning back now.

“Do you know what we were talking about whenyou arrived and jumped to the wrong conclusion?” she asked. “We were talkingabout your grandmother and how they met. Did you know he failed a test so thatshe’d be valedictorian in high school?

“Your grandfather loved your grandmother,”Miranda declared, when Chase remained silent. “She was more important to himthan fleeting glory. He also knew she needed the college scholarship. No wonderyou’re such a big disappointment to him. You sacrifice for your family, but youwant recognition for being a martyr.”

“I do not, and I don’t have to stand here andtake this.” Chase strode to the front door and opened it. Miranda followed onhis heels.

“No, you don’t have to take it. But you shoulddo a little thinking yourself this weekend. About what you’re going to do ifthe board backs me instead of you.”

He stood outside on her stoop. “That willnever happen.”

She couldn’t contain her reaction. Upset withthe stupid feelings she’d had for this man, she needed to lash out. “We’ll seewhat unfolds on Monday. You stand a good chance of losing.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, because I highlydoubt it. You’re forgetting who I am.”

She planted her hands on her hips. “Oh, I knowexactly who you are. A high-and-mighty fool who’s about to take a fall.”

He had the gall to laugh. “Not going tohappen.”

“Wrong. And let me tellyou something you can take to the bank. I don’t love you.”

He looked as if she’d smacked him in the face.“What?”

She hadn’t intended to blurt out anythingLeroy had said, but it was too late now. She tried to regroup and calm herfrazzled nerves. She could not let Chase read anything more into this than itwas. Which was nothing.

“Your grandfather asked me if I love you. Forsome reason he thinks you and I should be all happily ever after. As if I wouldwant to be with a man like you.”

Chase clamped his arms across his chest. “Heasked you that.”

It was either be mean or cry. She couldn’tshow him how hurt she was. “He did. I hated to disillusion him. I’m sure you dothat enough.”

A strange expression crossed Chase’s face. “Hethinks you’re in love with me.”

“You wish,” she said, and then the weight ofthe day came crashing down and she did the first thing that came to mind. Sheended the conversation by slamming the door.

CHASE WALKED DOWN the steps and headed tohis car. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected when he’d arrived at her apartment.He certainly hadn’t foreseen what she’d hurled at him last.

His grandfather thought Miranda was in lovewith him.

Surely that had to be the dumbest idea Leroyhad ever come up with. But somehow it made sense. Chase felt as if he’d foundthe missing puzzle pieces he needed to have a complete picture.

He drove back over to his grandfather’s. Leroywas sitting in the great room again. “I don’t want to getinto it,” he warned.

“Neither do I,” Chase replied. “I just have aquestion for you. It’s about Miranda. Why did you ask her if she was in lovewith me?”

Leroy put his magazine down. “Because you twolook at each other the way Heidi and I did.”

Chase sank into a nearby armchair and absorbedthat. He felt numb, as if he’d been the world’s biggest fool. “So Mirandahasn’t made any declarations?”

“No. She thinks you hate her. Why should she?”

“No reason,” Chase said quickly.

Leroy shook his head. “Like nothing happenedon those late nights at the lake? You two didn’t have a little fun on thedock?”

His head shot up. “What did you see?”

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