Page 78 of When the Fake Snow Falls

His body goes rigid before he turns to face her again, and I wonder if she notices. I wonder if she has ever seen a happy, relaxed Chase or if this is the only version she’s known. “Yes?”

“I’d like you to come find me later, so we can chat.” Her eyes flitter in my direction before she adds, “Alone.”

“Alone?”

“Yes.” She smiles my way, but there’s nothing nice about it. “Candace will be fine. She can find something to keep her busy. I’m sure the girls in the office would love to get to know her. Either that, or maybe they could use an extra set of hands behind the bar.”

I blink, the shock of her comment fracturing my composure. Nicolette knows I used to bartend after work. She knows because she was the reason I could quit and start doing hair full time.

Luckily, Chase speaks up before I’ve fully processed her comment. “Are you suggesting my guest—my girlfriend—works the bar?”

Well, so much for just being his date. “Chase,” I say quietly, but he only looks at me for a fraction of a second before his attention is forced back to Nicolette.

“Your girlfriend?” Tossing her head back, she cackles. “Please. Candace isnotyour girlfriend.”

His jaw ticks into a frown. “What makes you say that? You don’t think I’d have a shot with her?”

It takes everything in me not to let my head fall into my hand. That’s not what she’s insinuating. She and I both know it.

Nicolette smirks. “Oh, I have no doubt she’sdesperatefor your attention. Tell me, how did she get you to bring her here?”

Chase bristles next to me, and I give a tiny squeeze of hishand. I don’t care if Nicolette insults me. She’s been dishing me backhanded compliments for months.

Ignoring my silent plea, Chase lets go of my hand and takes a step toward his boss. “Desperate?” he asks in disbelief. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he shakes his head and drops his hand. Leveling a heavy gaze on her, he says, “Look, Nicolette. The only one desperate here is me.” He gestures back toward me but keeps his eyes fixed on her. “I’m desperate for anything this woman will give me. I want all of her. I’m so fucking lucky that she’s with me, and I won’t stand for you treating her as anything less than the incredible woman she is.”

Nicolette’s wide eyes jump to me. I’m not sure which she’s more surprised by, Chase finally standing up to her, or the words coming out of his mouth, but I’m sure my expression doesn’t look much different from hers.

“This is never going to happen,” Chase continues, gesturing between the two of them. “I’ve told you again and again that this won’t work, but you’re relentless. I’m done with the late-night calls and the suggestive comments. You and I have a working relationship. Nothing more.” He glances back at me, and something in him softens before he looks back at Nicolette. “I only want her. Do you understand? It will only ever be her.”

Without waiting for a response, Chase turns and grabs my hand before pulling me through the crowd of people. Some nervously wave to him, others try to stop him, but every time he politely excuses himself. It isn’t until we’re outside the large double doors of the grand entrance that he starts to relax. Running a hand through his hair, he looks over at me, his eyes wide. “You do her hair?”

I let out a bewildered laugh, because of all of the things for him to say right now, that’s not what I was expecting. “Every Tuesday.”

His speech to Nicolette is still muddled in my head. Words and phrases echoing out of order.

“Tuesdays . . .” The word drops out of him, slow and thoughtful before he shakes his head and scoffs. “Of course.”

My own eyes widen. “That’s why you always work late on Tuesdays. Because your boss leaves early.”

“Yeah.” The word comes out with a bitter breath. “I never knew why. She always made it sound important.” He shakes his head. “Work-related.”

I rub my hand over my arm to fight the chill. The sun has long since set, and the gentle breeze of the cool night passes right through me. The lights illuminating the decorative fountain are red and green, and I’m overly aware of the fact that I’m wearing a thin, strappy dress to a Christmas party. I should have brought something to wear over my shoulders, but Miles would have killed me for trying.

“Are you cold?” Chase asks, already removing his jacket.

“I’ll be fine once we go back inside.”

He hands the jacket to me. “Do you want to go back inside?”

“Thanks,” I say as I pull it on. My eyes drag over him, appraising this new version of Chase without the jacket. Every subtle change about his appearance makes me pause and appreciate him in a new way. He still looks impeccable, but as soon as he starts to roll up the sleeves of his white button-down, I know I’m done for. “It’s your party,” I manage to get out.

His eyes flick up to meet mine, his fingers still expertly working on rolling the second sleeve. “It’s our night.”

The way he says those three words makes me feel like the possibilities are endless. Chase makes me feel like I could do anything, and I wish feeling this way with him would never end. “Do you want to leave?”

The corner of his mouth twitches. “Yes.” With his sleevesrolled up, he crosses his arms before gesturing toward me. “But you did get all dressed up for a special occasion. I’d hate to disappoint you.”

My lips twist, and with a slow shake of my head, I say, “I didn’t get all dressed up for the party.”

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