Page 43 of Chase Lovett Wants Me

Next is a quick makeup tutorial. Essie is blissfully easy on me and does not make me attempt cat eyes. Mostly it’s a little blush, mascara, shimmer eyeliner to make my grays pop, and gloss to draw attention to my mouth.

“Have the best time!” Essie is all smiles.

“I will, thanks for the help.”

“Always my pleasure. And I need to come to campus with Rix one of these days so we can grab lunch. With Tally too because you’ve been holding out on me, you little sneak. I can’t believe you met her without me introducing you. It’s a small world, little sister. I’ll text you dates soon for all of us to get together.”

“I’d love that.” And I mean it. I actually think it would be fun to hang out with my sister and our mutual friends.

We blow each other kisses and I end the call. I lace up myDocs, slide my phone and wallet into my pocket, fluff my hair, and leave my room. It’s just my luck that Barbie and Annabelle are walking down the hall when I knock on Chase’s door.

“Aww. Isn’t that cute. The little weirdo is all dressed up,” Annabelle whispers loudly to Barbie.

Chase’s door swings open. I swear all the air is sucked out of the universe. He looks magnificent. Hair styled, freshly shaved, dressed in jeans and a long-sleeve collared shirt. His own bomber jacket thrown over top. He’s completed the look with a pair of sweet running shoes.

“Hi, Chase!” Annabelle and Barbie say in unison.

He lifts a hand in their direction but doesn’t look their way. A smile spreads across his gorgeous face as his eyes rove over me on a slow, hot sweep. “Wow. Hey. Hi. You look amazing.”

“Thanks.” My stomach flips around at the compliment, and I allow my own gaze to do a slow sweep. “I’d let you fuck my face.”

Chase’s grin widens.

I slap a palm over my mouth when I notice Brody sitting in his computer chair on the other side of the room. He looks just as comical as Chase did sitting in mine, his huge body making it appear better suited for a child. I glance over my shoulder. It’s bad enough Brody heard me. It would be just my luck that the mean girls would overhear that comment and label me the floor slut. Thankfully, Barbie and Annabelle are at the other end of the hall whispering furiously to each other.

Brody spins around in his chair. “Let him take you for dinner and a movie first.”

“Hi, Brody,” I choke out the words.

“Hi, Cammie.” He waves, expression wry as he adds, “And get yours first.”

I give him two thumbs-up. “Solid advice.”

“Later, Brodes.” Chase grabs his phone from his desk and slips it in his pocket.

“Have fun, kids. And play safe.” Brody salutes us.

Chase steps into the hall and pulls the door closed behind him.

“He won’t say anything to anyone about the face-fuck comment, will he?” We’re connected by too many threads and I don’t want it to get back to my sister. Not because I think she’ll judge me, but because I’m good with having some TMI boundaries with her.

“Nah. He’s a vault.” Chase laces our fingers and leads me down the hall. “Our ride will be here in like two.”

“Where are we headed?”

“There’s this cool farm-to-table restaurant downtown. They have a nice menu and even vegan options,” Chase explains. “My sister doesn’t eat things with faces, so we always go to places that have something for everyone on the carnivore-to-veggie spectrum.”

I smile up at him. “That’s so thoughtful.”

We take the stairs because there’s a gaggle of people waiting for the elevator. People say hi to Chase as we push through the doors and step out into the cold, dark November evening. The Uber is already there, so we hop in and take the short trip downtown.

The restaurant is cozy and much nicer than any of the places close to campus. The host tucks us into a booth. Instead of sitting across from me, Chase slides into the seat beside mine. The server is a hipster-looking dude with a bushy beard. We both order ginger ale and flip our menus open.

“I’m starving,” Chase says.

“I feel like those are words that come out of your mouth often.” I peruse the appetizers. They have fried brussels sprouts, which are a personal fave.

“Yeah, like ninety percent of the time,” Chase agrees. “How do you feel about brussels sprouts?”

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