Page 149 of Outside The Wire

“Do you think that was the right thing to say?”

“Yes, I do because you know that’s exactly what would happen.”

My answer instantly deflated her anger. “Fine. We’ll get the moving company.”

The doorbell rang and I headed that way with a smile on my face. “I knew you’d see things my way.”

Swinging the door open, I wasn’t at all shocked to see Chase standing at the door. Thankfully, he was alone. “I haven’t changed my mind.”

“I wasn’t going to ask you to,” he said, his eyes flicking past me to Holly. “Do you mind if I come in for a minute?”

I wasn’t interested in him ruining our good mood, but as long as he wasn’t here to dampen things, it was fine. “Sure.”

Holly smiled at him, always a kind person no matter who it was. “Chase, it’s nice to see you again.”

“It’s nice to see you, too. I’m sorry about all the chaos we’ve brought into your life.”

Her eyes flicked to mine and she shrugged. “It happens. Maybe not this situation exactly,” she said, her eyes dancing with amusement.

“No, I suppose not. That’s actually what I came to talk about. Patrick and Jade are headed home.”

That caught me off guard. “They already left?”

“Yeah, yesterday,” he nodded. “He convinced her to leave.”

“But…she didn’t even say anything to me. I—” Shit. The things I said to her…I turned away from Chase, horrified at the way I left things between us. I was trying to get through to her, but I hadn’t wanted to make her feel like shit. It just came flying out of my mouth when she wouldn’t listen to me. And after she went to Holly’s place of work and tried to intimidate her…I just lost it. But now…

“She didn’t deserve this,” I said quietly.

“No, she didn’t,” Chase agreed. “But neither did you. It was a shit situation all around. I never should have pushed her on you, man. After all I saw you go through after her death…I should have known better.”

Yeah, he should have, but that still didn’t excuse the way I talked to her.

“She left this for you,” he said, handing me an envelope. “I’m heading out. I have to get back to work. I hope you consider my offer.”

I nodded absently as I stared at the envelope in my hands.

“Asher.”

I finally looked up at him. “Yeah?”

“I’m happy for you. Really fucking happy for you.”

“Thanks.”

“You deserve this after the hell you went through.” Then he turned to Holly. “And if he doesn’t treat you right, you call me. I’ll kick his ass.” He slipped her his number and held out his hand in a truce.

“Thanks,” she smiled, shaking his hand. “But I’m positive that will never happen.”

“So am I. Take care of yourself.”

I walked him to the door and nodded to him as he walked out. I felt like there should be some big goodbye, but as he smirked at me, I had a feeling I’d be seeing him again, and it wouldn’t be long before he came back into my life. Rolling my eyes at him, I let the door snick shut and turned to Holly.

“Well, should we read it?”

“We? Isn’t that private?”

“Not from you.”

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