Page 60 of SEAL'S Secret Vows

“Five seconds, Chase.”

“Hmmm...Shake it offby Taylor Swift.” He answers with a sly smile before taking some of the crackers. “This is actually easy.”

“I told you it was.”

“Nora, it's your turn now.” She plays the next song mouthing the words out loud.

“Don't say it out loud, it'll give her an advantage over me.” Chase wags a finger at her, and she puts a hand over her mouth.

“Umbrella by Rihanna.” I shrug grabbing a handful of the nuts.

“See, I told you it'll give her an unfair advantage. She answered in a second.”

“Oops, sorry. Next song, Chasey.”

“Chasey,” I snicker then continue, “I like that.” He rolls his eyes playfully, and Lauren plays the next song.

“This is classic rock, Chase; you've got to get this one.”

“I'm thinking. I'm thinking...” The answer isStairway to Heavenby Led Zeppelin.

“Yes!” She gives him a high five and Javier whistles.

“Wow. Okay, okay, everyone's cheering for Chase. That's fine. Let's have the next song, Lauren.”

“I Just Called to Say I Love Youby Stevie Wonder?” I ask, unsure.

Lauren mimics my expression looking disappointed. “I'm sorry, Nora but I'm afraid... you got the answer.” She burst out laughing.

“That's not very funny, you know.”

“It is funny actually. Let's play the next song. Aww... this is a love song but it's really old. Your time starts now.”

“Drake? Madonna?”

“Really, Chase? I said it's really old.”

“I have no idea.” He shrugs in defeat motioning to Lauren to play the next song.

“Yes. I win. I win. It'sCan’t Help Falling in Loveby Elvis Presley. Everyone knows the song. I'm surprised you don't.”

“Not so fast, Nora, there's one last song, and I'm playing it right now.” I start dancing to the song as soon as she plays it and she drops the phone, raising her hands in surrender.

“I got it allby Paul Damixie.” I clap my hands and do a little dance.

“She wins, Chase. You're going to run errands throughout tomorrow, and it's your birthday! I'm going to my room. I can't witness this.” She grabs some snacks from the table and heads to her room.

Chase looks at me with a scowl as I sing the song one more time.

“Ooh, I know I got it all, I'm on top of the world yeah, I got it all. Happy Birthday in advance Chase,” I lean closer, only an inch apart and watch his chest rise and fall faster than normal. “I can't wait to see you perform tomorrow,” I tease, “for all of us.” I trail my fingers from his face down to his neck and stop right on his heart. “This is going to be fun.” I grab my wine glass and head upstairs chuckling to myself.

Chapter twenty-one

Chase

Stirring awake from my sleep—the deepest I've had in a long time—I reach out in the dim lights, feeling the bed. My hand gropes the empty sheets, and I sit up to find there's no one there. I stumble out of bed, half asleep, rubbing my eyes to clear sleep from them. I scan the room, suddenly alert. I check the bathroom and she's not there.

“Nora?” I mutter. “Where are you?”