Page 7 of Worth the Chase

She did, however, call me right the fuck out on my drinking and potential issues. I played it off—because of course I did. I eventually explained that I wanted to take her home and live out all my wildest fantasies in her honor.

She was unmoved.

Unfazed.

And honestly downright unimpressed.

I hated the way she saw me now, like she oscillated between disliking and pitying me. Part of me was sure that I deserved her ire though. I must have done something in the past to make her act this way, even if I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“I’d love to go home with you tonight, Matthew O’Grady.” Some brunette wrapped her hand around my biceps and gave them a squeeze right after I finished spinning Clara around the dance floor.

When I turned to look at the woman, I realized I had no idea who she even was. Peeling her fingers from my arm, I gave her a forced smile. “Not tonight,” was all I said before walking away.

“Uncle Matthew?” Clara looked up at me, her cheeks rosy from all the dancing.

I leaned down to be at her eye level. “Yes, sweet girl?”

“I’m tired. I need a break.”

Her honesty made me smile, and I reached for her little hand and wondered where the heck her parents were. “Let’s go find your dad and your mama.”

“Over there.” She pointed off in the distance, where Thomas and Brooklyn stood, talking to my dad. “They’re with Pops.”

“I see that. Let’s go interrupt them.” I smirked, and Clara giggled. She was the only one who seemed to encourage my mischievous ways.

“Yes.” She laughed some more as she clapped her hands together.

We walked hand in hand toward the new bride and groom.

“Hate to interrupt—” I started to say.

“No, you don’t,” my dad interjected, and Clara laughed some more.

“We did it on purpose,” she said, ratting me out before she put her hand in front of her mouth.

“I just wanted to deliver this tired little package to her owners.” I spun Clara one last time before she leaped into her dad’s arms and put her head on his shoulder.

“What about you? Heading home?” Thomas asked as he looked behind me. For what, I had no idea.

“Pretty soon, yeah.”

“Alone?” Brooklyn questioned with a smug look, and I knew she assumed I’d be taking some lucky lady home tonight.

“Yep. Alone.” I tried not to sound as disappointed as I felt about the situation.

“Oh.” Brooklyn reared her head back. “I was actually kidding. I figured there was something going on between you and Bella. It sure looked that way.”

I inhaled a long, deep, filling breath before letting it out. “There definitely is nothing going on there.”

I turned around to glance at the gorgeous bartender, only to find her watching us. Well, well, well, that was at least a little bit interesting.

Brooklyn saw where I was looking, and she put a hand on my shoulder. “I think you might be wrong about that.”

“I’d love to be wrong about that,” I admitted.

“Sure you’re not?” she questioned, and I could only shrug.

“Pretty sure. I think she might actually hate me.”

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