Page 71 of Lyrical

“I’m mentioning it because I want to know what you were so afraid of me talking about. But let me be clear with you first, and then you can be clear with me. If you offer me your ass, not as a diversion tactic but because you want me to take it, I will fuck it, Jillian. And I can promise you that I’ll make it feel really good.”

“Um….” I squirmed a bit. How could he make something like that sound so sexy?

“Your turn.”

I gathered my thoughts. “Chase, I… I just want to be as confident as you, that’s all. I want to believe that we’ll get through anything no matter what is thrown our way.”

“Then believe it. That’s all you have to do.” I remained quiet. “What specifically are you worried about?”

“Nothing I want to get into because right now is perfect. Right now I believe in forever, and it feels wonderful.”

He looked into my eyes. “Okay, Jillian.”

My phone sounded from my purse, and I rolled over and pulled it out. A text from Perry lit up the screen.

I think you’d better get here ASAP. Daniel has some huge news, and he’s waiting for you. I’ll give you one guess who he brought with him to share it.

Shit.

We’re on our way.

I was steaming by the time we arrived, having plenty of time to percolate in the car. This was family dinner; it wasn’t family dinner plus Cassie. She did not belong there, but she seemed to be making a habit of inserting herself where she didn’t belong, so why should it surprise me? I wondered if he’d cleared it with my mom first or if he’d just shown up with her. The fact that she was there at all gave me the foulest taste in my mouth. What kind of news could they possibly have to share together? Even Frank’s food sounded as appetizing as a plate of mealworms.

We stepped up to the porch, and upon opening the front door, I noticed Perry and Daniel huddled off together in the side alcove. I thought that was a little odd. I glanced at Chase, and he gave my arm a squeeze before heading to the kitchen.

I walked over to them. “Hi, guys. What’re you doing in here?”

“Hi, Mom.” I gave him a hug, seeing Perry’s face over his shoulder. Her look spoke volumes, and I knew it couldn’t be good.

“Hey, Jills. Daniel was just asking me something.”

“Oh yeah. What’s that?”

“Uncle Stephen invited me to the bachelor party next month, and I heard it was going to be on the same night as Aunt Perry’s.”

“Yep, that’s how I understand it.” Nothing made me want to run screaming for the hills so far.

“I was just asking her to invite Cassie, as a favor to me. I know it’d mean a lot to her to be included. I’m bringing her to the wedding, so it’s not like she’d be out of place showing up at the party.”

Perry smacked her lips, buying herself some time to think. “My sister is completely in charge of the party, so I really have no control over this part.”

“But you’re the bride-to-be. Stephen was able to invite me even though he’s not in charge of it either.”

“You’re planning on bringing Cassie to the wedding?” I asked.

He nodded, looking at Perry. “I assumed that was fine, right? Usually the invites have a plus one.”

“Daniel, that’s over two months away.”

“So?”

So?Where did I even start?

Perry put her hands on his shoulders. “I’ll tell you what. I can’t promise anything because she already made the reservations, but I’ll talk to Sam about it and see if she can squeeze another one in.”

Daniel looked like he’d just unwrapped the train set we’d given him for his sixth birthday. “Thanks, Aunt Perry.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

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