Page 24 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

“What?” I spin around to face Chase again. “You made her wait? What the hell is wrong with you?”

“We weren’t ready,” Chase responds nonchalantly. Honestly, I’m glad they waited. What they have is the real deal, and I understand Chase’s reasons for not wanting to rush this. Yasmin is different. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have some fun with my friends and further embarrass them . . .

I turn on the sarcasm. “And you decided that you were ready at 1 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon?”

“Yeah, well, Yas made an offer I couldn’t refuse,” Chase replies with a smirk.

“Was it butt stuff? I told you butt stuff would work.” Ally winks dramatically at Yasmin.

Chase sits up straight, looking between Yasmin and Ally.“You two discussed our sex life?” His voice carries a hint of amusement. Obviously, they did. Those girls have become the dictionary definition of BFFs.

“Of course! You were taking your sweet time. I knowallyour secrets,” Ally taunts.

I don’t miss how Chase looks over at Yasmin, and how she subtly shakes her head no. Chase eases back into his chair.

Hmmm. It seems they are keeping secrets from us. The guilt niggles at me further. I’ve been keeping secrets from them all as well.

“No, she didn’t offer me butt stuff,” Chase admits, rolling his eyes.

“What did she offer you, then?” I query, determined to make them dish.

“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”

“Bullshit. Spill the beans.”

“Did she propose?” Rhys throws into the conversation.You often forget Rhys is there sometimes, but when he chooses to speak, you’re never disappointed.

Yasmin chokes on her drink and Chase’s eyes go wide.

“No freaking way!” Ally and I respond at the same time.

Chase sighs. “We may as well tell them. They won’t drop this.”

He looks over at Yasmin, and I can see the love in his eyes. My heart hurts a little. I’m happy for my friend, I really am. It’s just moments like this where I feel even more alone and wish I was in a room with a bottle of anything that will numb the pain and chase the demons away for a while.

Rhys and Ally are inevitable, Chase and Yasmin are forever, and here I am by myself. I’m not sure I’ll ever find someone who looks at me the way Yas looks at Chase.

“Fine,” Yasmin huffs. “Yes, I proposed.”

“You’re engaged?” Ally screams.

“No,” Yasmin responds with a small smile.

“You said no? Are you insane?” Ally turns to Chase in confusion.

“I did say no, because when I propose, I want to do it right. Yasmin deserves that.” Chase’s response leaves Ally speechless.

“I can’t believe you proposed so you could get laid. That is next level,” I tell Yasmin.

She finishes her cocktail and shrugs. “A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”

“Good on you. Was it worth it?” Chad asks as he replaces her drink.

“Yep,” she says before tasting the weird purple concoction that Chad made for her. “Definitely worth it, and if he tries to hold out on me again, I’ll take Ally’s advice.”

Now Chase chokes on his drink. I slap him on the back and laugh. I know exactly what he’s thinking.

“This is amazing! What’s it called?” Yasmin asks Chad, diverting the conversation away from her and Chase’s sex life.

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