Page 41 of Once Upon a Summer Night

Of course, trying to wash away the fuzziness that had settled inside her head with beer instead of water tonight probably hadn’t been her best choice, either. So, while the others were out dancing on the Tipsy Barrel’s teeny dance floor to the live rockabilly show, she stayed back, tapping her feet to the music and waiting for the buzz to pass.

And, God bless him, Chase stayed right beside her.

“Go, have fun,” she called over the opening strains of the next song. “I’ll be fine.”

“Who says I’m not having fun?” He smiled and gave her hand a squeeze.

Guilt niggled at her, but in her altered state it was easy enough to brush away. If he was content to sit here with her and watch the others try to dance, she was more than content to let him. Especially with as amazing as he smelled tonight. Someone had put on a little extra of that fresh, cool cologne. She leaned closer and drew in a long, slow breath to savor it.

“You doing okay?”

She looked up to find his face just inches from hers, and for a moment, everything around them faded away. It was just her and Chase, two souls paired by fate twenty years ago, their bond unshakable. Unbreakable.

“I knew it!”

Hannah blinked herself out of the inebriated trance and turned to find their coworker Austin Davis standing before their table, a smarmy grin on his face. It took her half a second more to remember why that was. And who she was perhaps sitting a little too closely with.

Chase released her hand. So much for all that bravado back at Mia’s yesterday. Had he changed his mind about not caring what the others at their station thought? Before she could think on that too much, his arm stretched along the back of her seat.

Hannah grinned. Nope, he still didn’t care.

“Knew what?” he asked. “That you could actually walk in and order a drink without my help?”

“Funny, Redding.” Austin motioned between her and Chase. “I knew something was going on between you two. Man, our station’s first scandal.”

Hannah felt her smile slip. To be accused of dating was one thing, but a scandal? That would tarnish not only her reputation but that of her father and his station, too. The last thing she needed right now was to give him a reason to turn on her all over again.

“Nah, the station’s first scandal happened about six years ago and involved you and your pillow,” Chase said, clearly unfazed by Austin’s accusation. “We’ve got video evidence.”

Austin stared for a moment, then burst out laughing. “You know I have to bust your chops now and then, boss man.” He reached across to bump Chase’s fist, then lifted his bottle of Budweiser high as a parting gesture. “You kids have fun tonight.”

Hannah offered him a wave, then blew out a sigh of relief. He’d really had her scared there for a minute, which hadn’t helped this buzz she couldn’t seem to shake. She put a hand to her cheek, surprised at how warm it felt. Was it from embarrassment, or the alcohol?

Chase leaned closer. “You want to get some fresh air?”

At her nod, Chase took Hannah’s hand and helped her from the booth, using his body to part the sea of patrons as they made their way to the door. He didn’t stop until they were beside his truck, parked along the side of the building. She leaned against it, drawing in long breaths, trying to force the fog from her brain. Man, what a lightweight she’d become!

“You all right?”

She looked to Chase, standing beside her with worry in his eyes, and offered the best smile she could. “Trying. Guess I’m a little out of practice. Didn’t want to lose my dinner in there and bring even more shame to the station.”

“You aren’t really worried about what Austin said, are you? I’d be more worried if he’d walked by andnotgiven us a hard time. At our station, they pick on you if they like you. It’s when they’re not teasing you that you have something to worry about.”

“Yeah, but now my dad’s going to hear about it for sure.”

“You’re right, and that’s not a conversation I’m exactly looking forward to. But don’t worry, I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I’d say to him if we ever got to this point.” A grin broke through Chase’s serious expression. “Also, I can run a hell of a lot faster than your old man can, especially with him in a cast.”

He tipped her face toward his and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. But rather than stop at one, he pulled her closer and kissed her again, slowly, thoroughly. Hannah leaned into him, the fresh air doing wonders to clear her mind and her body coming alive at his touch. She opened for him, and felt his tongue sweep in, teasing, exploring. He tasted of citrusy bourbon and sweet opportunity.

“Get a room!” someone called in the distance.

Chase gave them the bird but didn’t stop kissing her until she broke the contact. Hannah rested her forehead against his, needing to catch her breath and think this through. Kissing him was divine, but her body was humming with desire. She wanted more, but was she really ready to cross that line with her closest friend?

“You wanna get out of here?” he asked, his voice rough.

Clearly, he was feeling it, too. And just like that, her decision was made.

Hannah nodded, and Chase helped her into his truck. As he rounded its engine, she looked back to the Tipsy Barrel, glad to have gotten to experience it, but happier to leave. Nothing she needed now was inside that bar.

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