Page 35 of Call It Love

“Yeah,” I said softly.

“Anna, if he’s staring? Own it.”

My pulse hammered in my chest. I wanted to. But wanting and having the courage to do it were two very different things.

Chapter 12

Chase

She hadn’t noticedme at first.

Standing in the doorway, I watched as Anna talked on the phone, her expression shifting from amusement to something quieter. She absently brushed something from her apron, her fingers delicate and gentle, the same fingers that traced lazy patterns against my skin when we were younger. Back when I thought nothing would cause us to fall apart.

I should have made my presence known. I should have walked away and given her privacy, especially since they were talking about me. About wishing she could change the path.

The truth was, I couldn’t stop looking at her.

Not since the moment she showed up on my doorstep drenched from the rain. Not when I tried to let her go again to stay at a hotel, only to want to beg her to stay. And especially not when I found a reason—anexcuse—to keep her close. Not since I realized that no matter how much time had passed or what had transpired, Anna still got to me. Like no one else ever had. And deep down, I knew no one else ever would.

She laughed at whatever the person on the other end of the line was saying, and at that moment, she looked like she belonged here.

Then, she turned her head, and our eyes met. Her smile faltered, and her breath hitched slightly, but enough that I noticed.

She didn’t look away.

Neither did I.

She murmured something into the phone, then lowered it.

“Hi,” she breathed.

I heard the hesitation. Felt her uncertainty. Reveled in her awareness.

But then her eyes flickered downward and landed on the basket I held. The shift in her expression was subtle, but I caught it—the way her mouth tightened, and her posture grew more rigid. She knew exactly what was in the basket. And she wasn’t happy.

Jealousy maybe?

The thought sent a sliver of satisfaction through me.

I drew a slow breath. “Hey.”

She tipped her head toward the basket. “What’s that?” Her voice was too carefully neutral.

I smirked. “It’s the pie you put on my kitchen table today.”

“Why did you bring it here? It was obviously a gift for you.”

I shrugged one shoulder. “I figured the guys might enjoy it more. Besides, I’ve had better.” I gave her a wink. “I think Bodie’s onto something. Peachisbetter.”

Her mouth opened like she wanted to say something, but she closed it again. “It looked like a gift,” she finally said.

“It is. But not in the way you’re thinking.”

She drew herself upright. “I’m not thinking anything.”

I took a couple of steps further into the room and put the pie on the table. “Yeah, you were. Are you jealous?”

Her eyes widened. “Wh…what? No! Of course not.”

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