Page 35 of Beauty and the Grease
Owen is first up at the lane. He holds the ball upright and studies the pins ahead. With precise action, he unfurls the bowling ball…directly into the gutter. “Aw, man.”
“Better luck next time,” Chase calls over.
The girls cascade into giggles. Owen looks back at Annabelle’s oldest daughter and winks.
“I think he gutterballed to make her laugh,” I say to Chase. “Oh hey, there’s Gutterball the dog.” The resident Derby Lanes dog trots over, sniffs my shoe, then continues on toward her doggie bed by the shoe rental counter.
Chase makes a show of covering his face with his hand. “This town. I swear.”
“Regardless, thank goodness for second chances.”
Chase moves his hand from his face into my hair, trailing his fingers through my loose waves. His smoldering look makes me feel like we’re the only two people here. He kisses me. It’s sweet and safe for public viewing, but just barely. My face flushes with excitement. For later. For every day after and beyond.
We have so much more life to live. More dates. Memories to create with our blended families.
“I’m glad my car broke down,” Chase speaks softly in between peppered kisses. “I’m glad it was you who found me.”
We’d found each other, right on time.
