Page 44 of Someone to Hold
“It was the dimples.”
I laugh again. “I think my coordination improves when I’m drinking.”
“That’s not a thing, hon,” she answers. “It’s the Wild Turkey talking.”
“Gobble gobble,” I tell her, and climb out of the car, suddenly not looking forward to a night alone in the house. “I promise I’ll take it slow.”
I grab my crutches from the back seat once again, looking forward to a time when I’m back on two feet. My ankle isn’t hurting as badly as it did right after the accident, but a couple of hours standing while we chucked axes at a target hasn’t helped.
Once I’m out of the car, crutches tucked under my armpits, I wave and watch her drive away.
“Why are you trying to get rid of me?” a deep voice asks.
I let out a yelp, then spin around, one crutch swinging wildly while the other catches my shin.
As I’m coming to expect when Chase is around, I fall flat on my butt.
In a couple of quick strides, he’s down the porch steps, where I didnotsee him sitting. He grabs the crutches, then yanks me to my feet before I can protest.
“Why are you lurking in the dark outside my house?”
“I was sitting on your porch swing,” he says with an amused scoff. His gravelly voice slides across my skin like velvet.
I blame my reaction on the shots and shoo him away before he can scoop me into his arms. My body would like to throat punch my brain in protest.
The porch light is off, leaving us in near darkness, and the pale moonlight casts shadows across his face. I can barely make out his features, but I can tell his gray eyes have gone dark.
“We need to talk,” he says. I almost lose my footing again when he follows up with, “About your…you know.” He flaps a hand. And I don’t know how hand flapping can look manly, but somehow Chase manages it. “Your cobwebs.”
“Coochie cobwebs,” I clarify, narrowing my eyes and trying to ignore the flush that rises to my cheeks. Humiliation wipesout my buzz in one fell swoop. Will I ever live down that moment of verbal indiscretion? “I’m not talking about my cobwebs with you. Or with anybody. But definitely not you.”
“Come on, Molly.” He runs a hand through his hair like he does when he’s frustrated or discombobulated. “I don’t want things to be awkward between us. I won’t apologize for the kiss, but I’m sorry if it made things weird between us.”
I feel my mouth drop open. “Do you seriously think I’m mad about the kiss?”
“Yeah. No?” He shakes his head. “You know it was more than a kiss. Just like I know I have no right to you. You’re my best friend’s woman and?—”
“Hold up, cowboy. In case it’s unclear, we’re not role-playing some testosterone-fueledYellowstoneknock-off. This is real life. Calling me yourbest friend’s womanmakes it sound like Teddy owned me.” I jab a finger into Chase’s chest. “He didn’t. And besides, he’s been gone for over two years. I don’t belong to anyone except myself. I’m the one who chooses who I kiss and when.”
“Got it,” he says, hands up, surprise and respect flickering in his expression. “You were the one who brought up cobwebs, Molly. What was I supposed to think?”
It’s a fair point, but not one I’m willing to concede to at the moment.
“That I’m a single mom of twins living with my late husband’s mother?” I roll my eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. “I have priorities other than hooking up. Or maybe I was waiting for a night like tonight and the cute guy at the axe throwing place who?—”
His eyes flash with an emotion I can’t decipher. “What axe throwing place?”
“The Max Axe.” I tilt my head defiantly. “It opened at the beginning of the year. Turns out beers and blades are cathartic.” I don’t mention the shots.
“Were you on a date?” His words are growly and low, anddamn if it doesn’t make my stomach do a bunch of unwanted flip-flops.
“None of your business.”
I slowly make my way up the ramp he built, unable to continue holding his gaze. Not with the intensity in his eyes.
“We kissed,” he says, and even though his voice is barely above a whisper, the words stop me in my tracks.
“That doesn’t make us Instagram official,” I say over my shoulder, proud of how casual I sound.
