Page 24 of My First Mistake
She links her arm through mine and tuts. “He uses fuck like a comma that boy. Now, let’s all get to our afternoon tea, shall we? And there’ll be no more nonsense from any of you.”
Brax rolls his eyes at me and then he drapes an arm around his sister. He whispers something to her that makes her giggle, but I’m already escorting—or being escorted by—Maggie back to the banquet hall. And now whatever moment we were just sharing is long gone, but I have three more days and nights to get it back.
Chapter 12
Addison
# Drinking bourbon-laced tea in front of a roaring log fire is not foreplay
Istill can’t stop thinking about what Chase said earlier today even though I really should.I fucked up our friendship, and anything else we were ever going to be.What the hell did he even mean by that? Jackass is messing with my head.
Iwas just a hookup to him. Someone he felt sorry for. Someone hethrew a bone.I don’t let myself get too caught up in that memory because it’s too painful, and also, after our incredibly intense encounter today in the lobby, we managed to have a pleasant afternoon. More than pleasant actually. Chase made Eva’s mom snort laugh with some of his stories from when they were kids—he’s always been great at making people smile. After the afternoon tea was over, we all hung around the lobby until dinner. It was a truly special day, full of family and friends and laughter.
And afterward Chase and I walked back to the cabin and I changed into my pajamas while he made us some tea—ginger forme and rooibos for him—and he lit the fire too, the one we’re currently sitting in front of. Me on a beanbag and him on the sofa, and a bottle of bourbon on the table between us.
Chase pours a generous slug into his tea and then offers me the same, and of course I gratefully accept, because the only thing cozier than tea by a roaring fire is bourbon in said tea.
“So, tell me again how Brian came to be my landlord?” I ask.
He winces, screwing up his eyes and muttering a string of curses before he answers. And I’m glad he feels bad about it. He damn well should. “I knew you’d be pissed if you thought it was me, and I also knew those units needed an overhaul. So, I put my best project manager on the job to get it all handled as quickly and professionally as possible.”
I sip my tea and mull that over. It is true that shortly after Brian became my landlord, we did get new plumbing and electrics, not to mention new energy-efficient storefront windows. Chase’s company is big on green energy and it’s one of the things I’ve always grudgingly admired about his business.
“And the monthly calls?”
He smirks. “Well, he calls all of his tenants, but I admit you’re the only one he ever told me he stayed on a call with for more than two minutes.”
I can feel my cheeks flushing. A few hours after the very first time I spoke to him, his four-year-old son, Oscar, called me; I assumed Brian had left his phone unlocked and the kid had been playing around. Oscar and I had a lovely chat before his dad took the phone and apologized. I told him it was no big deal and then we talked about his kids and his wife, and I ended up telling him about my disastrous date the night before, and that was the start of a beautiful friendship…or so I thought. “Does he tell you what we talk about?”
Chase takes a healthy slug of his tea. “I will admit I do show more interest in you than any of the other tenants, but onlybecause you’re…” His blue eyes narrow on my face and I feel like wriggling in my seat under the intense scrutiny of his gaze, but I don’t. Chase looking at me like that also makes me feel like wriggling in my seat for an entirely different reason. “Well, you’re you.”
“Who else would I be, Chase?”
He smiles, that lazy, lopsided grin that used to, and unfortunately still does, make him look far too sexy for his own good.
Recalling the many conversations I’ve had with Brian about my disastrous relationships, I ask, “Does he keep you up to speed on my dating life too?”
“I mean he doesn’t give me details,” he says, a sheepish grin on his face.
“Wow!” I shake my head. “Brian is a sneak.”
“He’s just doing his job, and he really likes you. Don’t be mad at the guy. I showed an interest in you and I’m his boss so…But Jasper though? Really?” He tilts his head to the side and the twinkle in his eyes is far too playful and mischievous. It should be a siren telling me to run far and fast from this conversation. But it’s comfy here in front of the fire, so I don’t.
“You don’t even know him.”
“I know he’s a douche-knuckle.”
I scoff. “How?”
“Because he dumped you.” He flashes me a wicked grin while he tops up my ginger tea with a generous slug of bourbon.
“You think you’re so smooth, Chase Hunter. But like I said, you don’t even know him. So don’t judge me.”
He raises an amused eyebrow. “You mean themicrobrewer with the heart of a lion?”
I snort a laugh that has ginger tea coming out of my nose, but I’m too busy giggling to care. I wipe my face with the sleeve of my sweater. “You’ve seen his Instagram page?”
He nods. “Top-notch douche-knuckle.”
