Page 10 of Just Another Chance

“And I love her very much,” I say with a slight frown. “I’m planning on proposing tonight.”

“Hmm,” she utters, leaning back in her chair, a smirk curving her mouth. “Then I suggest you have a little fun before your sex life dies a slow, painful death.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my sex life,” I inform her.

“That’s because you aren’t married yet.” She chuckles and tilts her glass in my direction. Congratulations, though. It’s very brave of you to decide to spend the rest of your life with one person. Me, on the other hand, I like having options.”

Yeah, she’s definitely been around the block,I think. “Sounds like you’ve never been in love,” I comment.

“Love is for suckers and dreamers. No offense.”

“None taken.” I’m actually beginning to feel sorry for her. I’m hardly an idealist like she’s suggesting. I’m a realist and see things as they are, but a life without love would be a lonely, pointless existence. I want a partner, someone to share my highs and lows with and navigate this crazy life with. A woman who will love me and cherish me as much as I do her.

Granted, I never thought this until meeting Addison. Maybe that’s what love does– opens your eyes to all that you’ve been missing.

“So, are you telling me that you won’t miss being with other women?”

Beneath the table, her knee bumps mine, but I don’t read too much into it. “No.” It’s the complete truth. Addie and I are electric between the sheets.

“Not even a little?” She arches a slim brow. “Because I just find that hard to believe. Especially coming from a man.”

“Is it because you feel we’re all horn dogs?”

She laughs. “Something like that.” She eyes me closely. “Seriously, though. I’d like to understand. Why give up the buffet table with unlimited options for the same meal every day?”

“I guess love makes you do crazy things.”

“Crazy or stupid?” she asks.

“Probably both,” I admit. “I’m getting the feeling that you’ve never been in love.”

She gives me a sly smile. “Not feasible in my line of work.”

“What do you mean?” I assumed with a rich daddy that she probably only “worked” when it came time to organize a charity event or something along similar lines. Suddenly, I’m getting strange vibes. Like I’m missing something important, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

Instead of answering my question, she takes a bite of her pasta.

I’m curious, but I don’t ask again because it's none of my business. Instead, I sip my wine. I’m not really hungry because of the large lunch I ate with my dad earlier. Chella looks over at my untouched plate.

“How’s your chicken?” she asks and bats her lashes.

I shrug a shoulder. “I’m not really hungry.”

“Nervous about proposing later?” she asks, reaches over and stabs a piece of my chicken.

I raise a brow. “Help yourself,” I say in a dry voice.

“I don’t like seeing expensive food go to waste,” she says and tosses me a wink.

I heave out a sigh and guess I am nervous. Even though I know Addie loves me, we’ve only known each other a few months. Maybe it’s too soon for her. Not me, though. I knew the moment I saw her.

When Chella slides her stockinged foot up my pant leg, my head snaps up. “What’re you doing?” I ask, pulling my leg away from her roaming toes.

“I think you should have one last night of fun,” she purrs.

Has she heard anything I’ve said?I wonder. “Not interested,” I say coolly.

“Oh, c’mon, Tanner. Lighten up.”

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