Page 60 of A Touch of Heaven

Chase answers before me. “It’s recent, but I’ve known I’ve loved her since I met her, and she told me she was going to marry me one day.”

“I was five.” I laugh.

“Mmm yep, but you know I’m going to keep you to that Princess.” The waitress laughs, placing the bill down in front of us before walking away.

“You really want that? I mean, we just…” He breaks me off with a kiss so intense and loving, showing me exactly how he feels.

“I’m certain one day, Brooke, you’re going to be my wife. I’ve known it since the day we met and you told me. I’m not saying now, I’m not saying tomorrow, but one day, you are going to walk down that aisle looking as incredibly beautiful as you look every single day and marry me.”

I don’t respond.

I can’t.

I think if I do, I’m going to cry.

I can’t believe he even remembers that being said, let alone believe it all these years later. I nod slightly, and he smiles. He moves his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me close to him, and lightly lays a kiss on my forehead. “How about we get out of here, Brooke? I should speak to the boys, and Harper is probably wondering where you are.”

And just like that, dread seeps back in.

“Do we have to? I kinda like our own little bubble.”

He chuckles, standing up, throwing a hundred on the table, and holding his hand out to me.

“We have our whole life, baby girl, to live in our bubble.”

I take his hand and smile, but it doesn’t quite reach my eyes, and I hope he doesn’t notice.

We walk through town and along the beach toward the beach house. I left without anything last night, so I have a feeling Harper is going to be pissed with me after blowing up my phone. Chase’s hand stays in mine the whole walk down, and I cling to it. His thumb strokes back and forth gently the entire time as if he’s trying to soothe me.

I know he can sense there’s something wrong, but the truth is I couldn’t tell him even if I wanted to because I can’t explain the uneasiness settling into my veins. I should be happy right now, and I am, but there’s something in the back of my mind that’s chilling me to the bone.

As we get to the house, I spot a shirtless Asher and Jax jogging down the beach. I can see girls’ heads turning to watch them as their sweat clings to their abs.

They are hot.

I can’t deny it.

The three of them together are like a dream come true, but as I look at them, all I can see is my family. My brothers. The ones that look after my man when he needs them and the ones that have spent years looking after me despite everything they have going on.

Nate has always been a little jealous of the bond the three of them have, but now I understand why they are so close. Asher’s trauma brought them together, but their bond has kept them close and will continue to do so for life.

They stop jogging as they spot us. Jax digs his arm into Asher’s ribs and points over to us as they start laughing and smiling. I squeeze Chase’s hand a little tighter, and he looks down at me. “It’s okay, baby. I think it’s pretty obvious what happened between us after disappearing all night together.” He chuckles, letting go of my hand and pulling me close, kissing my temple as his hand falls over my shoulder.

Jax pulls me away, hugging me and picking me up, twirling me around as a little growl escapes Chase’s lips. “Girl, it’s about goddamn time. I’m glad you two finally got together.” He drops me to my feet and punches Chase on the shoulder. “I’m happy for you, man!” Chase immediately pulls me back into his arms, and I roll my eyes laughing. Jax puts his hands up.

“Okay, okay, I won’t touch her, man!” Asher starts chuckling. “Now you know what we put up with when we hugged you.”

I look up at Chase. “Baby, I’m going to keep hugging other guys; you need to get over that! I’m yours, and that’s not going to change.” I stand on my tiptoes, bringing my lips to his as his hand slips around my waist, kissing me passionately, possessively in front of the guys. My hands run down his arms, and I get lost in the kiss as he leaves me breathless. I could get used to these kisses, I swear.

“You can hug these two but no other guys, Brooke. I can’t promise I won’t kill anyone that touches you now you’re mine.” I roll my eyes, knowing he’s teasing, or maybe I’m hoping he’s teasing.

The boys start laughing. “He’s not actually going to kill them, Brooke. Though they might find their legs broken.” They laugh hysterically, and Chase just glares at them as a thought slips into my mind about an old ex of mine, but just as I go to ask, I look up and see Nate on the porch looking at us. My gaze meets his, and I step forward, ready to talk to him, but instead, he turns away down the stairs and climbs into his truck, driving away without a second glance.

“He just needs time, baby girl. We can talk to him together when he gets back if you want?” Chase whispers, pulling me back into his arms. I nod as the guys start chatting away, my eyes following his truck disappearing in the distance, wondering if I have broken things forever between us.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE

BROOKE

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