Page 19 of The Billionaire and the Maid

“Do you need to be somewhere? I can have a driver drop you off,” Chase says. He had picked me up earlier, so now, I guess I’m stranded out here unless I feel like walking the five miles back to town in these ridiculous shoes.

“Oh…I…” I trail off. Normally, I go to the farmer’s market at Windsor Farms on Sundays. They always have imperfect vegetables for cheap. And their eggs are less money than at the grocery store.

Chase cocks his head to the side. “What?”

“Yeah, sure. I should probably change anyhow,” I murmur to myself as I look down at my clothing.

“You don’t like the clothes I sent over?” he asks.

“No, that’s not it. They are very nice. It’s just…I go to the farmer’s market usually and this is a little much for that activity,” I explain. I glance toward the kitchen. “Can you give me a moment? I should explain to Wendy.” I nod toward the door.

He frowns.

“Don’t worry. I’ll stick to our plan,” I promise.

“Where is the farmer’s market?” he asks.

“Windsor Farms,” I say as I push back my chair and place my cloth napkin on the table.

“I’ll go with you.”

I stare at him. “Why? You can just drop me at home. I can take myself,” I say in shock.

“Because we’re pretending to date, Ella. And going to a farmer’s market is something a couple would do, right?” he points out.

“I…well, yeah, I guess so,” I reply as I walk toward the door. I turn before opening it. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll wait for you in the hall,” he answers.

I step into the kitchen and Wendy glares at me. “What the hell is that about?” she asks, pointing to the dining room.

“Sorry. I meant to tell you. It just happened sort of quickly. I’m maybe seeing Chase…I mean, I am seeing Chase,” I stammer.

Wendy looks like she’s going to have a heart attack. “What?” she asks, her already big eyes growing bigger by the second.

I shrug. “He sort of ran into me at Elisha’s and one thing led to another and…anyhow, sorry I didn’t have time to tell everyone.”

She places her hands on her hips. “Are you planning on any other big surprises?” She pauses and her eyes widen again. She takes three big steps toward me, glancing around us. She pulls me by the arm toward the corner of the kitchen. “Girl, you aren’t pregnant, are you?”

“No!” I practically yell.

Putting up her hands in a defensive motion, she takes a step back. “Geez, OK. Don’t freak out.”

I roll my eyes. “What? You think Chase would only date me if he knocked me up?”

She sighs. “No…I mean…I don’t know. He just doesn’t seem your type, that’s all. Be careful with him. He isn’t exactly known around here as boyfriend material.”

“What’s he known as?” I ask, but I already know the answer.

“One-night-stand material,” she says dryly.

“Yeah, I’ve heard that, but don’t worry. We’re just having fun,” I say lightly.

“If you say so,” Wendy replies as she walks back over to the counter.

“I’ll see you later,” I add, taking a few steps to the door. I turn as I open it. “Wendy?”

She looks up from where she’s pouring some coffee.

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