I Stand Before You (Judge Me Not #2)(37)

“Hungry?” I ask when the food arrives and my good-looking lunch companion digs right in.

“Starving,” he says, looking up at me briefly before returning to his big, manly bites.

I imagine Chase probably doesn’t cook much for himself, seeing as he lives all alone out in that old farmhouse. But I don’t ask anything, I just let him eat in peace.

By the time Chase is finished, I’m still picking at my salad. It’s not that I am not hungry—I am, quite a bit in fact—but I feel self-conscious. It’s silly, I know, but I am just not used to eating with another person, especially not someone as undeniably gorgeous as the man across from me.

When the waitress brings our check, I reach in my purse for some money. “I got this,” Chase says.

I know he’s not making a whole lot more than me working for the church, so I throw up the hand not digging around in the purse and wave it back and forth. “No, no. I have money—”

“Seriously, Kay,” he interrupts, putting his hand over the check like it’s already decided.

I huff, and he adds, “Think of it as my way of saying thank you for the tour.”

I have to laugh at that one. “My tour was barely worth the cost of our iced teas, Chase.”

My comment is not entirely in jest. I truly believe I should pay my share, and the “tour” just doesn’t cover it.

Chase picks up the check. “I have a proposal, then.” Suddenly, I am all ears. “You let me get this,” he continues, waving the check a little, “and, in return, I’m going to ask you for a favor. There’s something I need help with.”

“Okay,” I agree, before I even know what I’m agreeing to.

Heck, I could be agreeing to birth his firstborn. Not likely, but it’s sure fun to imagine, especially the part pertaining to exactly what we’d have to do for me to uphold my end of the bargain. It would definitely require engaging in some of that crazy-good sex Chase supposedly knows how to make happen.

While I am lost in inappropriate thoughts Chase would probably be shocked to learn, he pulls out a piece of paper from the back pocket of his jeans. He unfolds and places it on the table.

“I have an apartment I’d like to rent. I drew up this flyer last night.” Chase taps the piece of paper. “The place I want to rent is on my property, but separate from the main house. It’s above a garage that’s not been used in years.” He runs his fingers through his hair, making a few strands stick out at funny angles. I suppress a smile. “So, if you could make some copies of this flyer for me, I’d really appreciate it. That’s worth the price of lunch, right? What do you say, sound like a fair deal?”

Even if I paid my own bill, I’d still make the copies for Chase. But since he seems so determined, I accept his proposal. In doing so, I am a little saddened that no crazy-good sex is in my future. But I’m also really curious to see this apartment. Anything has to be better than mine. Maybe I can afford what Chase is asking and he won’t have to even bother with flyers.

“May I?” I ask, my fingers grazing the edge of the paper.

“Sure.”

I slide the flyer out from under Chase’s hand. All the apartment specifics are listed, as well as a price, and a very sharp, colorful picture.

But, wait…I take a closer look.

The picture isn’t a copy of a photo, not one taped to the flyer either. Nope, it’s an actual drawing, an incredibly good drawing. It’s very detailed, better than a photo. It is art; real, true art.

“You drew this?” I ask on an exhale of air. I am beyond impressed.

Chase just presses his lips together and gives a quick nod.

This guy across from me isn’t just an artist; he’s an insanely talented one. He just draws a little? Yeah, right. Obviously he played this talent down back at the school. Not only is the rendering of the place he wants to rent amazing, but the apartment itself is incredible. It puts my basement atrocity to shame.

My apartment is dark and stuffy, whereas this one appears bright and welcoming. Skylights line the low, sloped ceiling, showing off a rather nice living space. It’s not huge, but it’d be more than adequate for a person living alone, a person like me. On one side of the space, there’s a living room area, complete with a sofa, coffee table, and even a TV. On the opposite side, separated by a breakfast bar, there’s an adorable little kitchen. If Chase’s drawing is accurate—and I feel sure it is—then all of the appliances must be new, they look immaculate.

A working oven! What a dream. I hold the flyer close to my face. Like when Chase was checking out Timmy’s drawing in my classroom, it’s now my turn to evaluate and assess.

There’s a kind of half-wall drawn between the living room and bedroom, but Chase has made it transparent so the details of the sleeping area are on full view. The bedroom is as nice as the living room, kind of a retro shabby chic. There’s a double bed with an iron headboard, a trunk at the base, and a nightstand with an old-fashioned lamp.

“This is amazing,” I exclaim. “It’s really a great place, Chase. I’m sure you’ll find a tenant in no time.”

“That’s what I’m hoping,” he replies.

I glance at the price, wishing that the future tenant could be me. But what he’s asking is out of my price range, at least until I have more money saved.