Taking Chances (Taking Chances #1)(46)

“Hey Princess.” Good God I missed hearing his voice.

“Chase,” I had to clear my throat to continue, “I didn't think you were going to be here.”

“I asked if you were coming to the house.” He replied hesitantly.

“Right, I just figured you meant your house.”

The room was thick with the tension that always followed us around. My heart started racing from his nearness and I silently cursed myself. I really didn’t want any kind of feelings for this guy, and here I was wishing he would try to kiss me again. We sat there watching each other for who knows how long before he walked over and sank down on the floor next to me, handing me a small wrapped box. “Merry Christmas Harper.”

I picked it up and just stared at it, all I could say was “Why?”

“Because you're my favorite, remember?” he huffed and his lips tilted up a little, “When I saw it, there was no way I couldn't get it for you. Please open it.”

So slowly I probably drove him crazy, I took off the wrapping and opened the little leather box. I gasped when I saw the ring inside there. It was a silver band that wrapped into the trinity symbol on top. I'd always wanted that symbol as a tattoo. I looked up at Chase and shook my head in wonder.

“How did you know?”

“You doodle it on everything put in front of you.”

He was right of course, if I had a pen and paper or napkin, it always ended up on there at some point. I just hadn't realized anyone other than Brandon noticed that, especially him.

“Chase…” I couldn't hold them back any longer, tears started falling down my cheeks and I quickly dropped my head hoping he wouldn't notice. He did.

“Don't cry Harper. If you don't like it, or you don't like that it's from me I'll take it back.”

My laugh sounded more like a sob than anything else. “I love it, please don't take it.”

“Then what's wrong?” He tilted my head up and brushed away a few tears with his thumbs. I had to force myself to not lean into his hands, it was the first time we'd had any type of physical contact in over a month. He was a whole new kind of Chase on Sundays, but I'd never seen him like this. So gentle and kind. It made my entire being crave him.

“I've never had this before. Not just the presents…the love that your family has for me. I've never had it until now, and it's so overwhelming. I don't know what I did to deserve it and I don't know if I show them that too.”

“You do. Trust me.” He searched my face for a long time and wiped the remaining tears from my cheeks. “You're special Harper, it's not hard to love you.” Dropping his hands from my face, he stood up and left the room.

After I rinsed off my body, fixed my hair and make-up and got dressed in my new outfit, I grabbed the ring and tested it on my fingers before leaving it on the ring finger of my right hand. Looking in Bree's full-length mirror, I smiled to myself. She really knew how to shop. I was wearing a short sleeved see-through green top that was fitted on my chest and flowed down to cover my bottom, with a black camisole underneath, faded skinny jeans and my black UGGs. I wasn't the best at saying thank you, but I hoped the family knew how much I loved everything.

“Woo! You look hot!”

I spun in a circle to show Bree her creation, “I love it! It's perfect for me.”

“I knew it would be.” She winked as Konrad came up behind her with drinks and they sat at one of the poker tables.

I stood behind her chair and tried not to look like I was searching for Chase. All of a sudden the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I looked to my right to find him staring at me and unconsciously biting his lip. My face flamed and I tried to pay attention to Bree losing Konrad's money instead of those lips. As Chase walked by, he grabbed my right hand and rubbed his thumb over the ring he gave me before dropping it and sitting at the other end of the table. I watched two games and reveled in Chase's booming laugh as everyone at the table ragged each other for losing money. Konrad stood up after the second game and gave me strict orders to sit in for him and to not lose his money while he went to the restroom. Guess he forgot that I was so horrible people wanted me to play with them because it was a guarantee they would get my money.

“You better just hand over all his chips now Princess, they won't be here by the time he gets back anyway.” Chase teased and flashed his signature smirk.

“It's about time.” Bree whispered leaning into me.

“For what?”

“He must've finally got some. This is the happiest he's been in two weeks.”

Not that I had any right to be, but I was instantly jealous of whoever he had been with. My heart clenched just thinking about Chase in that way. I felt like I was cheating on Brandon with my thoughts alone, and I hated it. Thankfully Konrad came back before I could do any damage, because not only did I not have any idea what kind of hand I had, but I could feel Chase's eyes on me every few seconds and it was seriously distracting. The tension between us was palpable, even in this room full of people and I needed to get away from him. I walked around until I found Mom and Dad sitting at another table and wrapped my arms around her neck.

“How are you guys doing over here?”

“I'm winning! Can you believe it Harper?” Mom's smile was contagious.