The Look of Love (The Sullivans #1)(30)

Chloe shook her head. “But I’m not part of the crew. I can stay with her and then you all can—”

She felt Chase’s presence a split second before he moved into her line of vision. “We need you to take over for her.”

Chloe blinked once. Twice. “Me?” She frowned. “What makes you think I can take over for her?”

“You were a lifesaver yesterday.”

“I sewed up one dress.”

“You did more than that. I saw you talking with Alice, helping her put outfits together.”

Chloe shook her head. “They were offhand comments. I wasn’t trying to take over her job.”

“I know that. She knows that. But the fact is, you’ve got a great eye for color and pattern. You instinctively know what works. And the models trust you. They like you. That matters more than you know. If they feel great, they look great.”

She opened her mouth to protest again, but before she could, he moved a little closer, close enough that her already racing heart all but jumped out of her chest. “We all need your help. I need your help.”

How could she say no to him? He’d saved her that night on the road. Instead of being picked up by a ra**st axe-murderer, Chase had been a full-on knight in shining armor. And now he needed her help.

She saw his gaze drop to the bag at her feet, then up the legs of her jeans, over her T-shirt, and come back to her face. When his gaze met hers again, she could see that he knew exactly what she’d been coming here to do: to say goodbye.

He didn’t hide his disappointment from her. And oh God, she couldn’t believe how much she hated seeing it. She wanted the man back who looked at her like she was lovely. Like he wanted her so bad that he was barely a breath away from taking her.

That was when she realized that even though she’d come to say goodbye to his face, it didn’t change the fact that she was running again.

“I’d love to help.” She looked between Chase and Jeremy. “Just tell me what you need me to do and I’ll do it.”

Jeremy dragged her off almost before the words were out of her mouth. But not before she caught Chase’s smile.

And the fact that whatever disappointment had been there was now erased…desire and appreciation taking its place without even missing a beat.

* * *

The day flew by. Chase didn’t really need much direction with the clothes and Chloe knew he was only asking her opinions to make her feel involved. At first she was reluctant to say much. She didn’t want to screw up his photo shoot, after all. But, just as it had been the day before, it was hard not to get swept up in the magic of it all. They were creating beautiful fairy tales out in the vines and without thinking, she began to cinch in the waists on dresses and sew up hems. Not only that, but when she actually disagreed with the way the accessories he’d put together were clashing, she was amazed to realize that her choices were better.

And through it all, even though they were surrounded by the crew, attraction pulsed between them.

A part of her—the biggest part—wanted to run again. But with every hour that she spent working with Chase and his crew, she realized she simply couldn’t leave them in the lurch. Plus, in those moments when she forgot to worry, she realized she was enjoying herself. A great deal.

At the end of the night, Amanda said, “We heard there’s an awesome Mexican restaurant downtown.”

Chase raised an eyebrow. “No margaritas.”

Chloe could guess how he was with his sisters. Loving. Protective. But not overwhelming them with rules and regulations.

He was obviously a great brother. He’d make a great father.

The thought stopped her in her tracks but she didn’t have time to dissect it because Jeremy was asking, “Should we save you guys seats?”

Chloe felt Chase’s eyes on her, knew he wanted her to make the decision to either go with the group and hide out in the crowd like a coward…or face him alone. Planting a smile on her face that she was sure no one bought, she said, “I think I’m going to hang here again tonight.”

“Have a good time. I’m sure Kalen doesn’t want to work any harder than she already is on makeup, so get some sleep tonight, ladies.”

“I’d like to go check on Alice.”

Chase nodded. “Me, too.”

The silence between them was fraught with all the things Chloe knew couldn’t remain unsaid for too much longer. They drove over to the hotel where the crew was staying. Feeling terrible that they’d obviously woken Alice up from much needed sleep—she looked horribly pale and weak—they didn’t stay long.

Chase waited until they’d pulled up in front of the guest house before turning to her. “We need to talk.”

“I know.”

“You were going to leave.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes,” she admitted softly, “I was.”

“Why?”

She shook her head, hating how difficult it was to be honest. But knowing she had to be. “I obviously can’t control myself around you.”

Chase’s mouth moved up into one of those beautiful smiles of his. “I’m glad.”

She shook her head. “It isn’t a good thing.”

“Why not? Why do you need to control yourself around me?”