More Than I Could (39)

Chase’s brows pull together. “Mayberry?”

“Let it go,” I say, laughing.

He slowly pulls his eyes from mine and turns to the phone. He places his forearms on the counter, leaning against the cabinets.

“Holy shit, Chase,” Calista says. “You are gorgeous.”

He snorts.

“Calista, please,” I say, my cheeks burning. “Please stop it.”

“Nice teeth, my ass. Speaking of, turn around, Chase,” she says. “Let me see your ass.”

“Enough,” I say, making Chase laugh. “Act like you have some damn sense.”

My admonishment is met with laughter—from both of them.

“So who is trying to replace me?” Calista asks. “We’re not acting like that wasn’t brought up.”

“My brother Gavin.”

“Does he look like you? And, if so, is he single?” she asks.

Chase grins. “No. He’s not nearly as good-looking as I am.”

“Fact check, Megs?” Calista asks me.

Fuck it. I lean against the counter too. My arms line up beside my boss’s, our shoulders nearly touching.

He smells fresh and clean—like soap and wood. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice he hasn’t shaved. No one deserves to be this hot.

I pull my thoughts together as I realize they’re waiting on me to respond.

“Is Gavin as good-looking as Chase?” I ask, my chest tightening. “Well, he’s much better-natured, I will say that.”

“That wasn’t the question,” Calista says.

Slowly, Chase turns his face toward mine. His eyes snag my gaze before I can look away.

Amusement dances across his features. The shield I usually find snapped into place is missing or, at least, isn’t as secure. He almost looks playful in the late-night hour. In fact, had I met this Chase instead of the grumpy cat version, I would’ve seen the family resemblance between him and Gavin right away.

But Chase still has more sex appeal. Why? Why does he have to be so ridiculously appealing?

My stomach tightens, and my heart begins to pound again. I could lose myself by staring at him, dreaming up situations and realities far from the truth.

“You see, Calista,” I say, my eyes still locked with Chase’s. “Chase and I have a deal.”

“What’s that?” she asks.

His lips twitch.

My brain races, trying to find the best way to handle her question. Obviously, he’s wildly attractive. Sexy. A catch. But none of that matters at present because he’s made his priority clear: Kennedy.

“She’s my priority,” he says. “If I’m open to messing around with you, that leaves room for mistakes.”

I force a swallow and turn toward the phone. Calista has her phone on her makeup table as she brushes her hair. She winks at me before going back to the mirror.

“It doesn’t matter how we feel. Our priority is Kennedy,” I say.

My statement is met with silence. Calista remains quiet while Chase shifts his weight beside me.

“Can I call you tomorrow?” I ask, feeling the heftiness of Chase’s gaze on the side of my face.

“Yeah. Sure. Call me tomorrow, toots. Love you.”

“Love you. Bye.”

“Bye. Bye, Chase. Nice to meet you and your great teeth.”

I roll my eyes.

“Nice to meet you,” he says.

I end the call swiftly.

My body is hot. The temperature in the room rises every second that it takes me to get the nerve to look at Chase. That doesn’t stop a surge of chills from snaking down my spine.

“That wasn’t awkward at all,” he says.

I force myself to turn to him. “Not at all.”

His shield is back, but a twinkle remains. “So you like my teeth, huh?”

His simple question breaks the tension. I burst out laughing and pick up my food. I carry it to the island, needing some space from him.

“You know, I’ve never had someone compliment my teeth before,” he says. “Odd but satisfying. My parents have a lot of money in my teeth, so I’m glad that paid off.”

“You know what’s satisfying?”

He grins.

I roll my eyes. “The fact that you had teeth that needed braces.”

“That’s cold.”

“That’s … just. You can’t have everything, Chase. It’s not fair to the world.”

He moseys toward the refrigerator. “Did you leave any leftovers?”

“Yeah. There’s some left.”

He takes out the containers to make himself a plate of food.

“Just so you know,” he says, pressing the buttons on the microwave. “I don’t have everything.”

“Huh. That’s good to know.”

“I mean, my teeth are great.” He turns and smiles. “And my … what did you say? Oh, my bone structure.” He lifts his chin and tilts his head side to side. “I think I got that from my dad.”

“It’s not nice to sneak up on people, you asshole.”

“What are you mad about?” He takes his dish out of the microwave. “I could’ve caught you talking shit. At least you were being complimentary.”