Page 63

I knew it was my money, but it felt weird, like I was taking his. I sent him a text.

Me:Thank you for the flowers and coffee. You’re spoiling me. I withdrew my suit this morning. I guess, we’ll never know who would’ve won in court.

Chase:Me of course.

I rolled my eyes.

Me:Still Mr. Cocky Hot-Shot Homeowner.

Chase:What are you doing later?

Me:Taking my new boyfriend out on a date.

Chase: Who might that be?

Me:My calendar guy.

Chase:Good thing you stole spares after you defaced his handsomeness.

Me: You have no idea what I did with those spares… they’ve seen me naked.

Chase: Babe. I’m dying here.

Me: I’ll pick you up at six.

Chase: I’ll pick you up.

Me: My date. My rules. Don’t be so misogynistic. I’m taking you out.

Chase:A woman in control… I like it.

I spent my day finishing up a thesis I was working on, texted Dr. Winnfield about Roscoe then planned my date. Dinner was so cliché. He already took me on a beach picnic…. Movies we couldn’t talk. The sun wouldn’t set until 8:30. Paddle boarding. I’d take him paddle boarding. Steve had a spare. I texted Chase:

Me:Wear workout clothes.

Chase: ???

Me:Just do it. Stop needing to be in control all the time.

Chase:I lost all control the second our worlds first collided.

I put my tankini on with a pair of work out shorts over the bottoms. It didn’t take long to attach my paddleboard on the roof rack of my Jeep. I lifted up the one Steve left out back next to it. Packed a cooler with water bottles and sunscreen, made sure my car was neat and tidy before pulling out. My hair was in a French braid, but a few strands never stayed put. I was tan, proud of my toned arms and legs and when I stepped out of my Jeep, Hunter did a double take before whistling. “Legs. I’m calling you legs. Pretty boy is inside trying to figure out which workout tee makes his muscles look better for you.”

I stepped up to the porch. “I thought you were leaving today.”

“Houseguests and laundry start smelling after three days,” Chase called out. “He wouldn’t leave.”

“Why would I when all the hot girls are still here?” Hunter tipped back his long neck bottled beer to his lips.

“Who took my gran home?”

“Patrice from accounting.”

Chase opened the screen door coming out. “Sorry, I was filling Daisy’s water bowl since trust fund baby over here will probably forget. Paddle boarding?”

I nodded.

“Bro, she’s a dream girl. Lock that up.”