Page 5

CHAPTER 5

CHANCE

The evening breeze is a little cool, reminding me that we’re not into summer yet. I stand at the door with anticipation. After all, I saw her this afternoon, but in a crazy way, I’m already missing her. As soon as I left here, I wanted to turn around and never leave. Whatever this is, it’s hit me hard and in a new and weird way, I’m okay with that.

The door opens, and before me is a goddess of every man’s dream. Her beauty makes me burn in ways I’ve never experienced. It’s like she could take me down to my knees and I would gladly stay there for her. Worshipping her.

Alanis is utterly and entirely breathtaking.

The sinful curves.

The bright red hair.

The classic red smile.

A pinup girl if I’ve ever seen one. I want to have portraits done of her. She’s just completely stunning and every man will be turning their heads to watch her.

I work to let my jaw drop as I take her in. My heart aches at the sight before me.

I kick myself for leaving earlier today without saying goodbye, but the call was about an opportunity in Chicago for a station to do their five o’clock sports during the week. It’s the call I’ve been waiting for in my career. It’s the job. The one that can make or break my career.

I have to fly out in two days to do the interview. My gut churns.

Is it fair to start this when she’s here? Could she move?

Her ninja skills are bound to be flexible. I mean she can fly herself places. That’s like a superhero skill.

Her career choice impresses me. I didn’t know airplane repo was even a thing, but apparently, it is. Knowing she does something so different and charged with uncertainty, I’m highly turned on by it. She’s a little dangerous. And I like it.

But would she consider moving when Matty’s here? Her whole life has been here in Everville. When their father died five years ago, Alanis was still in college. Matty vowed he’d be in this small town until she left. He’s devoted to her, and she’s devoted to him.

Her job and flexibility are both a blessing and a curse. It allows her to go when needed, but we’d also have to be apart for a week at a time.

I step into the doorway, “You’re gorgeous,” I whisper into her ear.

A shiver makes her slide against me. I hold in a smile at her reaction.

Good. She’s affected too.

“Thanks.” She turns her head a little and whispers into my ear. “You clean up kinda nice yourself.”

I could listen to her whisper sweet nothings in my ear all night long. Preferably with a little breathlessness.

Slipping my hand behind her neck, I lower my head and tell myself not to kiss her, so I only dot a brush of a kiss to her forehead and then my stomach growls. Loudly.

Her soft laugh weaves itself around me. “Are you hungry for me, Chance?” She sucks in a deep breath.

My cock twitches.

She stiffens. “I didn’t mean….” Her face burns red.

I lean closer, my lips a hair’s width away from hers. “I’m starving, but… Alanis, let’s get some food first .”

Pulling myself away, I step out of the doorway and watch her as she moves out of the house and locks up.

“You know, it’s forty-five minutes up the mountain to get to Das Rhineland,” she mentions while biting her lip.

I stop. Shit. I can’t wait that long. “Oh… how about the ramen place on Main?”

A beautiful laugh floats in the air. “Yeah, I like that place, too.”

Lifting my hand to the small of her back, I guide her down the walkway to my car. “Before we start, can I ask you one question?”

“Sure.”

“Would you ever consider moving from Everville?” I hold my breath. Who knew such a question would tie me up in knots? Especially for a woman I haven’t seen in three years.

She rolls her tongue in her mouth as she thinks it over. “Probably not.”

Every hope and dream withers in those two words.

I give her a soft smile. Well, then, we’ll have fun tonight, but I need to keep my head on straight. I don’t want to play around and hurt her heart.

***

ALANIS

We step into the restaurant and I glance across the room to the bar. Holland and Oaklynn teeter on bar stools, drinking happy-hour margaritas. Deadly, but you don’t realize it until it’s too late. Been there. They whoop out across the room, waving their hands in the air.

I laugh and wave back as they closely inspect Chance. I need to get this over with, or they’ll be hounding us all night, and I want to be alone with Chance.

Slipping my hand into his, electricity shoots up my arm. We squeeze each other’s fingers as we gaze at each other.

I look away first, leading him toward my two giddy friends.

“Chance, these two are my friends, Holland and Oaklynn.” I point to each dramatically and Holland smiles and looks him up and down.

Oaklynn crosses her arms. “Wait, as in Matty’s best friend , Chance?”

“Yep, the one and only.” He nods at Oaklynn, his bass voice giving me a thrill.

She plays with the straw in her drink making a very annoying squeaking noise, that she knows gets to me, but other things are also getting to me. “Interesting. Verrry interesting.”

I glare at Holland and shake my head. Holland is known for starting things she shouldn’t, especially when one of her girls is involved. She can be a little mama bear and an instigator in ensuring the people she loves get what they want.

She knows I want Chance. I want him badly. But I need to do this on my own terms.

Oaklynn asks, “So, has your fortune come true?”

My head spins to her, and I glare. My face burns hot. Apparently, she’s taking over as the ballbuster of the group.

Tequila does really weird shit to people.

Holland smirks at me as if she’s proud of her little understudy in meddling.

“What fortune?” Chance asks, his hand squeezing mine with a soft hand kiss.

Oaklynn leans toward him, “Oh, it said?—”

“We better get to our table,” I say over her while squeezing Chance’s hand. I’m buzzing that he held my hand the whole time.

Chance smiles down at me. “Alright. It was nice meeting you, ladies.”

I glare at my friends over my shoulder but let Chance lead me away.

“Hope to see you again, Chance,” Holland yells, not caring that we’re in the middle of a crowded restaurant.

I’m thinking of leaving and going for German food right about now.