Page 65 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

ROSE

“Mom, are we going yet?” Kyle hollers from the living room, the impatience clear in his voice. All he’s been talking about the whole day is the fair and all the rides he wants to do, and the sweets he wants to eat.

“Patience,” Chase chastises gently, his voice coming out muffled through the closed door. “Girls need time to get ready.”

“But she’s taking so long!” Kyle insists. “We’ll be late.”

“I’ll be there in a few,” I call out, sliding into my dress.

“Just take your time,” Chase reassures me. “There’s no hurry.”

Nerves twist my belly. We’re going out. Together. In town. A date. I don’t remember the last time I was on a date. I forgot how nerve-wracking it can be. And this is a date with Chase we’re talking about.

I bite the inside of my cheek as I struggle with the zipper of my dress until it finally gives in.

Smoothing my hand over the material, I inspect my reflection in the mirror.

The thin straps lead to a fitted bodice that makes my breasts swell over the top, with a midi skirt that has a deep slit on the side.

With every step I take, the floral skirt moves, revealing my thigh.

For a second, I wonder if the sundress is too much, but I bought it recently because it made me feel pretty. And today I want to be pretty for Chase.

I apply a little bit of gloss to my lips before grabbing my purse. Checking I have everything inside, I go for the door.

“Okay, I think we can?—”

The words die on my lips as I look up and find both of my boys huddled together in the living room.

They turn around, and my heart does a little flip inside my chest at the sight of them together.

They’re both dressed in matching jeans and blue shirts.

Chase’s is long-sleeved, the material stretching over his broad shoulders just right to accentuate his toned muscles.

The sleeves are rolled a few times, showcasing his strong forearms.

“Sweetheart…”

His voice is a low gravel that makes goosebumps rise on my skin. Those hazel eyes flare, his irises growing darker as he takes me in, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. The intensity in his gaze makes my stomach clench.

Kyle jumps to his feet, a smile spreading over his lips. “You look so pretty, Mom.”

“Thank you. You’re handsome, too.”

Kyle grabs the flowers from the coffee table and comes to me, giving me the bouquet. “For you.”

I blink at the flowers. “What is this?”

From the corner of my eye, I can see Chase get up. I glance at him to find that intense gaze locked on mine. The gold flecks shine brightly in his hazel eyes, and a shiver runs down my spine.

“Flowers, duh. They’re for you.” Kyle extends the bouquet toward me. I wrap my fingers around the small bouquet of lilies, my favorite, inhaling their sweet scent. “Chase says you need to bring flowers when you’re taking a girl out on a date, and we’re taking you out on a date. Right, Chase?”

Chase hums in approval. “That’s right.”

Kyle’s chest puffs out proudly, and I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me. “Well, they’re really pretty. Thank you. I have the best dates in all of Bluebonnet.”

My words make Kyle’s grin grow even bigger. “Does that mean we can go now?”

I bite the inside of my cheek. This kid will seriously be the death of me.

Chase places a hand on Kyle’s shoulder, drawing his attention. “Why don’t you go put on your shoes?”

Kyle nods and is off in a flash, leaving me alone with Chase, who’s still watching me intently, as if he can’t look away. “You look stunning.”

Color rises up my neck at the compliment as he hands me his own bouquet—a matching one to the one Kyle gave me. “You clean up very nicely as well, Mr. Williams. And thank you for the flowers, you didn’t have to.”

Chase’s hand slips around my waist, pulling me close as he lets out a low hum. “I wanted to. You deserve flowers. You deserve it all.”

Warmth spreads through my chest as those serious eyes lock on mine. Slowly, so impossibly slowly, he lowers his lips, brushing against mine in a gentle kiss. I slide my free hand around his neck as he pulls back, a low, needy whimper coming out of my lungs.

“I’m done! Are we going?” Kyle’s question has us pulling apart. My son looks between us and rolls his eyes. “You can kiss later. We need to go now!”

Chase and I exchange a look. He shakes his head. “You heard the man.”

I manage to put the flowers in a vase before we leave the house, so they don’t wither before we get back. Kyle and Shadow slip into the back seat, while Chase holds my door open for me.

The drive into town seems to take forever, and finding a parking space is almost impossible.

Bluebonnet is packed with locals and tourists alike, not surprising considering people love events like this.

Thankfully, we manage to snatch a spot as somebody is leaving.

My phone buzzes just as Chase parks the car, so I pull it out and check the message.

“Becky says they’re running late since Jackson was sleeping, but they’ll meet us here,” I say as I send her a reply.

“Sounds good. Wait.”

Chase gets out of the car, walks around it to my side, and opens my door before doing the same with Kyle.

“I need you to stay close,” I tell him. “There are a lot of people here, okay? You have your medical alert bracelet?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“You can hold onto Shadow’s harness.” Chase points out the handle on Shadow’s vest.

“Okay.” Kyle nods, his hand curling around the handle, while his other hand wraps around mine as we start walking toward the main street.

Chase’s fingers intertwine with mine, the warmth of his body seeping into me from behind. I spot a few familiar faces as we pass by the stands.

The street is extremely busy with pedestrians, and I try my best to keep my eye on Kyle, so I don’t see when somebody bumps into me, making me stumble, but Chase’s arm wraps around my middle, holding me to him, his lips brushing against my ear. “I’ve gotcha.”

“Thanks.”

Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Tyson are with a few of their friends, sitting at the tables by the food trucks. Both women grin, Mrs. Miller going as far as winking. I wave at them in passing just as one of their friends leans down to gossip.

I glance over my shoulder. Chase’s face is serious as he scans the space, his body stiff. I’m not sure if he’s tense because of the crowd in general or because of the attention that’s on us.

I place my hand over his that’s on my belly, and his gaze falls to me. “You good?”

Chase’s throat bobs as he swallows. “Yeah.” His lips brush against the top of my head, and I can feel him inhale deeply. “I’m good.” When he pulls back, his attention shifts to Kyle, who’s watching us intently. “Where do you wanna go first?”

“Yes!” Miguel fist pumps and turns around, pointing his finger at Rebecca, who’s chuckling softly. “That’s what I’m talking about, baby. I still got it.”

“Still acting like a teenager, too,” Rebecca teases, but he’s not the least bit fazed as he winks at her.

“But you still love me.”

Rebecca shakes her head. “That I do.”

The guy behind the stand glances at her. “Lady wants to pick out the toy?”

Miguel points at a stuffed animal. “We’ll have that one.”

The guy’s brows quirk up in surprise. I can’t say I blame him; it’s probably the ugliest one of them all, to the point I’m not even sure what it’s supposed to be exactly. A monster of some kind? It’s a weird green color and has only one eye.

“Thank you.” Rebecca extends her hands for her present, but Miguel hides it behind his back. “What about my prize?”

She rolls her eyes at him, but her fingers curl around his shirt and tug him closer.

I avert my gaze just as their lips meet, my gaze shifting to my boys, who are currently the ones shooting baskets.

Kyle is watching Chase intently as the ball falls through the net, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

He tugs at Chase’s arm and signs something to him.

Chase nods, taking a step back so Kyle can slip in front of him.

Chase is so patient as he explains to Kyle what to do, his hands covering Kyle’s as they lift the ball together and shoot, the ball slipping easily through the hoop.

“Rose?”

The hair at my nape rises at the sound of my name.

Shit.

I bite the inside of my cheek.

Maybe I heard wrong? Or there could be another Rose. Yes, tha?—

“Eva said she thought she saw you, but I told her I’d have known because you’d have let me know.”

So much for my luck.

Slowly, I turn around. “Hey, Mom.”