CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“I DON’T NEED to eat again until Friday.” Chase tugged the seat belt away from his too-full stomach.
“It’s only Monday,” Nichole said.
“I had three helpings of turkey, too many scoops of mashed potatoes and an extra piece of apple pie.” And way too much fun with Wesley, Nichole and her grandparents. Time was forgotten like it always was with his own family and he’d enjoyed every minute as if he was a part of Nichole’s family too. Chase motioned to the back seat. “And Grandma Marie sent me home with an oversize to-go carrier with leftovers.”
“She’s worried I won’t feed you.” Nichole stopped at a red light and glanced at him. A smile in her voice. “After all, she knows I don’t cook.”
“But she’s going to teach me how to make her piecrust.” Chase pulled off his sunglasses and tucked them inside the case. Supper had extended into the early evening and now the sunset hovered. “That recipe has only been handed down from mother to daughter each generation, you know.”
Nichole’s nose scrunched up. “I can’t believe she’s willing to alter a family tradition for you.”
“I promised her I’d teach her how to make pasta.” And he’d promised both her grandparents that he’d watch over Nichole. Always. That vow had been rather simple to give as he wanted to protect Nichole. Even if he wasn’t with her, he wanted to know she and Wesley were safe. Still, more and more he preferred being right beside her.
If he stayed too long, he might start listening to his heart. Might be tempted to believe his heart—his love—could be valuable to her. But his love had never been worthwhile. Not even for his own father. Love required too many conditions. He’d find better ways to keep his promise and watch over Nichole and Wesley. “Grandma Marie and I made an even trade. And we both agreed to let you taste-test our creations.”
“You had no choice.” Nichole laughed.
The whimsical sound soothed Chase like the balm Mallory always encouraged him to use. He was full, not only from Grandma Marie’s feast, but also from the day itself. A day spent with those he cared about. He adjusted the seat belt around his shoulder and watched the sun dip lower. Now he’d return to his house and only hope he was full enough to displace the emptiness that waited for him.
“How’s your shoulder?” Nichole asked.
“Ready for ice and JT’s acupuncture needles.” Although his therapy session would need to wait until tomorrow morning. It was going to be a long, long night. “Any chance you might be willing to put together one of your infamous ice packs? My freezer is empty.”
“I’ve got an array of frozen foods at my house.” Nichole glanced at him with concern on her face. Worry coated her words. “How bad is it really?”
“Let’s just say the rope wall and mud crawl were two of the worst decisions I’ve ever made.” Chase grimaced at the reminder of the obstacle course.
“Even worse than paragliding off the cliff?” Nichole added, “Or cave diving?”
Chase nodded. At least in cave diving he hadn’t gotten injured and only suffered a mild case of the bends. And in paragliding he’d been lucky, and the wind hadn’t swept him back into the cliffs, only farther out over the ocean.
“Say no more.” She pulled into the parking lot of a grocery store and parked the truck.
“What are we doing?” Chase unbuckled his seat belt.
“You’re waiting here. I’m getting ice pack supplies.” Nichole opened the door and leaned back inside. Her smile brightened the dim cab. “Still like cookie dough ice cream and popcorn?”
“Definitely.” Chase wondered how he’d get used to not seeing her smile every day. “Why?”
“We’re having a movie night at my house.” She shut the door before he could protest.
Not that he would have. At least not much. He wasn’t ready to return to his house with only the pain in his shoulder for company. Besides, he couldn’t recall the last time he’d indulged in a movie and ice cream night. He definitely hadn’t spent an evening at home with his past dates. But something about Nichole made him want to settle into the evening with only her beside him.
His phone rang, disrupting his unusual thoughts. He’d never wanted to sit at home. Never. He answered the call and greeted Drew Harrington. Outside, he watched Nichole work her way around several cars and head toward the truck. He relayed the information Drew requested, thanked him for his assistance. He ended the call before Nichole opened the back door and dropped the grocery bags on the seat.
Nichole bounced into the front seat, her eager words tumbled across the console. “Vick just called. They want to know if we can meet them in an hour at Sapphire Cellar to discuss the next steps and some contract details.”
Chase willed the dull ache in the back of his skull to recede. Drew had just requested Chase give him a day or two to look into Fund Infusion. Then he’d asked Chase not to entertain any meetings with Fund Infusion until Chase had heard back from him. Chase had agreed, thrilled Drew hadn’t brushed him off and had taken Chase’s concerns seriously. Meeting Vick and Glenn in an hour would certainly be considered the kind of meeting Drew wanted Nichole and him to avoid. Chase rubbed his forehead as if the motion would conjure a good explanation for Nichole.
“Chase.” Nichole’s hand landed on his thigh.
Chase closed his eyes. Tried to ignore the warmth and kindness in her touch. He should tell her about his phone call with Drew Harrington. He should tell her about his wariness of Fund Infusion. He should admit how much he really cared about her. He curled his fingers around hers. “Sorry.”
“It’s your shoulder, isn’t it?” Nichole clenched his hand. “We need to get home.”
As if they shared a home. As if they had taken vows to protect, love and cherish. To put each other first. “What
