“What are we going to do about the board?” he asks. “We’re in this together, remember? How do we look like a real couple?”
He’s right. I stop to think about it for a minute. “They want us to look like a real couple, right? I guess I could ignore you and shoot down all of your suggestions. That’s what my parents do.” I know I’m being a smartass, but right now it’s all I’ve got. “What do your parents do?”
His face lights up. “Kaylee, you’re a genius.”
I look at him with deep suspicion. “You really want to go with bickering and pretending we don’t hear each other the first six times?”
He looks both gleeful and undaunted, despite my sarcasm. “My parents’ favorite thing to do together is evaluate real estate.”
I blink at him. What the hell is he talking about? “You want to go house hunting?”
“Yes, let’s. I’m sure there are some spectacular beach front properties in this area.” He crosses to where he has a laptop next to a kitchen nook across from the couch. “We’ll start first thing tomorrow morning. And we’ll need a real estate agent. I’ll let the driver know we need him in the morning. We’ll need a mortgage broker to certify any cash offers. There’s so much to do.”
I watch him for a second. It’s crazy how much fun he’s having with this whole real estate thing. I’m happy for him.
And I’m guessing that house hunting, even the fake variety, will probably be fun with a limo and a Covington. There are worse things to do with a day than tour ocean front property.
“Sure. I’m a genius. Because that’s exactly what I meant. If you’re good for a while, then I’m going to go, okay? I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”
He turns to me. “What?”
“I told you. I’m going out with my friends, see you in the morning. Carry on with all of your fun new projects.”
“But you have to sleep here,” he protests. “The last thing we need is photographers following you to your apartment and asking questions.”
I grit my teeth. He’s right. There goes my plan to have a little bit of peace and quiet. “Well, I need my clothes, Chase.”
He crosses the room. “I can fix this, you need clothes. Not your clothes. Right?” He eyes me up and down in a way he hasn’t done since the first night we met.
It does things to me. Specifically, after making a play to become boyfriend material. My body is turning traitor again, and I take a deep breath to steady myself.
He finishes sizing me up. I just didn’t think he meant literally. “What size are you then, a ten?”
I see red and grab a nearby napkin and throw it at him.
He laughs. “I kid, I kid. But seriously, I’ve seen a lot of you the last couple of days.”
His smirk brings out the dimple, and he’s awfully close now. Close enough to kiss me. I inhale his scent and think it’s about time he got to his point.
“And I’m convinced you’re a gorgeous size six. Am I right?”
Huh. Surprisingly, he is right. “Yes,” I look up into his eyes. “That’s right. But when will you have time to go shopping?”
Chase turns and walks back to his breakfast nook home office. Then he opens his laptop. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything.”
I slip out the door.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chase
Kaylee walks out the door. I have so much to do. We’re a great team. She helped me get the idea for real estate, and the more I think about it, the better it is. Nothing makes a splash with a board of directors like good, old fashioned, equity.
Eye on the prize. I smile, guessing that paparazzi photos of the two of us house hunting in the local news will do the trick for the board. Hell, this town is growing on me more by the day. There’s no downside to adding beachfront real estate to diversify of my portfolio. And it ups the stakes in the eyes of the board. Hopefully. Win-win.
For a moment, I imagine Kaylee and I having cocktails together out by a pool when I come to visit. Whoa. I shake my head.
The one thing I have to do now is to focus on what’s going to help me win. And that’s not going to happen if I keep getting distracted by Kaylee. Shit, Chase. Stop thinking about her. You have work to do.
I turn my attention back to the computer and start looking up real estate agents. Then mortgage brokers. Then I do a quick scan of the local market. This is how I can distract myself. And it’s working.
I let myself run down the real estate rabbit hole. It feels comfortable. It’s what I do. Risk analysis, cost analysis, obtaining the correct support system for the acquisition. This is exactly what I need, a power move right when the board thinks I’m most vulnerable.
And clothes. I nearly forgot about ordering Kaylee some new clothes.
Chapter Thirty
Kaylee
I set off to meet my friends, excited to put some distance between me and Chase. Lines are getting blurred, and I’m worried that my feelings for him are getting real.
The restless feeling gets even more intense, and I find myself picking up speed until I’m sprinting across the sand.
As I approach, I’m breathless and thirsty and snacky again. Finally, I see the Tiki. A beacon of hope and normalcy.
Even from afar, I can tell the paparazzi is still using my bar as ground zero for their escapades. I’m not happy about it at all. In a way, the bar isn’t big enough for them and me. But I know that they aren’t going anywhere, and neither am I, so I’ll just have to deal with it.
At least my friends are here and at our usual table. That makes me feel a little better.
“Hi, guys!” I huff, breathless, as I slide into the empty seat. My favorite drink
