Now that I said all of that I worry that I shouldn’t have continued the thought out loud. Oh boy. I give him a sheepish half-smile. “All I’m saying is, nobody ever said love has to have good timing.”
The fear that washed over his face cleared when I add the last part. Then I see his face light up with another idea. “Good timing. Proving love. I think you’re on to something, Kaylee. And you’re right, we never said we weren’t a new couple. So, we’ll own it when we’re confronted tonight. We can set the mood, and at least have control of the environment. And we are engaged. You have a ring and everything. They’ll try to poke holes in our relationship because it’s so new. But we have control over their surprise now.”
We sit in silence a few more minutes before Chase jumps back in. “You know, I’d feel better if we had one more thing in our favor. It doesn’t have to be enough to change everybody’s minds, it just has to balance out the gotcha that they think they have.”
I sit up. “Oh, what about the house you just bought? That proves that you’re buying real estate and settling down. That’s something, right?”
I could see the excitement on Chase’s face. “Kaylee, you are absolutely right.” He grabs and dials his phone. “If I already have the offer in writing before the meeting tonight, that should be pretty convincing.”
“Hello? Fred? I need that offer paperwork emailed to me right now. Yes, that’s right. Which property? 7823 Hyacinth. Okay, I’m going to fill it out and then I need it back within the hour. Stop laughing, I’m not kidding. Yes, seriously. Within the next hour.” Chase listens for a moment before he jumps back in. “Okay, Fred, make it happen. Talk soon.” He hangs up.
I’m only half listening now. He’s right, they will probably try to poke holes in the idea of us as a couple, and rightly so. But in my estimation the entire thing comes down to a he and she-said, they-said situation and who’s to say which one is right?
For the first time today, I start to feel more confident about Chase’s situation. And the timing couldn’t be better for him to get this meeting tonight with the final decision tomorrow.
I have to admit I’m going to miss some of this. As I glance around, I know for sure that he’s not going to miss the bargain basement beach toys. But the image in my head of him carrying them through the resort still makes me smile.
I sit up again. “Oh yeah, I almost forgot, can I have my phone back?”
He grins and hands me my phone. “I truly couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I know,” I answer, accepting my phone.
Chase leans back in his chair. “The meeting’s going to happen in my suite, tonight at eight. Oh, I know, we should order expensive take-in and be looking over furniture catalogues and pictures when they come in.”
“I like it. And we should be drinking champagne. Let them know that we’re celebrating the offer on the house, like they caught us in a private moment.”
“Nice touch,” he laughs. “I’ll get a hold of the concierge.”
My work here feels like it’s done. For now. I lay back again in the lounge chair and let him take care of the details.
Chapter Forty-Two
Kaylee
After showering off the summer sun, I rifle through the wardrobe I dragged over to Chase’s suite. As I look over my clothes, I wonder what outfit says casually drinking champagne and celebrating cute beachfront property when rudely interrupted by a virtual impromptu board meeting?
I grab the red dress. When in doubt, always choose the red dress. It’s understated enough to be believable for dine in or take out, but dressy enough to be celebrating. It’s perfect, since in addition to all of its other charms, it also happens to be really comfortable.
“Almost ready?” Chase calls. There’s a hint of nerves in his voice.
“In a second,” I call back.
“You said that ten minutes ago,” He complains.
“Stop rushing me. We’ve got plenty of time.”
“What if Liam and Ashley come early?”
“What about the food and champagne?” I inquire as innocently as I can, trying to redirect his attention onto something else.
“The food came fifteen minutes ago,” he answers.
My stomach growls and I decide that I am indeed ready. I walk dramatically out of his bedroom and into the living area. “Ta-da.”
Chase is already sitting on the couch facing the beach. There’s a beautiful spread of lobster and steak and lots of mouthwatering side dishes on either side of the table. In the middle of the table, open folders of real estate documents, pictures, and furniture catalogues form an impressive display.
He holds up a glass of champagne for me. “This is for you, my darling.”
I accept the glass. Then we toast, clinking our glasses together.
“You look wonderful, Kaylee. Thanks for your help today.”
Now that I’m here, he looks confident and relaxed. Almost like he’s preparing for a victory lap. I think it’s kind of premature, but the cockiness looks good on him.
“I will admit I doubted your plan at first, but it worked beautifully.”
“Of course my plan worked. So, now what? We sit here and eat and pretend to look at the pictures?” I get comfortable on the couch and eye the food. My mouth waters, especially when I check out the lobster. It all smells delicious.
“Now we can eat and actually look at the pictures,” he counters. “It’s a big decision, real estate. That’s why it should help us turn the tide.”
“Sounds good,” I say, cutting into my steak. I chew for a moment and savor. The food is fantastic. There’s also a salad and baked potato. Yum.
I check my watch. It’s ten after eight. “They’re late. Think they got cold feet?” Not that I mind, the food and champagne are
