Liam stands. “Ready, sis?”
“Ready,” she says with her mouth full of the chocolate she stole from the box that I gave to Chase. I wonder if there’s anything left in the box at this point.
Five minutes later, the two of them leave the suite. Once we’re alone, Chase turns those sea-green eyes on me and holds my hands in his.
His expression is as soft and relaxed as I have seen since I met him, which admittedly was only a few days ago. His lips curl up into a joyous smile that extends all the way across his face to his eyes.
I turn to pick up my empty champagne glass and waggle it at him. “Should we have some more? We’re still celebrating, right?”
He breaks into a mischievous grin. “You’re right, we are supposed to be celebrating. And we’re doing it all wrong.” He grabs his cell and taps out a message while I wonder what the hell he’s up to now.
Doing it wrong? We have delicious food and champagne and we’re sitting in an ocean front penthouse suite. A ten thousand dollar a night Royal Suite. I looked it up. “What are you talking about? I think we’re doing a perfectly marvelous job of celebrating. Just for the sake of asking, though, how do you think we’re falling short?”
“Dessert,” he says.
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “I’m listening. I’m always up for dessert.”
His phone buzzes and he picks it up. “Ooh, have you heard of a place called Maui Island Treats?”
“I hear it’s amazing,” I gush, trying to keep from drooling on the nice couch. It’s supposed to be one of the best, swankiest desert places in the country.
As a pastry chef myself, I’ve studied their online menu repeatedly to try to get new ideas. I have never been, obviously. Not even when I still had my nest egg. Because who can afford to throw down sixty dollars a person for desserts? And that was before drinks. I look at my watch and shake my head sadly. “Shit, it’s like seven on a Saturday night. No way we get a table now.”
Chase holds up his phone for me. “It says our table for two is ready whenever we are.”
I squeal with excitement. I can’t help it.
We jump up and head out to the waiting limo which speeds down the main drag until it pulls up to the jam-packed, adorable restaurant that’s lined with carved totem poles. The building itself is set back up against the intercoastal waterway.
Chase jumps out and sprints around the car to open the door for me. It’s sweet.
“Thank you.”
“Of course,” he says, offering me his arm once we are out of the limo and into the warm night air. Happy Chase is somebody I could get used to. We make our way inside.
I have only seen pictures of this restaurant online, but the ambiance is fantastic, even more beautiful in person. It’s decorated with bamboo and colorful fountains. In the center of the restaurant is a giant volcano.
I’m still looking around at everything when a waiter makes eye contact with Chase. The next thing I know we are being shown to a cozy booth in the corner.
I order a Mai Tai, and Chase makes it two. Then the two of us excitedly look over the menu. The prices are insane, but the selection is amazing. Even though I’ve seen the menu online dozens of times, in person and with a guilt-free choice, I can’t make up my mind. “What do you think?” I ask him.
“I have no idea, I’m still going through the sundaes, mousses, and cupcakes. What about you?”
“Same. I have to say, the Dapper Haute Donut Deluxe looks pretty amazing.”
We are like two kids in a candy store. I decide to look around to see what the tables nearby are having and catch Chase staring at me instead of his menu. “What? You can’t possibly have already decided what to order.”
He grins at me. “Oh, no. I’m not even close to deciding. I just want to thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. Although I think your idea to throw the real estate deal into the fray offset Mark’s planned ambush nicely.”
He raises his glass. “Yes, but none of it would have been possible if it weren’t for your perfect plan earlier.”
I give a small bow of my head. “Why thank you.” Then I lean in. “Oh my gosh, did you see Mark’s face when he figured out he wasn’t going to get his way? It looked like you ran over his favorite golf clubs and then backed up again.”
Chase nods furiously. “Holy shit, Kaylee. That’s exactly what it looked like.”
I break eye contact to stare down at the menu again. My chest feels tight, and as much fun as I’m having now it feels like time is about to run out on the two of us. Because it is.
We clearly have a natural attraction. And even with all of our bickering, I feel like there might be something special between us. Something more, hiding somewhere in those sea-green eyes and that strong jawline. I’m going to miss him. I hate myself for admitting it, but I know it’s the truth. As much as I tried not to fall for him, I care about him now.
Chapter Forty-Three
Chase
I watch her excitedly look at the menu. Seeing the joy on her face and being able to make her happy does something to me. It makes me feel whole.
It also scares the crap out of me. I’m not good at actual relationships. If I were, I wouldn’t be in this position with the board in the first place.
Her brown eyes shimmer in the candlelight. Her curves drive me wild, there’s no denying it. But she is also kind, funny, and smart. And a match for me, which is really saying something. She’s unlike anyone I have ever been with before.
The situation with the board of directors is looking up now. Mark isn’t ready
