Her fingers tighten, bunching the fabric of my shirt.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me. I’m not even asking for us to be together, although, if that’s something you decide you want, I’ll grab on and never let go.” I grip her hand tighter, pushing it against me. “But it doesn’t matter. Call it kismet, call it fate, call it whatever the fuck you want. It doesn’t change the fact that your soul is meant for mine. Knowing you is the only thing I’m sure of.” My heart slams against my chest, trying to break through my skin to lay itself in her hands.
She leans back. “You really didn’t sleep with Lindsay?”
“That’s what you got out of all that?” I move my hand that was on her neck up to her cheek and cup it in my palm. She turns into it, and fuck, I’d spend every night for the rest of my life with just this touch, and I swear it would be enough. “No. I never slept with her. The only person I’ve ever wanted is you.”
The air thickens, weaving around us and tightening until I’m sure I’ll burst if I don’t get closer. My grip strengthens, pulling her against me. Her hands clench my shirt tighter as she rises up on her toes, rubbing her hand against the stubble on my jaw.
“Chase—” she breathes.
My eyes are locked on her mouth, desperate for just a fucking taste of her. I lean my head down, lightly grazing my lips across hers. The touch shoots a tingle through my body. Tell me this is okay, Goldi.
Her hand moves from my face to the back of my neck, fingers tangling in the ends of my hair. My stomach somersaults with anticipation.
Slam.
The sound of a crash in the living room breaks us apart. Goldi’s eyes widen as she stares at me, her hand touching her lips. She turns and runs into the living room, and I follow.
Her dad’s fallen out of his recliner, passed out on the floor. She sighs and walks over to him.
“Daddy,” she says. But we both know once he’s out, he’s out.
I want to go back to a few seconds ago, but instead of pulling her into my arms, it’s Mr. Carson I go for. By the time I get him settled in bed and head back to the living room, she’s already gone.
36
Alina
Knowing Chase didn’t sleep with Lindsay is a balm to the wounds of my heart. Maybe I shouldn’t believe him. After all, it’s easy for someone’s words to be just that. Words. I should know, I’ve been a sucker for Chase’s a million times. But it’s exhausting trying to hold on to the anger after all these years, especially when all I’m really searching for is peace. Plus, he’s not the same boy I once knew. He’s changed, grown. Probably more than I have, to be honest. He’s seeing a therapist. That’s more than I’ve ever done, and Lord knows I could use one.
I called in sick to work on Tuesday, unable to face Chase after our almost-kiss. I did send him a text asking him not to come to Daddy’s that night, and even though I wasn’t sure he would listen, he did. The real kicker is that I missed him when he wasn’t there. I guess it serves me right for avoiding him. Somehow, he’s wormed his way back into every single piece of me, and I don’t want to fight it anymore.
I’ve decided I’m not going to.
Work isn’t the best place to air all of our dirty laundry, so I’m hoping he’ll come back over to Daddy’s tonight and we can talk after dinner. I haven’t even thought about how I’m going to tell Jax or Becca. Seeing as how Jax still isn’t talking to me, I figure that’s something I’ll worry about later. I’m a little nervous about their reaction, but it doesn’t really make a difference either way. Chase makes me happy. He did back when we were kids—before things went to crap, and I know deep in my bones he’d make me happy for the rest of my life if I would only let him. It’s like he said—we’re meant to know each other.
The butterflies flop around in my belly as I pull into Tiny Dancers and see Chase’s truck. I search for him when I get inside, but I know he isn’t in the front area. The pull in the air whenever he’s near is missing.
Walking in the office, I stop short. Chase sits in the desk chair, leaned back with his feet up and ankles crossed, dark hair mussed and looking like he doesn’t have a care in the world. My heart skips at the sight of him, and so does my stomach when I think about what I’m going to tell him. That I want him. That I forgive him.
“Hi.” My nervous energy shows itself on my cheeks.
“We missed you here yesterday.” His eyes laser into me as he walks around the desk. “Missed you last night, too.”
He’s close. My heart speeds up, beating so hard it’s bound to burst out of my chest any second. “I just needed some time to think.”
I don’t have to be looking at him to feel the way he’s taking inventory of my body. I took extra time getting ready this morning. I hope he notices.
“You planning on keeping me away again tonight?” His voice is low. Sexy.
I raise my face to his as I shake my head no. He steps in closer, the tips of his shoes brushing against the closed toes of my pumps, his chest grazing against me with every inhale.
“So you’ve had enough time to think?” he rasps.
My mouth dries as the energy crackles between us. My insides are on fire, the heat between my legs threatening
