“Well, I think it’s nice you two are still friends. And your mom’s still in Kitty Hawk?”
“Yeah, she’s doing really great.” Tyler’s smile grows wide, his chest rising with pride. “Started dating when I left for college and met a nice guy. They’re pretty serious, but it’s good. He’s good to her.”
“Oh, I’m glad.” Only a few years have passed, but as weird as it is, I didn’t realize how much everyone would have moved on. Without me. And I know nothing about the people I care about—not in the ways I used to. I always understood this would happen, I just didn’t expect it to hurt.
Chase helps the teens lift the last of the chairs into the truck bed, then turns to meet my gaze. “Well, we should take off.”
“Sorry I didn’t get here sooner. I would’ve helped you load up.”
“It’s okay. I put the kids to work.” Chase opens his arms, and brings Tyler in for one of those half hug, half back-pat things men do. “I’ll be back for more chairs this afternoon.”
“Cool.” Tyler lifts his hand in a wave. “Nice to see you again, Miss Martin.”
“You too, Tyler.” I smile. “Tell Bailey hello for me the next time you see her.”
“Will do.” He takes the dolly Chase used to haul the chairs and heads back into the center.
Chase walks past, opens the passenger door, and holds it for me to get inside. “You ready?”
Am I ready to be cooped up next to a man who’s doing funny things to my heart and making me question every big decision I’ve made? Absolutely not. But with one foot in front of the other, I climb into the cab, averting my gaze so it doesn’t collide with Chase’s as I buckle up. I worry if I look him in the eyes, he’ll be able to see past my defenses. He always could.
“So.” Chase clears his throat once we’re on the road again. “What did you think of the teen center?”
I wonder if he’s fishing for a compliment, but when I sneak a glance and find him clenching the steering wheel, I realize it’s coming from a place of genuine interest. “I love it.” I can’t find it in myself to be anything but honest. “That place is exactly what every community needs.”
Chase exhales, his fingers relaxing their grip on the wheel as his mouth widens with a smile. “Did Mav tell you it’s funded strictly on donations?”
I shake my head. “No, but he did say you hired him to manage the center, and that you are the reason it even exists.”
Chase rolls his eyes, shaking his head. “I had the idea, but a lot of people worked their asses off to see it come to fruition.”
“Humility.” I lean back into my seat, and crinkle my brow. “It looks good on you.”
Oh, God. Am I flirting?
“Yeah, well.” Chase chuckles, his eyes on the road. “I guess they were wrong. Old dogs can learn new tricks.” He’s using humor to deflect. I recognize it because it’s a coping tactic I’ve reached for many times.
“I think it’s amazing what you’re doing—not only for the teens, but for Maverick.”
His face sobers and at the stop light his gaze drifts to mine. “It’s the least I can do.” Understanding passes between us, born of past conversations. There are no words needed to express the depth of Chase’s remorse for what happened to his best friend.
The light turns to green, and Chase’s focus returns to the road. The ring of his cell phone sounds through the truck’s speakers, Jill’s name flashing across the dashboard screen.
“Hey, Jill.” Chase says after tapping one of the buttons on his steering wheel. “You’re on speaker.”
“Hey, Jilly,” I say, still a little unnerved by how close he and Jill seem to be. I was so worried about how they might not accept him—or us dating—and yet, it appears that anxiety was for nothing.
“Hey!” Jill says. “Just checking in to see how everything’s going. Did you get the tables and chairs?”
“They’re en route to the venue.” Chase flashes me a grin, his eyes rolling. “But you probably already know that because you’ve got me on that tracking app.”
“It’s a family security app.” She scoffs. “And you consented.”
“What do you need, Jill?”
“I was hoping you could swing back here after you make the drop. We’ve got more stuff that needs to go to the venue and Cam and I still need to get our wedding license.”
“Cutting it a little close.”
“I’ll bribe you with lunch.” She draws out her plea.
“Deal,” Chase answers immediately, earning a laugh from Jill.
“Alicia, you should come too,” Jill extends the invite. “We’ll have plenty.”
“Thanks.” My stomach grumbles in agreement. I check the time on the dash to see it’s already after one. We were at the center longer than I thought. Matthew will be going down for his nap soon. While Jill walks Chase through a few more requests, I tune out, using my phone to send a text to Simon to see how they’re doing.
He answers a few seconds later.
Simon: Passed out and happy.
The caption includes a photo of my sleeping boy and my heart squeezes at the sight.
Me: He looks so sweet like that.
Simon: All the outdoor play is doing him good.
Me: He’ll probably sleep a few hours for you.
Simon: How’s everything going?
Me: Fine.
Simon: Just fine?
I picture his raised eyebrows and huff out a breath of annoyance. I am not having this conversation over text. Or this close to Chase. I glance up to see we’re pulling onto my parents’ street.
Me: I have to go.
Simon’s response of a few laughing emojis causes me to roll my eyes as I tuck my cell back into my bag.
“Everything okay?” Chase asks.
“Yeah, just checking in.”
“Matthew’s doing okay without you?”
“I work full time. He doesn’t know a life where I don’t
