“Chase is the most brutally honest person I know, so at least we have that going for us.” For some reason I think of her bed bug story, the expletives that flew from her mouth during it, and chuckle. “I don’t know, Ell. It’s not something we’ve talked about. I think we’re both just trying to enjoy each other as much as we can, while we can, and figure we’ll worry about that when the time comes.”

“Avoidance at all costs. I like that in a plan.”

We both laugh and finish closing The Center for the evening, but there’s something that sticks with me as I do it, as well as on the drive home. I just openly admitted that I’ve fallen for Chase Kincade.

It’s one thing to admit it to myself, it’s another to acknowledge out loud to someone else who can make my life miserable by teasing me every time they see me.

Or just knowing about it in general.

But when I pull up to my house and see the lights on inside, I can’t help but feel content. Happy. Anticipatory.

It’s weird and wonderful and new to have someone to come home to. A warm greeting when you walk in the door. A soft hum of the TV in the background acknowledging someone is there. The subtle scent of her perfume tickling your nose.

But she’s leaving, Gunner. So what does that mean for you?

As I open the front door, I shove away Ellie’s comments. I’m here, getting to experience this when guys like Dickman and Shotgun aren’t.

I’ll take the hurt in order to experience the bliss.

No regrets.

“There you are,” Chase says as she slides her hands around my waist and presses her lips to mine.

It’s only been a few days since we last kissed because she’s been sick, but I didn’t realize how long it felt like until now. Until her tongue has slipped between my lips and since the heat of her body has pressed up against me and warmed mine.

It’s heaven and hell, and I want to dive into her in a way like never before. Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but seeing the woman you want day in and day out, showing restraint because she’s sick, is plain fucking torture.

“I see you’re feeling better,” I note against her lips, my hands on the sides of her face then cupping her ass . . . then just everywhere I can at once.

“Mm-hmm,” she says as she kisses her way down the hollow of my neck, my dick already hard and begging to sink into her. “I have a surprise for you.”

That knocks me out of the moment and I lean back to look at her. “A surprise?”