Chase waited until I slid into my shorts and then grabbed hold of me with big, strong hands. “Come here.” He lifted my hips up slightly, pulling me toward him on the bed and wrapping his arm around me.

Brows knit together, I studied him. I was more than a little confused.

“I feel like I’m leaving you hanging.”

He shook his head. “Not at all.”

“But you didn’t—”

Chase caught my eye, stroking my hair. “It’s not a hockey game, James. I’m not keeping score.” He kissed my lips softly. “But if I was, I’d definitely want you to win.”

26. chick flicks

CHAPTER 26

CHICK FLICKS

Bailey

I’d never been proven wrong about so many things in such a short period of time. Or been so happy to be wrong in the first place.

After kissing outside the truck at his place, inside the truck, and outside it again, Chase walked me to my front door and wrapped me in a big hug. I inhaled his scent, relaxing against the warmth of his embrace. Everything was easy with him in a way I’d never thought possible.

He pulled back, broad hands sliding down to my waist, holding my gaze for a beat, and he gave me a smile that made my knees go weak. “I’ll call you tonight, okay?”

“Okay,” I said. “And good luck this weekend.”

We lingered, looking at each other on the front step. Mostly because I didn’t want him to leave, but also partly because I didn’t want to go inside.

He frowned, expression clouding over. “You can stay at my place while I’m gone if you want.”

“Without you?”

“Yeah,” he said. “To get a break from your roommates, I mean. Shiv will be there alone, so…” He shrugged. “She would probably like the company.”

“Actually, we did make plans to get together for dinner.”

He raised his eyebrows. “For apartment hunting? That’s awesome.”

“To talk about it more, at least. Maybe make a list of places to check out.”

The idea of moving out was such a relief that I fantasized about it all the time lately. Right now, I was all but relegated to my bedroom when Jillian and Amelia were home. I had eaten more meals at my tiny desk than I could count. Though after our confrontation the other day, they had given me a wide berth. If I was in a room, they wouldn’t even enter. But I practically needed a coat and gloves to weather the chilly atmosphere.

In Jillian’s case, she was probably treading carefully because she didn’t want me to tell everyone what I knew. Maybe that was the case with Amelia too. Seemed like everyone was complicit in their little web of lies.

“See?” His face brightened, a smile peeking through. “You could stick around on Sunday until I get back. It shouldn’t be too late. Probably shortly after lunch.”