A rush of exhilaration ran through me, like when a rollercoaster suddenly plunges down a steep drop. It was excitement, effervescent and bright, mingled with hints of fear.

Two minutes later…

Bailey: Speaking of the front door, can you do me a favor?

Chase: What kind of favor?

Bailey: Not that kind.

Chase: Dammit.

Bailey: When you get here, can you come to the front door?

Chase: And say hi to my BFF Morrison? It would be my pleasure.

14. as a friend

CHAPTER 14

AS A FRIEND

Bailey

Nineteen minutes later, after I’d done a significant amount of frantic pacing, hair fluffing, and generalized freaking out, the doorbell rang. I bolted out of my bedroom and ran down the stairs, tripping on my own feet halfway down and nearly wiping out.

Not that I was nervous or anything.

Unlocking the front door, I swung it open to find Chase wearing a white tee that hung off his frame perfectly and a pair of broken-in jeans. He looked like a walking cologne advertisement. It wasn’t fair for one person to be so attractive all the time. Everyone should have bad days. I definitely did.

“Hey.” He flashed me a smile that did something decidedly non-platonic to my body.

I grinned back at him like an idiot, because I was a little panicked. And oddly short of breath. This entire scenario was surreal; a little like playing with fire while sprinkling kerosene on top to keep it interesting.

Then I remembered to actually speak. “Hi.” My eyes fell to the large brown paper delivery bag in his hand. “What’s…?”

Chase glanced down, like he’d forgotten what he was holding. “Oh, a delivery guy gave me this as I was coming up the stairs. Then he bolted,” he said, expression apologetic. “Said they paid online already.”

Oh, so it was a triple dinner date too. How cute. Vomit.

“There is zero chance I’m delivering that by hand,” I said. “I’ll yell for one of them. Come in and give me one sec.” I waved him inside and slipped into my leather boots, quickly tying the laces.

Before I could call for anyone, footsteps echoed, and Amelia came around the corner. “I heard the doorbell. Is that our—” She stopped short when her eyes landed on Chase.

Not a second later, Satan himself appeared, clad in dark-wash jeans and a pale blue polo with his hair slicked back. He stood next to Amelia with a gleam of malice in his eyes that made the usual shade of blue go ten times colder.

“I thought I heard someone.” Luke took in the brown paper bag Chase was still holding and smirked. “You pick up a part-time job, Carter? Always good to have options for when you don’t make the league.”

“Yeah,” Chase deadpanned. “I applied to be a giant dickbag first, but they told me you already filled the position.”