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Surprised by the admission, I narrow my eyes at him. “Kids suck.”
“Yeah. Big time.”
“Don’t settle for jerks as friends, Jake. Just don’t. And call me if you need something. I’ll be in touch about Ryan.”
He turns his face to look at me. “I can go?”
“Yeah, you can go. Stay out of trouble.”
He gets up to leave and then turns back to me. “I guess you’re not so bad.”
“That’s high praise coming from you.”
He does grin now, and then he jogs away, and I pull my phone out once more to call my brother.
“I hear you’re arresting old ladies today,” he says by way of answering.
“Yep, that’s why I’m calling you. I’m hauling you in.”
CHAPTER NINE
SUMMER
Ifrown as I check my watch and realize that it’s past the usual time that Chase has lunch brought in. Not that he’s under any obligation at all to do so, but I know he mentioned bringing it himself today, and I’d love to see him, even if it’s for a few minutes.
It seems that after one night of amazing sex and snuggles, I’m addicted to the man.
“Why do you keep checking your watch, darling?” Aunt Paula passes me the daisies I asked for. “Are you late for an appointment?”
“No.” I shake my head and smile over at her. “I’m glad you came in today. It’s always fun having you in the shop.”
“And I love being here,” she assures me just as Sharla rushes in to gather more deliveries. “I’ll help you load these.”
“I won’t turn that down,” Sharla says. “I’d like to get back out there ASAP.”
Ida and I, along with Margie, continue to build bouquets while Lily snores in her bed in the corner, and suddenly, the bell over the door rings, and Chase walks in.
He’s so freaking handsome in his uniform, I immediately begin to salivate.
“Ladies,” he says with a nod, carrying a paper bag. “I brought you all lunch.”
“All of us?” Ida asks in surprise. “You didn’t have to do that, Chase.”
“My treat today,” he says with a wink. I can see that something’s on his mind. He’s smiling and acting normal, but I can see the tension around his eyes.
“Rough day?” I ask him.
“It’s been a shit day,” he replies easily. “And I have to cancel our date tonight.”
“Okay, that’s not a problem. Do you need anything?”
His eyes soften now, and he reaches out to tuck a stray piece of my hair behind my ear.
“No, sugar, I’m okay.” Lily wakes up and sees Chase, comes jogging over to greet him, and Chase bends over to pet her. “It’s just one of those busy days, and we had a guy call off for his evening shift, so I’m covering the first half of it. I won’t be home until later this evening.”
“I’m sorry.” I wrinkle my nose. “I’ll be happy to take a rain check.”
“You’d better take a rain check.” His eyes light up when Aunt Paula walks in. “Well, hello, Miss Paula.”
