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“Chase. Well, aren’t you handsome in your uniform? How are you?”
“Now that your niece has agreed to finally put me out of my misery and date me? I’m great, thanks.” He smiles over at me, and I feel heat spread through me. I’m not embarrassed. I’m pleased. “I’d better get back to work. There should be enough sandwiches in there for everyone.”
“Thank you.” I walk around the counter to join him as he walks to the door. “I’m sorry your day turned into a bit of a mess, especially after we had so much fun last night.”
“It’s part of the job,” he replies easily. “And it’s not that bad, just…unusual. Maybe there’s a full moon or something.”
“I’ll have to check on that.” I boost up onto my toes and offer him my lips, not caring in the least that my entire staff, plus Aunt Paula, are watching us raptly. And Chase doesn’t disappoint. He wraps his arms around my waist, dips me back, and plants his lips on mine in a kiss that belongs in a sexy movie.
And when we pull apart, the other ladies applaud.
“Bravo,” Ida calls out. “Bravo.”
“That’ll have to hold me over,” he murmurs, staring down at my lips. “I’ll call you later.”
“I can’t wait.”
He plants one more on me, and then he pulls away and walks right out the door, and when I turn back to the others, they’re grinning widely. Sharla, who hasn’t left yet, pumps her fist into the air.
“Girl, that was a kiss,” Sharla says.
“He’s really good at it,” I admit and press my lips together, still tasting him there. “And yes, as you heard, we’re dating. It’s new, and it’s fun.”
“Good for you,” Aunt Paula says and frames my face in her hands. “It’s about time you had some fun, my darling.”
“Well, I am having a good time.” I chuckle and open the brown bag, surprised at the stack of sandwiches nestled inside. “There’s definitely enough in here for everyone. Maybe two for everyone. I hope you’re hungry.”
“He brings—or sends—lunch for Summer every day,” Ida informs my aunt and waggles her eyebrows. “He’s discovered what her favorites are, and he makes sure she eats.”
“Oh, that’s lovely,” Aunt Paula says, her hands crossed over her chest. “I just love a man who pays attention to his girl.”
We’ve just dug into the bag, with a couple of the sandwiches to spare, when Polly hurries in.
“Why aren’t you in your shop?” I ask her.
“I’m taking a break,” she says and leans on the counter, breathless. “I locked up for a hot second because I had to run over here and talk to you.”
“Okay, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She shakes her head and then reconsiders. “Well, that’s not true. I caught some kids shoplifting and called the cops. Chase showed up and took care of it and left with the one boy that I didn’t press charges against, Jake Hunter.”
“Poor Jake,” Aunt Paula says. “That poor boy has been through so much.”
“I know,” Polly says with a nod. “Well, Chase escorted him out, and I figured he’d lecture him, of course, which he should. But then, I had a question for Chase, and I hurried out after him to see if I could catch him, and I overheard him talking to the kid, and I just have to say…”
She pauses for dramatic effect, and I’m on the edge of my proverbial seat.
“Holy shitballs. Jake called Chase dude, and Chase said, ‘You may address me as Chase or Mr. Wild, but you will not call me dude again.’ And it was hot as fuck, Summer. I’m telling you right now, you need to give that man a chance because he made me tingle, and I’m not even into him like that.”
“Oh, you haven’t caught Polly up,” Ida says with a laugh. “She’s giving him a chance, honey.”
“WHAT?” Polly stares at me, stunned. “Drinks, The Wolf Den, tonight. I won’t take no for an answer.”
I haven’t even had a chance to get a word in edgewise. “My evening just conveniently freed up, so I can do that. I’ll have to take Lily home first, and then I can meet up with you.”
“I’ll take that sweet baby home with me,” Aunt Paula says with a smile. “I’d love the company. Besides, it’s almost the weekend, and you’ll be too busy for her anyway. She can hang out at the cottage with me for a few days and chase butterflies while I work in the garden.”
I started taking Lily to Aunt Paula’s house on the weekends during wedding season because it’s not fair to leave Lily alone all day. They both enjoy the company, and I think Lily considers the cottage her weekend vacation.
