He clears his throat before answering.“I specialize in woodwork—furniture and smaller creations.”
Our eyes meet and my breath catches in my throat.His skin is bronzed and stubble shadows his jawline.Wearing faded denim jeans and a plaid shirt, he is the embodiment of the sexy cowboy.
“So, you’re both a musician and a craftsman?”Kelly is already making her way over to him.“Such impressive skills!”
“Thanks.”Chase’s gaze leaves mine to focus on Kelly as she continues to gush at him.“I wish I had more time to work on my art, but I have a ranch just out of town that I run.”
The question slips out of my mouth before I can hold it back.“What happened to your dad running the ranch?He used to be in charge there.”
A shadow passes over Chase’s face, sadness lingering in the depths of his dark eyes.“My father passed away a few years ago, so I had to step up and take over.Otherwise, we would have lost the ranch.”His attention shifts towards Kelly.“It’s been in our family for generations.”
Kelly expresses her sympathy, placing a comforting hand on his arm.
I have to stop her.
She can’t flirt with Chase like this, especially not in front of me.Every time she bats her eyelashes at him, it feels like nails on a chalkboard.
“Kelly, could you wait for me outside?”I ask her, hoping she’ll take the hint.
With a frown, she turns to face me.
“I’ll just be a minute,” I say, gesturing towards Max waiting near the glass door.
“Oh, okay,” Kelly mutters as she walks by.
I swallow hard, the weight of all our unresolved issues hanging over me.I had hoped to avoid running into Chase in this small town, but fate seems determined to bring us together.I sigh, resigning myself to the awkward conversation that needs to happen now.I take a few hesitant steps towards Chase, who still stands frozen in place.
“We keep seeing each other.”I try to say it as a joke, but it falls like a dead weight between us.
“Yeah, small town,” he says.His voice hasn’t changed; it’s still deep and throaty, reminding me of all the moments when he confided his secrets and dreams.
I take another step closer, grateful that the shop is empty so no one can eavesdrop on us.“I was wondering if you were still here.You never left?”
He shakes his head slightly.“I moved away for a little while, but then I came back.Not like you, though.You really made it big.”
“Yeah, well, for a while at least.”I shove my hands into the pockets of my jeans and glance around the shop.“Did you really make all this?”
He finally steps out from behind the table and cautiously approaches me.“Yep.Went into carpentry after high school, and we opened this place a couple of years ago.”
“You were always so skilled with your hands.”I instantly regret saying it, but my words bring a small smile to his face.“I’m glad you kept playing guitar.You always had a lot of talent.”
He waves in my direction.“And now you’re here to play for us.I’m surprised you’re staying for so long.”
“It was only supposed to be a quick appearance, but my manager wants me to do some press while I’m here and improve my public image.”
Chase moves closer, narrowing the space between us.“I think your image is great as it is.”
My eyes flicker to his lips, recalling the sensation of them against mine and on other parts of my body.“Chase, I ...”
Before I can finish my thought, Kelly interrupts from the doorway with her phone held out.“Brendon’s on the line for you.”
“Just a moment.”I turn back to Chase.“I should probably take that call.”
“Wait, Bayleigh.”
The way he says my name sends a flurry of emotions through me.He grasps my arm gently, but his touch makes me flustered.For a moment, we just stand there, looking into each other’s eyes.He wants answers from me, but I am not ready to give them.
Then he lets go and steps back.“Have a good show,” he says.
