Page 52 of Chasing Forever

“Whatever.”

“She’ll be fine, and I doubt she’ll be alone for long.”

Callie narrowed her eyes at him, and he realized his mistake. “I had no ill intentions toward her. She wanted a jumping partner, and I was just being…”

“Friendly. Yeah, you said that.”

“Look, Callie…”

But he didn’t finish because she suddenly stood up. “Let’s do it.”

“Huh?” He wasn’t sure how to take that sentence, but he had a few good ideas.

“Jump. Let’s jump together.”

“Are you sure?”

“You don’t believe me.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you were thinking it. I can tell.”

“So, you think you know me that well?” he teased.

“I know some things about you.” She tilted her pretty head and smiled up at him. Is she flirting with me? No. Can’t be.

“Okay, then. Let’s do this.” He almost took her hand, but then he realized Sara was expecting him to return, and he didn’t want to look like a two-timing douchebag.

While Callie was leaning over and stuffing things back into her beach bag for safekeeping, he glanced over to where he’d left his things. Sure enough, some guy had already sat down next to Sara, and Chase was relieved.

It looked like the young ripped guy who’d been standing in line behind them on the cliff. Figured. But Chase could have hugged the guy because now he could concentrate on Callie, which was where his mind had been all along.

They trudged through the sand to the trail, and as they neared Sara, Callie said, “Do you want to stop and say something to her?”

This woman never ceased to amaze him. Even though she’d obviously been jealous, she couldn’t help being polite. It was in her nature, and it was one more thing he admired about her.

“She looks pretty busy,” he replied watching the muscle-bound guy lean in and say something that made Sara laugh. Sara glanced up at Chase and Callie as they came closer, but she just nodded and went back to talking to her new friend.

“I guess you’re right,” Callie said.

Once they reached the beginning of the trail, he paused and turned to look at her. “You don’t have to do this, you know? You don’t have to prove anything to me.”

She punched her hands on her hips, and said, “I’m doing this, and you can’t stop me.”

He laughed, loving when she got sassy with him.

“Okay, then. Let’s go.”

He took her hand to help her up the path, but really, he just wanted an excuse to touch her. She didn’t pull back and he was grateful.

He felt like they were starting over or picking up from where they’d left off. He wasn’t sure which, but it felt damn good.

Chapter 25

Callie couldn’t believe she’d done it. “That was amazing!” she said as she and Chase walked up the beach together. Sara and the muscly guy were gone, but Chase didn’t comment on it. He was completely focused on her, and she had to admit it felt damn good!

“Aren’t you glad you did it?”