Page 64 of Chasing Forever

If only he hadn’t driven away. Then she’d have gone next door and apologized. But it was late, and who knew when he’d come back? Finally, she got up and took the glasses to the kitchen. A few minutes later, she crawled back into bed, the sheets still warm and smelling like him. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, knowing she was in for a restless night.

Two days later, Chase still hadn’t returned to his condo, and now she’d become concerned. What if he’d been so blinded by fury that he’d gotten into a car accident? He could be lying in a hospital bed somewhere, and she’d have no idea. They’d never exchanged phone numbers, and she doubted he’d have asked the hospital personnel to contact her anyway.

There was also the possibility that he’d left for home, but wouldn’t he have come back for his belongings first? None of it made sense, but she was determined to find him. First, she called the local hospitals, which turned out to be a dead end—thank God. Next, she went to the resort office and asked if he’d checked out.

Initially, the woman at the desk was reluctant to give out any information, but when Callie said she feared for his safety, the woman folded. She clicked a few keys on her computer and then said, “He hasn’t checked out yet.”

Afterward, Callie wasn’t sure what to do other than contact his law office, but she nixed that idea. She’d hate to unnecessarily get his family into a panic over his whereabouts. Maybe he’d decided to explore one of the other islands. It would be a quick hop by plane to any of them, but wouldn’t he have wanted to pack a bag first?

She hadn’t known him that long, but he didn’t seem like the type to want to wear the same clothes for three days. She considered calling Hawaiian Airlines to ask if he’d booked a flight, but even if he had, then what? She didn’t plan on chasing after him, and how would she find him anyway?

After lamenting to Quinn, she realized there was nothing more she could do. Quinn’s theory was that he’d slunk away with his tail between his legs and soon he’d return to grovel at her feet.

But Callie didn’t need him to grovel. She just wanted to know he was safe, and after that, she’d leave him alone if that was what he wanted.

As she suspected, her writing came to a screeching halt. She sat in front of the laptop each day and tried to write something, anything, but nothing felt right. She’d type a few sentences and delete them, type and delete, until finally, she’d walked away in frustration.

She was angry but mostly at herself for letting Chase’s disappearance affect her so much. If he didn’t want to be found, he wouldn’t be, and she needed to accept that.

Finally, on the third day, she decided to stop wallowing and do something to distract herself. She hadn’t wanted to stray too far from the resort in case Chase reappeared, so she settled for going to the pool.

She put on her black one-piece because who was she trying to impress? Then she packed her beach bag with the usual supplies, slipped on her flip-flops, and headed out.

It was another glorious day, with brilliant blue skies, a slight breeze, and comfortable temperatures. As she walked to the pool, she realized she’d been taking the pleasant weather for granted. All too soon, she’d be back in Michigan, and even though it would technically be spring, they could still be hit with a snowstorm.

Determined to enjoy the day, she went into the pool area and selected a lounge chair that offered some shade. So far, she hadn’t gotten sunburned, but she didn’t want to risk it. After she set down her bag and settled into the chair with sunglasses on and book in hand, she glanced around the pool deck.

There was the usual variety of people: families with children, some elderly folks, and a few singles. In the opposite corner from her, she spotted Sara and the muscly guy who had replaced Chase that day on the beach. Sara was sitting between his legs on the lounge chair, and her friend was massaging sunscreen onto her back.

Callie watched them for a few more minutes, sure that Sara wouldn’t even recognize her without Chase. Besides, she was too focused on the guy she was with, which was as it should be. Seeing them together made Callie a tad envious. What she wouldn’t give for Chase to be rubbing lotion on her right then, or rubbing something else…

Then, as if imagining it had conjured him up, she spotted him opening the pool gate, cool as you please, like nothing in the world was wrong.

She almost bolted out of her chair, but then she talked herself out of it. She didn’t want to cause a scene at the pool with all these witnesses. Besides, he might not even want to talk to her.

Then he stepped through the gate and held it open for someone else to come in behind him.

Callie stiffened. It was a woman, of course. A young, attractive woman with medium brown hair, a curvy build, and a pretty smile. She was looking up at Chase and beaming, and jealousy struck again.

Who was this woman, and where had she come from? Callie hadn’t seen her around the resort before, not that she’d seen all the guests, but she was pretty observant. This woman was someone who would have stood out.

Her brain was awhirl with emotions, and she wasn’t sure which one it would land on. She sank further down in the chair and held up her book to block her face. She was glad she’d put her hair in a ponytail and was wearing a ball cap. It had been a last-minute decision, but now it might help disguise her. She hugged her knees to her chest so he wouldn’t recognize her bathing suit and shoved her beach bag under the chair. It was the best she could do on short notice.

It was mid-afternoon, and the pool deck was getting crowded. There were a few empty chairs near her and two next to Sara, but she doubted he’d choose to sit there.

Then she heard Sara’s voice. “Hi, Chase! Come over and meet my boyfriend, Josh.”

Callie lowered her book some and saw Chase reluctantly walk over to them with his new lady in tow. He shook hands with Josh and then introduced them to his whoever, but unlike Sara, he hadn’t spoken loud enough for Callie to hear.

It was obvious Sara had forgiven Chase for ditching her that day. Too bad I don’t forgive that easily, Callie thought.

Sara motioned to the empty chairs beside her, but Chase shook his head and turned and pointed across the pool.

Did he see me? I hope not! Callie held up her book again for added insurance.

Funny how her body was so in tune with his already. She felt his presence as he and his guest came closer, and then she heard them plunk down in the empty chairs in her row.

They were separated by a couple with two young children who were playing and talking loudly. Callie prayed the kids would provide enough of a distraction to keep Chase from noticing her. Good thing she’d gone to the bathroom before coming to the pool. She didn’t plan on getting up from the chair unless she absolutely had to.