Page 65 of Chasing Forever

A few minutes later, when things had quieted down some, she ventured a peek over the top of her book. Chase was standing in the shallow end of the pool, but he was looking at his whoever and trying to convince her to get in the pool.

“It’s not cold,” he said. “Come on in.”

“I will in a few. I want to read for a while.”

“You can read later.”

“Just a chapter or two. I promise.”

He muttered something and then dove underneath the water and swam across to the deep end of the pool.

Callie was intrigued, and for a moment, she forgot her plight. Whenever somebody talked about reading, she got a thrill. It was like belonging to a club, and she was an avid member. She couldn’t help lowering her novel a bit more to see what Chase’s whoever was reading.

She glanced over, and her mouth fell open. She’d recognize that book cover anywhere—it was one of hers! In her excitement, she accidentally fumbled her own book, and it fell to the ground with a thud. The noise probably wouldn’t have alerted the woman, but when Callie leaned over to pick up the book, the chair went with her. The next thing she knew, she was sprawled on the ground next to her damaged novel, and the chair was tipped on its side.

“Ohmigod! Are you okay? Here, let me help you up,” Chase’s whoever said, offering her hand.

Keeping her head down, Callie replied, “No thanks. I’m fine.”

“But you’re bleeding.”

Sure enough, she’d skinned both knees, and they were bleeding like she was a little kid who’d fallen off her bike.

“Callie?” Chase rushed up to them, dripping wet.

Oh no. It can’t possibly get worse than this!

“Callie? Callie Cooper? The author?” The woman gaped at her, seemingly having forgotten about her bleeding knees.

“Let me help you,” Chase demanded and practically pushed the other woman aside.

“I’ve got it,” Callie hissed.

But Chase ignored her. Placing his arms under hers, he carefully lifted her to her feet.

“Don’t just stand there. Fix her chair!” he barked at the woman.

Nice way to talk to your new girlfriend, Callie thought and scowled at him.

The woman had finally gathered her wits and ran around to right the chair. She stood by while Chase carefully lowered Callie into it and then leaned over to assess the damage.

But it was more than her knees that hurt. How could he bring another woman around so soon? And why here, where he knew Callie might be? Was he really that insensitive? Had she misread him?

“Miranda, run inside and check my suitcase. I think I have some bandages in there. Bring a damp cloth too.”

Miranda? Why did that name sound familiar?

“Be right back,” she said and hurried off.

Callie opened her mouth to speak, but Chase beat her to it.

“My sister. Your number one fan.”

Her shoulders slumped with relief, but all was not forgiven.

“What happened?” he asked, rubbing his hands up and down her lower legs, carefully avoiding her knees.

She tried not to think about how wonderful it felt to have his hands on her again.