Page 89 of Chasing Forever

When she pulled into the parking lot of the resort, she looked around furtively for Chase’s car. She didn’t admit to Quinn that for a second, she’d hoped he wasn’t there. But his SUV sat in the same parking space as when she’d left that morning. Had he stayed there all day? Was he waiting for her?

Callie and Quinn went inside, Quinn rolling her suitcase behind her.

“I forgot how gorgeous this place was,” Quinn said, stopping to sniff the hibiscus that was growing outside Callie’s door. Then she glanced at Chase’s front door and back at Callie. “He literally lives right next door. How convenient!”

“Shhh! He might be able to hear you.”

Quinn laughed while Callie hurriedly unlocked her door and stepped inside. The sun was already starting its descent and it cast an ethereal light through the windows.

“Your room is right down the hall,” Callie said, pointing.

“I remember. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”

But will I? Callie pulled out her phone again. Nothing.

She went into her bedroom to change from the shorts and tank top she’d worn all day into a sundress she’d bought that afternoon. Thanks to Quinn, this dress was by far the sexiest one she had. The background color was a beautiful shade of blue with a smattering of large pink flowers on it. But what made it sexy was the low neckline and the open back. The color did wonders for her skin tone and perfectly matched the pendant Chase had given her. By the time she’d fixed her hair and touched up her makeup, she felt like a million bucks. She slipped on her wedge sandals and went back to the living room to wait for Quinn.

But Quinn was already there, standing in the center of the room and looking out the window. Callie assumed she was admiring the view, but when she followed the path of Quinn’s gaze, she froze.

There was Chase, hands in the pockets of his cargo shorts, presumably watching the sunset. Since his back was to her, she couldn’t see his expression, but his shoulders looked tight, his stance pensive.

Her nerves shot up a notch, and she wanted to slink out of sight. But then, as if he’d sensed her presence, he turned and looked right at her.

“C’mon, Cal. It’s time,” Quinn urged.

Swallowing hard, Callie realized she had no choice. Quinn was already moving toward the patio door, and Callie followed on wooden legs.

Quinn gave her a reassuring nod and stepped aside to let Callie open the door and go out first. The breeze was warm, and the sky was lit up behind Chase’s fine form. Their eyes met, and he smiled softly.

“You look beautiful,” he said on a whisper.

She was immediately flooded with warmth and relief. “Thank you.”

“Ahem,” Quinn inserted.

For a second, Callie had forgotten Quinn was standing there. Embarrassed, she quickly made the introductions. “Chase Edwards, meet my best friend, Quinn Larson.”

They shook hands, and Quinn gave him the once-over. “Callie’s told me all about you,” she said with a knowing smile.

“Uh-oh,” Chase replied with a charming smile of his own.

Quinn giggled. “All good.”

“Whew!” he said, pretending to wipe sweat off his brow.

Callie watched their interaction with a twinge of jealousy. Not because she thought they were flirting with each other, but because of the ease with which they carried themselves. She could take a lesson from them. Then again, maybe she was being too hard on herself.

She’d accomplished a lot since coming to Kauai, including writing a new book, jumping off a cliff, wearing a bikini and sexy sundresses...and perhaps the most courageous thing of all—falling in love.

“Looks like a beautiful sunset tonight. You arrived at the perfect time,” Chase said congenially.

“I was here with Callie and her family before,” Quinn said. “The sunset is even more spectacular from the beach.”

“We could all walk down there,” he offered.

Callie appreciated that he was trying to include Quinn, though she was anxious to be alone with him.

Quinn glanced over at her and said, “You know what? I’m kind of tired from traveling. Why don’t you and Callie go ahead?”