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“He dumped me while I was on tour with Gigi in Europe, but dating him taught me a very important lesson.” Her voice broke and seconds passed before she spoke again. “I learned not to waste my time and energy trying to please people who don’t accept me. Not everyone is going to like me, and that’s okay.”
“Demi, I’d never do the things your ex did to you. I’m not that kind of person.”
“I know, but your mom is. And I won’t let Estelle insult me or my family again.”
The silence was so loud it pierced his eardrums.
Sweat drenched his skin and his heart beat out of control. Chase wanted to know what his mom had done, but Demi wouldn’t give him any details. He felt helpless, as if he’d been convicted of a crime he hadn’t committed, and feared he was going to lose the best girlfriend he’d ever had.
He chased the thought away, refused to imagine his life without her in it. Her beauty was more than skin deep. In Demi he’d not only found a friend, he’d found his soulmate and confidante, and he adored everything about her. It didn’t matter how many times they made love, he was always awed by her passion. But what he appreciated most about Demi was her kind, thoughtful nature. She made everyone in her life feel special and she’d do anything to make her friends and family happy.
“Chase, I love you, but I can’t date you.”
He straightened in his seat. “You love me?”
“Ch-Chase, I’m sorry,” she stammered. “But it’s over. I can’t see you anymore.”
“You love me?” he repeated, cupping her chin in his hand. “Say it again.”
Their eyes met. He wanted to kiss the tears coursing down her cheeks, but wiped them away with his thumb instead. Desperate for her, he inhaled her scent and brushed his mouth against her lips. Happiness surged through his body, but it was short-lived.
“I can’t do this. I have to go.”
Demi stood but Chase grabbed her arm and pulled her down into his lap. She struggled against him but he locked his hands around her waist and held her tight. “You’re not going anywhere. I have a lot to say and you’re going to sit and listen.”
“There’s nothing to discuss. We can’t be together.”
“Let me get this straight. You’re dumping me because my mom doesn’t like you?” he asked, unable to hide his frustration. “Don’t you think that’s juvenile and unfair?”
?
?Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
Demi opened her mouth then closed it.
“Did you ever stop to think about how I’d feel? Or about what I want?”
“I don’t want you to have to choose between us,” she said, wringing her hands in her lap.
“I won’t have to. Estelle’s my mom and you’re my girlfriend. You have different roles in my life, and I’d never pit you against each other.” Chase caressed her cheek with his fingertips. Now that he had Demi, he had everything he’d ever wanted in life, and he refused to live without her. “I love you, Demi, and I don’t want to lose you.”
Her face lit up and she touched her chest with her right hand. “You love me?”
“With all my heart. Way more than I love Jonas.”
Demi burst out laughing and the sound warmed him all over.
“I love your smile, the way your eyes sparkle and twinkle when you’re amused, your outrageous sense of humor, and how you always know just what to say to cheer me up.” Chase brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. “We’re a team, and as long as we’re honest about what we need, and support each other wholeheartedly, we can overcome every hurdle.”
A skeptical expression crossed her face. “Even your mother?”
“Absolutely,” he said in a confident voice, hoping to put her doubts to rest. “Leave everything to me. I’ll deal with Estelle.”
“And if that doesn’t work, we’ll relocate.” Demi snapped her fingers. “I know. Let’s move to beautiful, tropical Papua, New Guinea! It’s on the other side of the world and she’d never think to look for us there. Brilliant, huh?”
Chase rocked with laughter. “And you accuse me of being trouble?”
