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Demi gasped. “You’re a computer geek? No way. I thought you were a model!”
Chase chuckled. Demi was great company, full of energy, smiles and jokes, and it felt as if they’d known each other for months rather than an evening. “I’m an app developer and an internet entrepreneur,” he explained, feeling compelled to defend his career. His brothers teased him relentlessly about being a nerd, but Chase couldn’t imagine ever doing anything else. “I have the best job in the world. I love working with computers, and creating apps that people enjoy.”
“I’ll take your word for it. I’m a free spirit, who craves spontaneity, so sitting inside an office all day would bore the hell out of me, especially on a hot, summer day.”
“I’m not surprised. Like most millennials, you crave nonstop action, but hopefully as you get older you’ll learn to slow down and savor every moment.”
Demi whistled. “Oh wow, you’re smooth. Your girlfriend’s a very lucky woman.”
“I don’t have one. I’m single and available—”
“Sure, sure, that’s what they all say. I bet you’re a player with several girls on standby.”
“Just because I enjoy the company of attractive women doesn’t mean I’m a player.”
“Of course you are. You have females fighting over you in nightclubs!”
Takin
g a swig of his whiskey, Chase realized one night with Demi wasn’t going to be enough. Likeable, and witty, she was easy to talk to and had an opinion about everything. Not to mention, she was a bombshell. Drinks tonight and dinner tomorrow, he decided. And maybe if I play my cards right, she’ll spend the night.
“Chase, just admit it,” she quipped, her tone matter-of-fact. “You don’t want to settle down. You want to hook up with as many women as possible, as soon as possible.”
“That’s not true. And when I’m in a relationship, I have no problem being faithful.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
Chase adjusted his collar then tugged at his sleeve. “Why? Because I’m sexy as hell?”
Her face lit up when she laughed. “No, because you give off a bad-boy vibe and my intuition is rarely wrong.”
“It is this time. I’m the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. I’m a perfect gentleman.”
“Then why did your last relationship end? What went wrong?”
A lump formed inside his throat. Whoa! Pump your brakes! We just met! He wasn’t ready to bare his soul just yet. “You first. When was your last serious relationship?”
“A while ago.” Demi stirred her cocktail with the miniature red straw. “We wanted different things out of life, so we called it quits. End of story. Your turn.”
Dread pooled in his stomach. He spotted Jonas marching across the dance floor and straightened in his seat. What did he want? Was he coming to make a play for Demi? Was he going to ask her out? Chase gripped his glass tumbler. Of course he was. He always did. They had a love-hate relationship their friends and family didn’t understand, but they’d been rivals since childhood and it would probably never change. “I’ll be right back,” he said, surging to his feet. “Feel free to order another cocktail while I’m gone.”
“Don’t worry. I will!” Demi took her cell phone out of her purse. “Geneviève’s about to hit the stage and I want to be front and center for her performance, so hurry back.”
Chase nodded. Intent on reaching Jonas before it was too late, he strode toward him, wondering what his twin brother was up to. Not everything was a game, and he wasn’t competing with his brother for Demi’s attention. To prevent him from joining them at the corner booth, Chase stepped in front of Jonas, blocking his view of Demi. They were identical twins, but Jonas always got the girl. And if Chase let his guard down, he’d screw him over—like he had countless times before. “What’s up?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest. “What do you want?”
Jonas gestured to the booth with a nod of his head. “Who’s the girl?”
“None of your business,” Chase said. “I’ll meet you guys back at the hotel.”
“You and I both know that’s too much woman for you.”
“Whatever, Jonas. See you in the morning.”
He wore a sympathetic expression. “She’s not interested, bro. Better luck next time.”
The young, well-dressed crowd chanted Geneviève’s name, seizing his attention, and Chase glanced at the raised stage. The pop star, in all her celebrity glory, was dancing to her smash hit “Savage” and the club was going wild. All around him, partiers screamed and cheered.
“You’re not leaving with her, so let’s go—”
