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His thoughts returned to that morning. He’d balked when Demi had announced they were going on a Segway tour through the Hamptons at four o’clock. He’d worried about aggravating his back or slipping off the motorized device, but he hadn’t shared his concerns with Demi. Hadn’t wanted to ruin the plans she’d made for their afternoon date. He didn’t know how to tell her about his horseback riding accident, or his subsequent injuries, and feared if he told her the truth she’d find reasons to stop dating him.
Chase considered the past month. His life revolved around work, hanging out with his family, and now Demi, and he didn’t want to lose her. After a lengthy discussion about the Segway tour and watching an online video about it, he’d relented—as usual. He’d do anything to make Demi happy, and he didn’t want to disappoint her. Add to that, she always planned unique, memorable dates he enjoyed.
In the past three weeks they’d tried an improv class, hiked at Shadmoor State Park, attended the Hamptons Film Festival and goofed around with his nieces and nephews at the trampoline park for hours. But yesterday Demi had outdone herself. After work, she’d dragged him to a body painting workshop and the session had been thrilling. Using fine-point brushes and UV body paint, they’d created elaborate designs all over each other’s bodies while eating appetizers and drinking Merlot. Back at his estate, they’d made love and, hours later, he could still taste the strawberry-flavored glitter on his tongue.
Chase wiped the sweat from his brow. He was smitten with Demi, enthralled by her, and he wanted her to be his girlfriend—for real. He’d agreed to their fake relationship to appease his staff and increase sales of Spark, and although he was glad it was now the top-selling dating app in the country, the best thing about the publicity stunt was getting to know Demi better.
When they weren’t out and about in the Hamptons, they were texting each other or talking on the phone, but it was never enough. If Chase had his way, he’d spend every night with her, playing chess, working out in his home gym, watching foreign films and making love, but since he didn’t want to scare Demi off, he kept his feelings bottled up inside.
“Are you two trying to shake me?” Chase teased, joining the women at the intersection. “Is that why you zoomed down the block without a backward glance?”
Yu Yan wore an apologetic smile. “Chase, I’m sorry. I was so busy yapping with Demi about summer fashion trends I didn’t even notice you’d fallen behind.”
“Feeling good, babe? Having fun?” Demi reached over and rubbed his shoulder. “If you need another break, just say the word.”
“Are you implying that I can’t keep up with you? That I don’t have enough stamina for this Segway tour?” he asked, faking a scowl.
“No, but when we stopped at the café for lunch, Yu Yan said you were favoring your right side, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
Leaning over, Chase kissed Demi’s forehead, the tip of her nose then her lips. “Never been better,” he whispered against her mouth. “As long as I’m with you, I have everything I need.”
Demi beamed. “You’re the best fake boyfriend I’ve ever had, and an amazing kisser—”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
The sound of her giggles warmed him all over and Chase realized how much his life had changed since meeting Demi in Ibiza. He felt lighter, happier; instead of working fourteen-hour days, he left the office every night by five o’clock to meet up with Demi in the city. He’d never dated a livelier, more optimistic woman and every day with her was an adventure.
The light changed and they crossed the intersection, chatting about the next stop on their tour. They traveled along Main Street and stopped to explore the quaint stores and shops in the quiet, tree-lined neighborhood. He’d lived in the Hamptons his entire life, but Demi was a newcomer and Chase enjoyed seeing the city through her eyes.
Chase adjusted his sunglasses. Sunshine rained down from the sky and the warm breeze carried a savory scent. Deciding to check out the museum, they perused the impressive collection of artwork in the spacious, well-lit building. Yu Yan left to make a phone call, but Chase suspected the tour guide wanted to give them some space.
“The African American exhibit is outstanding and definitely worth sharing,” Demi said, her eyes bright.
Chase swallowed a groan. Oh no! Demi had documented every second of their date on social media, from the moment they’d arrived at the tour office to buying lattes at the museum snack shop, and Chase wanted her to put her iPhone away.
Pain stabbed his side but he wore a blank expression on his face. He didn’t want Demi to notice and start asking questions about his health. To his relief, she sat on one of the padded benches and drank from her metal water bottle.
“I’m glad you convinced me to do the Segway tour.” Chase joined her on the bench. “I’m having fun and I’ve learned a lot.”
“You think this is fun? Wait until we go skydiving!”
“Skydiving,” he repeated despite the lump in his throat. “You want to go skydiving? When?”
Demi cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. “Next Sunday. I mentioned it to you last night in bed.”
“You did? I don’t remember.”
“I’m not surprised. You drank a lot of Kahlúa last night, and dozed off several times during the movie,” she teased, linking arms with him. “I can’t wait! Char and Esmerelda went skydiving a few weeks ago. They said the views of the Atlantic Ocean are incredible, and I want to experience it for myself...”
Chase blew out a deep breath. Hanging his head, he rubbed his neck to alleviate the tension in his muscles, his mind working overtime to find the right words.“Demi, I can’t go skydiving with you.”
“Why? Are you afraid of heights? Don’t be. You have nothing to fear. I’ll be right by your side.”
“No, that’s not it. I have chronic back pain and my doctor advised me against doing extreme sports because it could exacerbate my condition.”
Her eyes were sad and a concerned expression covered her face. “Chase, I’m so sorry to hear that,” she said, tenderly stroking his forearm. “What happened? Were you in a car accident? Where you injured playing football with your brothers?”
“No, I got hurt horseback riding...” Noises filled the air, drawing his attention across the room, and he trailed off. Couples were laughing, families wandering around, and two elderly men in raincoats were speaking loudly in German. The museum was crowded and Chase didn’t want anyone to overhear their private conversation.
