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“I am Chase.” Jake and I dropped our hands. He extended his hand out to Mariska.
Mariska examined him with shrewdness I hadn’t taken for granted. “Mariska.” She took a step forward and they gave each other that confident, business-like handshake. For a second, she slid me a look from the corner of her eyes. Afterwards, she walked near Brianna.
“Great to finally put a face to the voice I’ve talked to,” Mariska told Brianna. They’d said hello to each other a few times when Mariska had called while I was with Brianna. I knew this was a little awkward for all of us, but I think it was less awkward because I had my two girlfriends talk to each other gradually. “Thanks for taking her on.” Mariska made a face, which seemed to lessen some of the nerves Brianna may have had as her shoulders dropped and her face spread into a smile. “I know it’s not easy, but you’ll find that Beth’s okay.”
I hit Mariska’s arm. “Shut up.”
“And I am Jake.” He shook hands with Chase and half-grinned at Brianna and pulled in a deep breath. “Smells good in here. What are we cooking?”
“About to grill burgers after I wash my hands,” Gavin answered as he sauntered over toward us. “You grill?” he asked Jake.
“Yup. If I didn’t cook, these two girls would have starved most of the their lives.”
Gavin motioned with his head like he wasn’t surprised to hear that. Mariska and I couldn’t say anything about Jake’s statement because it was true. “Can Jake throw down?” His gaze darted over to Mariska.
“Yeah,” she admitted. “He can, but I bet you could teach him a few things.”
***
We were eating in the backyard when Brianna came back with Joel and Rylan, who accepted the plates Gavin fixed for them. Joel placed his dish between Mariska and I, gesturing me to make space for him. “I am Joel, and it is very, very nice to meet you.” He took the ketchup and slathered it on each side of his burger, smacking the buns back on.
“Likewise,” Mariska replied politely.
“And I am Rylan.” He waved his hand and began eating.
Jake introduced himself to Joel and Rylan as he went to discard his plate. Rylan took a seat by the sliding doors. Gavin and Jake worked well together. They had a similar grilling technique. Jake was impressed that I’d remembered how he seasoned meat. But I had to give credit to Brianna for doing it with me, or we all would’ve been choking on our burgers.
I cocked my gaze over to Chase, who wiped his mouth with his napkin and rubbed the back of my neck.
“You’ve got a spot,” Chase said, his eyes focused on my lips.
“Then take care of it,” I told him, and he licked the barbecue sauce on my lips, going in for a kiss.
We heard groans and I felt my face break out into a wide smile.
***
“I can give you two time alone,” Brianna said with the door half closed.
“Come back in,” Mariska said with the shake of her head. “Please. This is your room and we want you to stay,” she insisted as she crossed her long, pliable legs on the carpeted floor.
Brianna came back in and took a cute little antique wooden chair and sank down on it as if it were comfortable. Once the boys started talking about the hottest new Victoria’s Secret model at length, Brianna and I’d decided to take Mariska to her room.
“Does Chase have a brother?” Mariska asked with the curl of her lips. “Because maybe his generosity and looks run in the family.”
“Hmm…ummm,” Brianna joined with an equally devious expression. I felt the pink tinge creep on my face, flaring out onto my neck.
I rolled my eyes at them. “He does have a brother, but they don’t talk,” I said, instantly wishing I hadn’t had a case of loose lips. I had a strong feeling that Chase wouldn’t have liked that I’d said that. I’d thought he was going to put the breaks on our conversation earlier this morning, which was why I hadn’t asked him more questions.
“Why not?” Mariska said with a downturn of her face.
“I can’t go into it.”
Brianna instantly looked indifferent, or she may have hid her interest well. She knew that Chase was a sensitive button for me, and it wasn’t because we’d only been friends for a month. If Chase wanted Brianna and Gavin to know about him, he’d tell them.
“Don’t tell me you dropped your panties before he told you anything about himself,” Mariska remarked.
I leveled my eyes with her. “Don’t be a bitch,” I warned her. It was wise that she didn’t make a comment about Chase’s scar, because I didn’t think I’d be able to let that pass.
