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ChapterTen
Hallie
Staring at myself in the mirror, I ran my fingers through my hair. I sighed as I studied my reflection. I had plain light-brown hair with a subtle sheen to it. I was doing that ridiculous thing where I tried to make it look styled without looking like I put any effort into it. I rolled my eyes. I turned my attention to my glasses, contemplating if I should stick with the blue frames or change them. I decided to stay with the blue frames.
I buttoned one of the buttons on my shirt and then unbuttoned it again. Wearing a silky blouse over a fitted tank top was a typical outfit for me because it was comfortable while still being sort of attractive. I couldn't decide how high up I should button my blouse. All the way up didn't make sense, but—
The doorbell rang. “Fuck,” I squeaked.
With no more time to obsess over my appearance, I hurried down the hall. I had a small apartment in downtown Anchorage. The main room was a big rectangle with an angled ceiling and windows with a view of Cook Inlet. The kitchen was set to the back, and a short hallway to the side led to my bedroom and a bathroom with laundry.
Stopping in the living room in front of the door, I realized at the last second that my feet were still bare. My painted purple toenails looked up at me.
I took a breath and smoothed my hands over my jeans. I was actually sweating. I was usually cold, but pregnancy made me hot. On the heels of another breath, I opened the door.
“Hi,” I squeaked.
Chase’s lips kicked up into a smile, and my belly went wild, spinning with butterflies and sending tingles all over. “Hey, Hallie,” he said, his voice low.
He sounded calm, the opposite of how I felt. My pulse was galloping. I cleared my throat, trying to take another breath, but not getting much air. I stood there, frozen in place.
“Can I come in?” he asked.
His eyes dipped down to my bare feet, and my cheeks got even hotter when he lifted his gaze to meet mine again. “I haven't put my shoes on yet,” I explained pointlessly. “Obviously, come on in.”
I laughed to myself, the silly moment breaking through my anxiety. I stepped back, and he walked in. I watched his gaze scan the space. “Nice apartment.”
I shrugged as I closed the door. “It's just me, so I don't need much space.”
“It feels like you have plenty with the high ceiling.”
He walked to the windows, sliding his hands in his pockets as he did. I took the moment to surreptitiously look him over. He was wearing a pair of black jeans, faded and comfortably molded to his muscled thighs. The sun was starting to lower in the sky, offering a gorgeous view of Cook Inlet with the colors shimmering on the water.
“Beautiful,” he commented.
He wore a long-sleeved Henley atop his jeans. I absorbed the way his shoulders filled it out. Chase was built, but then it wasn't as if I didn't know that. I'd felt his muscled back under my palms when I clutched him against me as he filled me and sent me flying.
I swallowed, my cheeks flashing with heat again when he turned around. I was still just standing there by the doorway, stuck in place. I shook my head, saying, “Let me get my socks.”
I hurried down the short hallway into my bedroom, sliding on a pair of lightweight socks before returning to the living room and crossing to where he politely waited by the windows. I glanced up. “How was the drive?”
“It's a pretty drive from Willow Brook to Anchorage and really not that far.”
“I suppose it isn't. I just haven't been to Willow Brook much.”
“Had you ever been there before we met?”
I nodded. “Once or twice. I usually go to Diamond Creek if I need a getaway from Anchorage.”
“Oh, yeah. You mentioned your brother lives in Diamond Creek, right?”
I nodded. “He moved there a few years ago.”
“It's beautiful down there. I've been to the ski lodge.”
“Oh yeah, that's a nice place. I'm not that great at skiing, though. I stick to the bunny slopes.”
Chase’s teeth flashed with his grin. “I prefer the backcountry trails. We should go sometime.”
