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She’s right. I did this. I got myself a show on Netflix, taught myself to do some makeup, and survived nearly a month on the road talking to and interviewing with all manner of people.
I’ve made Chase laugh over and over again with my jokes, and with the way he’s looked at me the last couple of nights, I must have something that’s working for me.
I deserve this. I deserve him. We’re almost at the end of our adventure, and I want the happy ending so badly I can taste it.
Steeling my spine, I set my course. Chase is in the corner chatting with someone from the staff of the bar, but I’m on a mission now, and I won’t be stopped.
Benji follows me closely, but I don’t glance down at him even once. I know he won’t take offense, though. He gets it. He has to get it.
If I don’t seize this moment—if I don’t give in to the burn in my chest and the temptation in my heart in a moment like this—I never will.
And I don’t want to look back in twenty years and wonder if my own story could have had a happily ever after if I’d taken my nose out of my books long enough.
With determination and pure adrenaline driving me, I weave my way through the crowd—past my drunk and happy parents, past my previous editor, past my sister watching from the corner—and walk right up to Chase, who’s just ending his conversation with the manager of the bar.
His attention comes to me right away, and without hesitation, his eyes light up.
That’s the final boost of confidence I need.
“Chase, can I talk to you for a bit in private?”
He nods, and the manager steps away with a smile. “We’re all set anyway, Mr. Dawson.” She looks to me. “Enjoy your night, Ms. Baker.”
Fingers crossed, I will.
Chase takes my hand and pulls me inside the doors that lead to the indoor section of White Limozeen, and then he walks me around the bar to the other side of the room. It’s much quieter in here, and that’s both good and bad for a woman who’s trying to fill that gap in noise with the single most important three words of her life.
I take a deep breath as Chase pulls me to a stop and turns me to face him. For a minute, all I can do is study the man on my mind.
Swooped, perfect black hair, brilliant white teeth, hard but forgiving jaw, and the sweetest smile that seeps all the way into the pretty blue of his eyes. He’s wearing a navy velvet suit coat, a black shirt, and black dress slacks, and he’s still only as handsome as he normally is.
Funny thing about perfection—it’s hard to beat.
Add the fact that he hasn’t even once tried to rush me during this whole perusal, and I’m officially convinced that I’m doing the right thing.
Complication or not, I’m in love with Chase Dawson. And I think it’s about time that I told him.
“Chase…”
“Brooke.”
I nod. Okay, okay, get on with it.
But maybe…maybe just a kiss first.
Rolling up to the tips of my toes, I take his face in my hands and his lips under mine. He reacts swiftly, putting his hands to my hips and fusing my body to his while I run the tip of my tongue along the length of his. He groans at the sensation, and my head spins with arousal.
I can hardly make myself stop, but when I do, I’m winded and out of breath. He holds me close, putting his forehead to mine, and remarks teasingly, “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about? Because I could say a thing or two myself.”
Laughter rolls between us as I rock my forehead back and forth on his. “No, actually. That was a split-second decision.”
“Okay, then. Those are good, too. Let’s make more of those.”
“Chase!”
“What?” His smirk is addictive. “You need me to take the lead? Because I can definitely take the lead. Pretty sure I proved that in Chicago.”
I set him away with a snort and a shake of my head and then point with a finger in his face. “You. Stay right there while I tell you this. No sudden moves.”
He chuckles incredulously. “You kissed me!”
“I know. But now I’m trying to tell you something, and if I don’t get it out now, I don’t know if I’ll get it out ever, and I have to get it out. I have to before it eats me alive.”
“Okay. What is it?”
“First, I just want to thank you for…well, everything. But especially tonight. I’ll never get over this as long as I live, and I don’t know that I’ll ever feel this special again. You just… You’re the best.”
He smiles so big, his cheeks threaten to leave his face. It’s beautiful. He also tries to open his mouth to speak, but I put a hand over it just in time.
