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Taking one last look in the mirror, the fitted silver dress is sitting in all the right spots on my body. The scoop neckline shows off my cleavage nicely and the low back leaves plenty of skin on display. The black knee-high boots just set off the outfit. I could put my coat on upstairs, but if I’m going to do this, I may as well get the full effect. Plus, I’m so flustered I feel like it’s a hundred degrees in here tonight.
Looking at the time on my phone, I see it’s almost seven o’clock. Knowing that Chase will be here any moment, I open the door to leave my room. I’m half expecting Jordan to be camped outside it to make sure I don’t leave. The apartment is quiet and I remember the girls are out tonight. Maybe if I’m quiet I can get away with sneaking out and avoiding the confrontation. Without thinking, my shoes give me away, as I’ve never been good at walking softly in heels. I make it to the bottom of the stairs in the foyer when the message comes through; Chase is downstairs waiting and offers to come up if I need him. Which is sweet but would also make things ten times worse.
I haven’t heard any movement and I’m starting to think Jordan has left the apartment and not told me. Stupidly, I walk toward the living room.
He’s standing with his back to me, ramrod straight and looking out to the night lights of the city. The concerning thing is the glass of brown alcohol he is holding that looks an awful lot like scotch. Jordan never drinks hard liquor like that mid-season. I’ve pushed him past the point of being able to cope today. I’m truly regretting it now, but I can’t let him think he can control me. Not now, not ever.
Standing there staring at him, I’m unsure if I should try to talk to him, but he beats me to it. He knows I’m there, he just can’t bear to look at me. The outfit is totally wasted on him.
“Just go.” The chills run over my body at the flatness of his voice.
I know I need to keep quiet and just do as he said.
“I swear to God, Nat, if he touches one inch of you, I will kill him. That’s a promise.”
You arrogant prick. I’m not even giving you the satisfaction of an answer.
I push the button for the elevator, and it takes forever. Finally, the chime rings through the silence of the apartment and the doors open. I step straight in and keep facing the wall. I don’t want to see the lonely figure I have left behind. I might be furious with him, but he still holds my heart, and I hate that I am hurting him so hard right now. It’s like I knew way back in college when I first met Chase. I could date anyone, and Jordan would swallow it without making a fuss, but another player would break him apart. As the years went past and my friendship with Chase continued, it completely black-listed him as a potential date. Not that Jordan should get any say in my love life, but I’m not that awful. I was the one who never let this relationship happen, so I need to take his feelings into account.
The doors seal behind me, and the feeling of my stomach dropping out as the elevator starts descending has me turning around again. Slipping my coat on now, that was hanging over my arm, I draw the tie tight around my waist and pray that this night goes smooth and no drama.
Walking through the building foyer, I can see Chase standing outside the automatic doors waiting for me. He looks attractive in black dress pants, ones that fit him perfectly. A black belt with silver buckle and a black shirt that has the top couple of buttons open and the sleeves rolled up. I love the way guys do that. Take a dressy look and give it a casual twist. He has no coat on so he must be cold, but he doesn’t look like he cares. I can see the way he’s checking me out through the glass windows, not being discreet in any way.
The doors open and he’s right there, leaning down and kissing my cheek, then he takes my hands and stands back.
“Holy shit, Nat, there is no way you are my little hometown girl tonight. You look stunning.” I can’t help blushing at the compliment. I wonder what he’ll say when he finally sees what’s under the coat.
“Thank you, and you don’t look too bad yourself.” I’m tempted to call him Big Foot, but I don’t want to encourage him.
“Shall we?” He slides his hand onto the small of my back and moves beside me, steering me toward his car. I should have guessed he has something flashy. The Lamborghini is sitting in the waiting area in front of the building, bright red with all the flashy black trimmings. Low and sleek and nothing like what Jordan has, who in conversation told me he drives a Range Rover, a big and classy understated car compared to this. Xavier would be drooling all over this car in front of me. He might not be into having a fancy car for himself, yet over the years, the luxury cars have grown on him. This one he would definitely be impressed with, I’m sure. Hell, most people are taken aback by seeing a Lamborghini.
Opening the door for me, Chase helps lower me into the seat, where I feel like I’m sitting on the road. These seats are designed for speed, with the racing shape that wraps around your body, so when you get thrown into them at high speed you feel safe. I click in my seat belt as he runs around to the other side of the car and jumps in with ease despite his size.
“You like the wheels?” he asks about his baby.
“How does the saying go… are you compensating for something?” I give him the smile that tells him I’m totally sassing him.
“See, this is why we work together, hometown girl. Your sarcasm and wit are nearly as good as mine.”
Totally breaking the tension, we both laugh as he roars away from the curb and down the road, opening the throttle up to try to impress me. It might work on other women, but to me, it just appears cocky.
Spending ten minutes on small talk that has totally calmed my nerves, we are now pulling up in front of Finelly’s Restaurant.
“This looks impressive.” Looking out the window, it’s obviously not a place the everyday people like me would frequent. The valet at the curb and the doorman give it away.
“I aim to please, and yes, hopefully impress.” He is out of the car as soon as the valet opens his door.
“I would have been happy with a burger joint,” I mutter under my breath so I don’t offend him.
My door opens and Chase’s hand is there to help me out, thank goodness, otherwise I would be stuck in this seat all night.
He tips the valet and gives him all the instructions, making me laugh a little. If he takes care of the women he dates as well as he does his car, then I don’t understand why he’s not married and off the market.
“Good evening, Mr. Lonigan,” the doorman says, “the hostess has your reservation arranged.” There is a sense of familiarity between the two of them, and suddenly I’m not feeling that special. I’m guessing this a regular haunt for Chase.
“Evening, Wallace, he new?” he asks, pointing his thumb up over his shoulder at the valet behind us.
“Yes, sir, but don’t worry, he knows the rules, and I know him personally, he’s my son. So, if anything happens to your baby then you won’t be the only one kicking his behind.” Both men laugh together as the door is opened for me and I step in out of the cool night.
