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“I know. But some things are worth making a big deal about. He should realize that.”
“What should I realize?” Chase comes strolling back into the kitchen, looking breezy and way too attractive in his brown corduroy coat with sheepskin lining and wind-blown hair.
“What makes you think we were even talking about you, young man?” His grandma tsks her tongue at him.
“Of course you were. What other he would you be talking about?”
“You’re hardly the only man in our orbit, you know,” I say lightly.
He gives his grandma a kiss on the cheek before taking two travel mugs out of the top shelf of a cabinet. “I’m the only man worth talking about.”
“Of course you are, dear.” She ladles out the hot chocolate into the mugs. “Both Paige and I are completely in awe of you and never let any other male specimens even flicker across our minds.”
I laugh as I accept the mug Chase offers me. “Exactly. We are always waiting around with bated breath for you.”
He meets my eyes behind his grandmother’s back. “You should be.”
My breath hitches strangely. I peer at him, trying to figure out what the uncharacteristically sober comment meant, but he’s already moved on, starting to rinse off the dishes in the sink.
“Oh no,” his grandma says. “You’re not doing the dishes today. It’s nine now. You and Paige need to get on your way.”
“I can—”
“No, you can’t. You’ve made Paige wait long enough.”
There’s another odd moment with strange vibrations in the air. No one speaks for several seconds until Chase picks up his mug.
“Thank you so much for the hot chocolate,” I say, giving the older woman a hug. “And thanks for sparing Chase for this trip.”
“My pleasure. Have a wonderful time and take care of each other.”
I step into the dining room as Chase gives her a hug. I hear her tell him, “No worrying about me, okay? Darlene will be here in an hour or so, and I’ll be just fine with her. You enjoy yourself. You deserve it.”
“Thanks, Grandma. Call if you need anything.”
“I will. But no more putting your life on hold for me.”
I’m waiting by the front door when Chase joins me. When we get to the car, I see he’s left the trunk open, so I glance in at our luggage.
I jerk to a stop and make an outraged sound.
I’d neatly fit all my stuff into one side, leaving plenty of room for his. But he’s completely redone all of it, lining up the bags by size from the smallest one—my cosmetic bag—to his huge duffel.
“You told me you wanted them put in some sort of order,” he says blandly. “So I did my best.”
“But— You... What the... You knew perfectly well that’s not what I meant!”
His mouth twitches slightly, and his eyes are laughing.
“Asshole,” I told him.
“Are you going to fix it?”
It’s a challenge. A very obvious challenge. A strong pull inside me urges me to fix the luggage into a more reasonable order, but then he’d win.
I’m not inclined to give him such a victory before the trip has even started, so I slam the trunk closed. “It’s fine,” I grit through my teeth.
He laughs out loud.
