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“I’m much looking forward to seeing your touch in this house. Much toobareandmasculinefor my taste,” she says.
I laugh nervously. “Yes, me too.”
At the door, Gram kisses both my cheeks. “Much to discuss soon, Judith. Much to discuss.”
“Yes, m-much.”
“Come along, Caroline.”
“I’ll meet you at the car, Gram. I just want to congratulate my future sister-in-law.”
Gram smiles and floats to the sleek black convertible sitting in the driveway.
I feel Caroline’s grip on my shoulder. “You’ve been dating my brother forhow long and haven’t told me?”
“Caroline…” I turn to my friend. The hurt in her eyes is so clear and obvious it breaks my heart in return. “I’m sorry, I know it’s weird but –”
“I don’t care if it’sweird! You’re both grown people, I can’t control you. Hell, our ancestors used to marry their cousins.”
I gag. “Well, it’s not quite like that.”
“My point is, I’m upset you didn’t tell me.”
“I know. I’m sorry. We both agreed it would be better to wait.”
Caroline’s anger finally fades, leaving a wounded animal in its wake. “That will do for now.” She follows Gram to the car and gets in the driver’s seat. As they drive off, Gram waves at me, beaming ear to ear.
What have I done?
I close the door and stand there just a moment with my hand on the doorknob. It’s all happened so fast.Toofast. I took the risk. And I’m not sure it’s paid off. I might have made more of a mess than was there to begin with.
I take a deep breath and turn around.
Chase stands at the mouth of the sitting room, his arms crossed over his chest, showing off his bulging biceps under his checkered button-down. If he wasn’t mad at me, I’d say his anger was tantalizing. Clenched jaw, intense stare, his wide stance making it known that he is the one in charge here.
“Well, this is sort of funny, isn’t it?” I say with a nervous giggle.
“Do you see me laughing?”
I swallow. “No.”
Chase stares me down. Seconds pass. Maybe minutes. I’m locked in the power of his stare, afraid if I move a muscle he might incinerate me for even existing.
Finally, he lifts his chin. “Start explaining.Now.”
Chapter 4
Chase
Judestandstherewithan uncomfortable grin. “Why don’t we talk in the kitchen so I can water the pl –“
“Jude.”
She seals her lips together and stands up straighter, curls bobbing back out of her face.
I can’t be too mad at Jude. After all, I went along with her little ruse. A gut impulse, something I don’t normally listen to. In my line of work, everything is precisely measured, the pros and the cons, the costs and the benefits.
This was do or die.
