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With a sigh, he lets me go and grabs his phone from his pocket, swiping his thumb across the screen before lifting it to his ear.
I should be grateful for the interruption, and I’m sure I will be when my senses come back to me. But for now, all I feel is annoyed.
“Bailey,” Chase says into the receiver, giving me a wry smile before turning his attention to the call.
I press my hands to my cheeks to calm the racing heat that rushes my skin. That phone call is the perfect reminder why giving into whatever lingers between Chase and me for a second time would be a terrible idea.
Without Bailey, I’d have nothing. She welcomed me into her home, gave me a family I could call my own, and how do I repay her? By trying to snog her brother’s face off after two years of keeping him at arm’s length in the hopes of not reliving another moment of weakness.
I don’t know what she’d think if she knew about these moments that transpire between us, but I really don’t want to find out. Because the risk of hernotbeing okay with it … well, that’s not a risk I’m ready to take.
Chase ends the call and rakes a hand through his hair before he turns back to me. He drags his eyes over my face, searching my expression. I don’t know what he’s looking for, but his shoulders drop, and he blows out a short breath before plastering a smirk on his lips.
It’s fake. Having known him over the years, I’d instantly recognise it, but I don’t push him on the fact, and instead offer a sheepish grin in return.
“Hot chocolate?” he asks, offering me his hand, and I sag in relief, my smile widening.
“Yes, please.” I thread my fingers through his, squeezing gently. “Withallthe trimmings.”
He chuckles, and any remaining tension between us dissolves. “Anything for you, Ry.”
I have regrets.
Too many to count, if I’m being honest.
But my biggest one might be getting so drunk that my brain couldn’t form a coherent reason to get out of watching this film. It’s freezing, my snacks have long dwindled, and the teddy-fleece blanket I was looking forward to wrapping around me is scratchy and weirdly bumpy.
I should have listened to Chase in the supermarket’s home section when he told me to go for the wool blanket, but I’d been so busy trying not to look at his face that I wandered away before he could persuade me to swap them.
Stupid bloody dimples.
The only positive from this outing is that the rain finally stopped just before the film was due to start, so at least I’m not soaking wet too. Wonders never cease, I guess.
I grab my phone from beneath my thigh and press the warm metal to my cheek for a moment to try and get some feeling back in the tight skin, then I flick over the screen and pull up my texts with Chase.
Ryan:This film is worse than I remember. Save me, please.
“Who are you texting?” Daisy asks, her gaze curious as she peeks over my shoulder.
I shake my head, rolling my eyes as I flip the screen down. She chuckles, but it turns into a grimace when Bailey hisses, “Be quiet!”in our direction. “Sorry,”Daisy mouths, smirking in my direction as my phone buzzes a response. “Fine. Have your secrets, Ryan. I’ll get it out of you this weekend after a few drinks.”
“I have no secrets,” I whisper, my stomach fluttering as I open the text from the person who holds my biggest secret in the palm of his hand.
Chase:Well, if it isn’t the consequences of your actions. Unfortunately for you, Ry, I’m swamped right now.
Ryan:What are you doing?? How are you busy? We’re in the middle of Scotland with literally nothing to do.
Chase:That’s not true. We found plenty to do last time you were here…
Ryan:STOP. We aren’t talking about that night, thank you. We had a deal.
Chase:You had a deal. If I remember correctly, you didn’t let me get a word in edgeways.
Ryan:Ugh, whatever. Come save me. PLEASE.
Chase:Hmm … I think not. Enjoy the film! x
With a huff, I find Eli’s contact next and reel off a quick text feigning illness, asking if he’s free to pick me up instead. One of the Brooks brothers might sympathise with my plight, even if it is fictional.
