Page 81 of Stolen Kisses

"Honey, you didn't date after your divorce."

"Yes, well, I wasn't ready. I'm still not sure if Iamready."

Blair laughed. "I like Chase even more."

"How come?" I asked.

"Because he declared himself your boyfriend when you're not even sure you can date. I mean, the man's got skills."

I grinned. "I agree."

"Have you heard back from any of the renovation companies?"

"No, not yet, but I've contacted new ones," I said. "Listen, I've got to go. I need to buy some supplies, okay?" My face exploded in a grin. "And Chase has a surprise for me tonight."

"Good for him. I don't think he spoke to Josh yet or I would've heard about it, but I'm going to butter up my husband so he doesn't... overreact when Chase finally tells him."

"Good plan," I said. "I love you."

"Love you too."

After hanging up, I finally stepped inside the store. I went straight to the home decor section and found some shelves quick enough. They were simple and white. The edge on one side was well worn, but they’d do. I wasn't picky.

As I paid for them, I thanked the heavens for thrift stores. Gran and I frequented them a lot when I was growing up. Every time something broke at the inn, we headed to yard sales and secondhand shops.

Grandpa had been great at reconditioning old furniture, and Gran often said that she preferred to give a new lease on life to old things rather than buying new stuff. I quite agreed.

Once I stepped out of the store, I looked up and down the street, wondering what kind of car Chase was about to send. I should’ve asked him so I knew what to look out for.

I was holding my shelves in my arms. They were a foot long, and I looked a bit ridiculous. Then I saw Chase's Mercedes pull up in front of me. The window to the passenger seat was down, and sure enough, he was behind the wheel.

"Hey, I thought you were sending someone for me."

"I was, but I finished earlier and came myself. I figured that would buy me more time with you."

He stepped out of the car, and I smiled in delight. "You bought me flowers."

"Damn right, I did."

"They are gorgeous." He was holding a mix of pink azaleas and white asters. I couldn't even remember the last time I'd gotten flowers.

He took the shelves from me as I took the flowers from him. I pressed them to my chest.

"These are for me?" I murmured in awe.

"Of course. What are these?” he asked, raising the shelves.

"I needed some shelves for my bathroom, and Goodwill helped me out in a pinch."

He stopped and looked over my shoulder, frowning when he saw the sign but didn't say anything as he put the shelves on the back seat. Was he ashamed that I was shopping at Goodwill?

He opened the door in the front for me, and I sat inside.

"Want me to put the flowers in the back?" he asked.

I pressed them to my chest even tighter. "No, they're mine. I want to smell them."

He laughed. "Damn, you're cute. I'll buy you flowers every day if they make you so happy."

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