Page 62 of Chase

“Yes,” I answer.

Chase releases the breath he was holding and Arden ‘whoops’ behind me.

Before I even know what’s happening, Chase’s lips are on mine, his tongue seeking permission. He pulls me close and punishes my mouth in the best kind of way.

He’s telling me he loves me without saying the words.

So, I do the same.

Chapter Twenty-One

Chase

It’s been two weeks since we got back from New Hope. I still can’t believe that Yasmin agreed to move in with us. It seems surreal and that everything is too good at the moment. Arden and Rhys had bailed me up and told me that I needed to ask her and not just assume that she would.

We’ve fallen into an easy routine. Yasmin and Millie are still staying with us.

Her dad messages occasionally to apologise, but he isn’t forcing them to come home. I don’t know what changed his mind, but I have a feeling Mum has something to do with it.

We go to school then either go to my house or Arden’s. We’ve been spending more time there, making the most of spending time with Julia now that she has let us back into her life.

It’s going to be hard for Arden to leave her behind next year.

We graduate in a month.

This is it.

We’re on the home stretch.

Rhys, Arden and I are currently waiting for the girls to arrive. We’re meeting them for dinner at Mushu’s. This has sort of become a Saturday night tradition. I suggested it when I realised just how much Yasmin loves Chinese food. She’s discovered a newfound love of dumplings and the rest of us don’t mind. I can’t wait to tell her that Arden has convinced the owners to open up a restaurant in New Hope.

Yasmin and Ally arrive just as the food arrives. Yasmin stops to kiss me, and before long, Arden is making gagging noises from across the table.

“Seriously? We’re about to eat,” Arden says through his gagging noises. Which earns him a smack over the head from Ally.

“You can’t comment. Do I need to remind you of what I witnessed this week?” Ally asks narrowing her stare at him.

Arden’s quick to stop so he can glare at Ally. “You wouldn’t. You promised,” he hisses. Ally raises her eyebrow in a querying manner and Arden visibly pales which gets everyone’s attention.

“What happened this week?’ I ask Arden. He avoids looking at me and continues to stare down Ally.

“Nothing.” His tone is short and very un-Arden like.

“What did you see?” Rhys asks Ally. If we push from both directions, one of them is bound to cave. Ally widens her smirk in a menacing way. I know that smirk. She’s about to tell us just to piss Arden off.

“You wouldn’t,” Arden threatens.

“Wouldn’t I?” Ally responds in a cool tone. Yasmin’s phone vibrates and she checks her message.

“No fucking way!” Yasmin exclaims putting her phone down and joining Ally in the stare down.

What just happened?

Arden looks between the two girls confused.

“You made out with Stacey? What the fuck were you thinking?” Yasmin says, letting the cat out of the bag.

Arden pales again “How?” He ignores her question, more concerned about how Yasmin found out. He must’ve missed her checking her phone. I’m impressed with Ally’s ninja texting skills under the table.

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