Page 59 of Mr. July

“That doesn’t count.”

“Does, too. We spent time together, shared food. That fits the definition of a date. Plus, you kissed me.”

“What? You kissed me!”

“Semantics… it happened.”

“You are so cocky!”

“And here I was hoping you’d think I was charming and fun.”

“You’re those things, too.”

“Admit it. I’m your perfect man.”

I evaded his teasing remark… “How did you end up in a calendar anyway?”

“Now that’s a story…”

We packed up our things. He insisted on carrying it all, while still somehow managing to keep a hand free to hold mine. Our fingers interlaced as we walked up the beach path back to his car. “… and then the bathing suit ripped. She handed me the American flag one. I was a bit angry; it was cold, and I had a million emails to get to. But I can never stay mad at Charlie for long. After the photo shoot, I took her on a drive down memory lane. Ended up at the beach house. There was a ‘for sale’ sign out front. And the rest is history.”

I paused, looked up at his handsome face wanting to burn every hard line into memory. “No. It’s not history, it’s only just beginning.” I stood up on my toes to reach his mouth. “I am deeply sorry about what happened. Please don’t take your listing off because of what Hannah did.”

He shrugged. “Suddenly I don’t want to share it anymore. It’s become home… and I’m not leaving tomorrow. Everyone else is though. It’ll just be me and Daisy… and you.”

I was in big trouble. It took me a month to sleep with Wade and here I was barely 24hours in to knowing Chase in the flesh and I was ready to give him all of me. “Daisy might be a bit confused. She might need help adjusting. I should probably stop by and check in on her.”

“It’s still early. Come back to the house?”

I nodded, knowing we wouldn’t be alone. “We can’t keep dancing around what happened.”

He paused, “It was months ago. I’m over it.”

“Are you?”

“Mostly.” He smiled as we continued walking.

“I am very sorry about your couch.”

His body tensed; his left fist clenched. “The only thing I want to know but dread the answer to—was if you hooked up in my house?”

“No. That was someone else with the stripper.”

He blew out a breath. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

I nodded. The drive back to the house was silent but heavy with the desire that was running like a current. The house was lit but silent. We took the path around back. He tugged me forward, our hands interlocked as we joined his sister and Gran around the beach fire. Chairs were set up not far from the burning logs. Someone had set up a pair of wooden poles deep in the sand where a strand of solar string lights twinkled as they looped between.

“How was your date?” Gran got straight to it.

“I’m not sure. It’s not over yet.” I replied smoothly, earning a wink from Chase as he sank into an Adirondack chair pulling me onto his lap.

“You’re acting as if we’re already a couple.” I hissed, trying to free myself from the arms locked around my waist. More people joined the circle by the fire. All staring. I knew without asking most were his co-workers. They were all sizing me up, assessing if I was worthy.

Someone passed me a can of sparkling wine. Conversation and laughter flowed easily. Chase never loosened his hold on me once, not even when Daisy yipped as she trotted across the sand, launching herself in my lap. But she didn’t gaze at me and beg to be pet. Her eyes were on my man. Well technically more her man than mine.For now.

The conversation petered out as a man walked across the sand. The strap to his guitar was around one of his broad shoulders. He was as tall as Chase but dark haired where Chase’s was all gold. He was tan. Fit. But I only had eyes for the man whose arms I was in while every other female turned theirs on the man with the guitar probably sensing Chase already claimed two females.

He sat down in the sand, started strumming a few chords. I gasped in surprise at his strong, baritone voice belted out better than Harry Styles did his own tune. “Watermelon sugar high.” The man’s gaze lifted to Charlie as he sang. Once he caught her eyes the two of them never broke their gaze. Chase swore under his breath, women sighed at the romance of the moment. Charlie was in love. I knew it. Saw it, Sensed it. She didn’t hide her emotions.

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