Page 35 of #Starstruck

“I don’t know, you guys. It’s getting late, and it’s almost dinnertime. Mom will kill me for getting you all hopped up on sugar this late.”

“C’mon, Zo,” Chase said, mimicking Zia’s expression. “It won’t hurt just this once. Let’s get ice cream.”

“Your puppy-dog charm is not going to work,” I told him. Even though it totally was.

“Oh, a compliment. You just called me charming.”

“Did not. And if you weren’t listening, I compared you to a manipulative puppy.” One using his cuteness to get what he wants.

“All I heard was charming.” He stood up, offering me his hand. “And if you keep saying no, we might have a mutiny on our hands.”

“Okay, fine. We can have ice cream.”

Amid their cheers, and Zelda making up a song about how much she loved ice cream, I made everyone put on their flip-flops. I took Chase’s hand, and it was just like I remembered. Warm, strong, and completely electric. I quickly let go. I grabbed my sunglasses, grateful to hide behind them. I slipped into my clothes and shoes. Chase put on his shirt, a ball cap, and sunglasses, and I wondered if he was covertly watching me the same way I was watching him.

As we headed for the boardwalk, Zelda asked, “Can I get chocolate ice cream?”

Both Chase and I exclaimed, “No!” at the same time, which cracked us up. The kids joined in, even though I don’t think they understood why we were laughing.

Zia grabbed my hand and demanded, “Hold hands, Cheese.” She wanted us to swing her as we walked. We counted to three and swung her high in the air, and she laughed hysterically each time.

“It must be nice to be part of a big family.”

“It is,” I agreed. “Although sometimes I feel like a second mother because of the age gap. I mean, if I got married and had kids in the next few years, Zia would be an aunt at a really young age. That part of it is weird. But I adore them.”

Chase stayed quiet for longer than was normal. “Is that something you think about? Getting married?” Given his tone, it was like he was asking, “Is that something you think about? Committing multiple murders and becoming a serial killer?” Such a stereotypical male reaction to discussing marriage.

“Not really.” I mean, I had been thinking about it a lot lately, given my current situation withPeople Magazine’s three-time winner of “Sexiest Man Alive,” but it wasn’t something I had seriously considered. I hadn’t even graduated yet.

When we got to the ice cream parlor, Chase opened the door for everyone, ushering the kids inside, where their voices echoed loudly. I put my sunglasses on top of my head; Chase left his on. The children gathered around the display case, deciding on flavors. Zelda had to be reminded more than once that chocolate was not an option.

They finally made their decisions. Zane opted for the Incredible Hulk flavor—mint ice cream with chocolate chips. I decided to get the same.

“No Captain Sparta flavor?” Chase murmured. “I think I should be offended.”

I would totally eat that up. But instead of saying so, I just smiled. I noticed he was hanging back, standing behind me. As if he didn’t want anyone in the parlor to know who he was. It seemed to be working, as the girl at the cash register was busy texting on her phone and ignoring us. I asked Chase what he wanted, and he said butter pecan.

“Ha. I knew your icky movie-star tastes would come out eventually. Your picnic didn’t fool me.”

“What’s wrong with butter pecan?”

“Um, everything? Such a waste of good ice cream.” I grabbed my purse and moved to the register to place our order. Chase put his hand on my wrist, preventing me from getting my wallet. He handed me some cash.

“It’s on me. I’m the one who asked to spend the day with you guys, remember?”

I kept forgetting this was kind of a date. I knew the girls—er, women—in my women’s studies class would want me to protest. Maybe even get angry and tell him I didn’t need him or the patriarchy paying for me. But I gratefully accepted his kind gesture. “I’ll get it next time.”

It wasn’t until later that I thought about how presumptuous that must have sounded. Like we were definitely going on another date when he hadn’t indicated he wanted to. I gave him his change after the cashier rang us up. Once she had scooped our cones, Chase suggested we sit on the outdoor patio that overlooked the boardwalk and beach.

We got everybody situated at the table, and I wrapped the cones for the two youngest kids in enough napkins to soak up an oil spill. Chase seemed completely entertained by how much the kids loved their ice cream.

“Everybody tell Chase thank you!”

They all said thanks, including Zia, who said, “Fank you, Cheese” between delicate bites of pink bubblegum ice cream.

“I think this is a day they’ll always remember,” I told him. I knew it was one I would never forget.

“What’s your favorite childhood memory?” he asked.

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