Page 69 of The Spring in My Heart

This one is from her brother.

Chase

We need to have a drink and a chat, Coach. Name the time and the place.

13

Lux

I find a vase for my flowers, lock the screen of my phone, and straighten up. I place the objects on my countertop and dig up some scissors from the drawer.

Chase is typing on his phone, probably with Lauren. I still think it was her idea for him to bring me flowers.

“These are beautiful.”

He eyes the peonies and nods. “I figured you would like them. You always bought them in the spring for the house.”

I blink at him a few times. It’s true. “You did get these for me.”

He shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“I’m hungry. Can I have some more of the hot chocolate?”

Shit. I don’t know how to make it.

“It’s all gone. I’ll make you a sandwich.”

“Just like that? You’re not going to make me beg or tell me to do it myself. You’re just going to make me a sandwich?”

Oh no. I was too nice too fast.

“Well, you were nice enough to bring me flowers…”

He leans forward on the counter. “And a bracelet.”

I run back to the living room, thankful for the distraction, and grab the bag he gave me. I tear through it and find the box. It’s a tennis bracelet with charms of a purse, a heel, and a heart.

I run back and hug him again. “Thank you, Chase. It’s beautiful and thoughtful. I’m so grateful.”

He hugs me back. “Because you think that now I won’t ask you about you and Coach.”

My heart plummets straight into my belly, and I push away from him. “What are you talking about?”

He points to my living room. “I obviously interrupted something.”

“Are you crazy?” I laugh. It’s desperate and louder than I meant. But I can’t quit. I need to commit to the lie.

“I’m not crazy. Both of you were acting, as Bron would say, sus. Like you got caught in the middle of something.”

I take my place behind the counter again but offer him my wrist so he can help me put on the bracelet. “And, according to you, what did we get caught doing?”

“I’m not sure how far you got.” He clasps the bracelet.

Far enough for my lips to still be burning from the kiss and my body humming from Oliver’s big strong hands.

I shake my wrist. “You have an active imagination, Chase.”

“Yes, but you can never lie well, Lux. You also can’t kiss anyone without it showing all over your face. That’s why you had to go touch up your makeup.”

---