Page 174 of Make Me Trust Again
I blink at the flowers.“What is this?”
From the corner of my eye, I can see Chase get up. I glance at him to find that intense gaze locked on mine. The gold flecks shine brightly in his hazel eyes, and a shiver runs down my spine.
“Flowers, duh. They’re for you.” Kyle extends the bouquet toward me. I wrap my fingers around the small bouquet of lilies, my favorite, inhaling their sweet scent.“Chase says you needto bring flowers when you’re taking a girl out on a date, and we’re taking you out on a date. Right, Chase?”
Chase hums in approval.“That’s right.”
Kyle’s chest puffs out proudly, and I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me.“Well, they’re really pretty. Thank you. I have the best dates in all of Bluebonnet.”
My words make Kyle’s grin grow even bigger.“Does that mean we can go now?”
I bite the inside of my cheek. This kid will seriously be the death of me.
Chase places a hand on Kyle’s shoulder, drawing his attention.“Why don’t you go put on your shoes?”
Kyle nods and is off in a flash, leaving me alone with Chase, who’s still watching me intently, as if he can’t look away. “You look stunning.”
Color rises up my neck at the compliment as he hands me his own bouquet—a matching one to the one Kyle gave me. “You clean up very nicely as well, Mr. Williams. And thank you for the flowers, you didn’t have to.”
Chase’s hand slips around my waist, pulling me close as he lets out a low hum. “I wanted to. You deserve flowers. You deserve it all.”
Warmth spreads through my chest as those serious eyes lock on mine. Slowly, so impossibly slowly, he lowers his lips, brushing against mine in a gentle kiss. I slide my free hand around his neck as he pulls back, a low, needy whimper coming out of my lungs.
“I’m done! Are we going?” Kyle’s question has us pulling apart. My son looks between us and rolls his eyes.“You can kiss later. We need to go now!”
Chase and I exchange a look. He shakes his head. “You heard the man.”
I manage to put the flowers in a vase before we leave the house, so they don’t wither before we get back. Kyle and Shadow slip into the back seat, while Chase holds my door open for me.
The drive into town seems to take forever, and finding a parking space is almost impossible. Bluebonnet is packed with locals and tourists alike, not surprising considering people love events like this. Thankfully, we manage to snatch a spot as somebody is leaving. My phone buzzes just as Chase parks the car, so I pull it out and check the message.
“Becky says they’re running late since Jackson was sleeping, but they’ll meet us here,” I say as I send her a reply.
“Sounds good. Wait.”
Chase gets out of the car, walks around it to my side, and opens my door before doing the same with Kyle.
“I need you to stay close,”I tell him.“There are a lot of people here, okay? You have your medical alert bracelet?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“You can hold onto Shadow’s harness.”Chase points out the handle on Shadow’s vest.
“Okay.”Kyle nods, his hand curling around the handle, while his other hand wraps around mine as we start walking toward the main street.
Chase’s fingers intertwine with mine, the warmth of his body seeping into me from behind. I spot a few familiar faces as we pass by the stands.
The street is extremely busy with pedestrians, and I try my best to keep my eye on Kyle, so I don’t see when somebody bumps into me, making me stumble, but Chase’s arm wraps around my middle, holding me to him, his lips brushing against my ear. “I’ve gotcha.”
“Thanks.”
Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Tyson are with a few of their friends, sitting at the tables by the food trucks. Both women grin, Mrs.Miller going as far as winking. I wave at them in passing just as one of their friends leans down to gossip.
I glance over my shoulder. Chase’s face is serious as he scans the space, his body stiff. I’m not sure if he’s tense because of the crowd in general or because of the attention that’s on us.
I place my hand over his that’s on my belly, and his gaze falls to me. “You good?”
Chase’s throat bobs as he swallows. “Yeah.” His lips brush against the top of my head, and I can feel him inhale deeply. “I’m good.” When he pulls back, his attention shifts to Kyle, who’s watching us intently. “Where do you wanna go first?”
