Page 119 of Chasing Lyric
I sure do hope so.
Later That Night
Nerves are running hot, a volatile mix of adrenaline and pressure simmering just beneath the surface of my skin. The collar of my suit feels too tight, like it’s choking me, even though I know it fits perfectly. I shift restlessly, dragging my palm down the side of my tailored pants, trying to erase the slick sweat before it betrays how unsteady I feel. My jaw clenches hard, the tension locking up my neck, making every breath feel like I’m dragging air through gravel.
‘The Hallmark Maneuver’is live.
There’s no backing out now.
This has to work.
It needs to work.
I didn’t go all-in to fall flat on my ass.
I start pacing, the sound of my dress shoes echoing off the high ceiling of the empty room, each step more agitated than the last. My pulse pounds behind my ears like a warning. I glance down at my watch again. Then again. My stomach churns like it’s eating itself from the inside out.
Where the hell is Dax?
They were supposed to be here two hours ago.
Dinner’s not just cold, it’s ruined. The perfectly timed plan I set out like a battlefield strategy is slipping through my fingers.I’ve called Dax. Texted Lyric. Nothing. My imagination’s getting the best of me now.
Was there an accident?
Did she refuse to come?
Did Dax screw this up?
My hand goes to the back of my neck, rubbing hard as if I can force the tension out through sheer pressure. The longer the silence drags, the tighter my chest coils. The weight of every worst-case scenario presses down like tons of bricks.
Then, suddenly, a loud honk outside slices through the chaos in my mind. My heart kicks into overdrive, slamming against my ribs as I turn toward the sound, blood thundering in my veins.
Please let it be them.
Rechecking my watch, I confirm it’s not the surprise. We still have a few minutes before it’s due to arrive.Good.That gives me just enough time to pull myself together. But then the front door creaks open, and I spin toward it, heart lurching.
Dax walks in behind her, and there she is—Lyric.
My breath catches.
She’s stunning. That soft, flowing dress clings just right in all the places that make my thoughts derail. My chest tightens at the sight of her legs, the sway of her hips, the way that fabric moves with her.God, I love it when she wears dresses.Always have. She wears them like she owns the world.
But then I register her face, and everything shifts. She’s not just irritated. She’s angry. That fire behind her eyes isn’t the kind that invites you closer, it’s the kind that burns everything in its path.
My gaze drops to Dax, who strolls in behind her, sporting a fresh black eye.
What the hell?
My heart jerks hard in my chest, blood surging with confusion and the sudden urge to protect, fix, do something. My bodytenses, ready to react, muscles coiling like I’m gearing up for a fight. I rush toward them, eyes flicking between Dax’s bruised face and the fury radiating off Lyric like a massive heatwave.
“What the fuck happened?”
Lyric spots me. “Ha! Should’ve known you’d take me against my will. Lying, kidnapping, anything else you want to do to me, Chase?” she snaps, her voice full of pure venom.
“What the fuck, Dax?”
He groans. “Woman’s got a mean right hook, but I swear she’s as stubborn as an ox. Wouldn’t come with me, so I had to use a little…persuasive force.”
