Page 85 of Committed to You

I expected the conversation to be quick, but after a half hour, I realize she isn’t going to go away that easy.

Chase has his back to me, but his leg is bouncing, and he’s repeatedly running his hands through his hair as if frustrated.

After an hour goes by, I realize that we are going to miss our first showing if we don’t leave. I get out of the booth, walk over to where they are sitting, and say, “Sorry to interrupt, but if we don’t go, we will miss the showing.”

Chase gives me a relieved look and quickly stands up. “Meredith, I’m sorry to run, but I can’t miss this appointment.”

“Showing?” she asks.

“Vivian is a realtor, and I have some properties to look at.”

She focuses on Chase as if I’m not even in the room. “Should we finish this discussion back in New York?”

Chase sighs. “Meredith, I think I’ve said everything I need to say. I apologize if I led you on or gave you any indication this was anything more. You’re a great girl, and any guy would be lucky to have you. I wish you well.”

She gapes at Chase. “So, that’s it?”

“Yes. I’m sorry, but we need to go now.” He puts his hand on my back and leads me away. When we get outside, he says, “Vivian, I’m so sorry about that.”

It’s my turn to sigh. “It’s not your fault.”

“But it is. I’m not innocent in all this.”

“No, you aren’t, but something isn’t right with her. She seems to have a completely different view of your relationship than what you told me.”

Chase stops and spins me into him. “I’m not lying to you. I haven’t seen her in months, and I was very clear with her from the beginning that we were only friends with benefits and would never be more.”

“I wasn’t insinuating you were lying. I meant she seems unstable or something…like one of those crazy girls.” There is liking someone and wanting more. Then there is not giving up when someone says they aren’t interested in you. The latter is crazy.

Chase shakes his head. “She’s harmless. I think she’s just hurt and, with her mom dying and all…”

That’s only her excuse to act crazier.

“Let’s forget about her now. She’ll be back in New York, and we won’t have to run into her anymore,” Chase says.

“I can agree with that.”

We walk a few blocks and get to the first building. After we pass security, we step into the elevator, and I slide the penthouse key into the slot.

“What’s your first impression of the building so far?” I ask Chase.

He shrugs. “Seems standard for a luxury building.”

“It does.”

“What do you think of it?”

I laugh. “My opinion doesn’t count. I’m not buying it.”

He raises a brow. “Your opinion absolutely counts.”

I roll my eyes at him.

“Vivian, I want you to give me your honest opinions about everything. I know you aren’t supposed to as my agent, but as my girlfriend, I want you to tell me. I don’t want to buy a place you hate.”

My heart flutters about why he cares about my opinion regarding this matter, but I decide to tease him. “I’m your girlfriend?”

“Sorry, am I supposed to call you something else?”

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