Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87179 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“I’ll cuff you and take you in.”
The idea of Chase cuffing me makes my mouth go dry, and I can’t help but look over at his mouth. It’s full and sexy, and he’s likely good at using it.
“For the first time in my life, I wish I could read minds.”
That pulls me right out of my reverie, and I laugh nervously. “And I’m glad that you can’t. Thank you for lunch. It was really nice of you.”
“I feel bad that I ate half of it.”
“Don’t. I offered.” I smile over at him, and he reaches out and tucks my hair behind my ear.
“I think we should hang out sometime, Blondie.”
“You do? Also, did you just call me Blondie?”
“It suits you.” His lips twitch with humor. “And yes, I do. What do you say? I mean, we’re friends, right? And friends hang out together.”
As friends. Well, that’s disappointing, but I nod slowly. “Sure. They do. That would be fun. How are things going out at the ranch for the wedding?”
“It’s busy out there,” he says. “In fact, I’ll be headed there in a little while when I get off work. I’m building the arbor, bar, and a few other things for Erin, and I spend my days off out at the ranch, working on those projects.”
“I didn’t know that you built stuff.”
“It’s a hobby.” He lifts a shoulder. “It takes my mind off things.”
“That’s how I feel when I’m designing flowers,” I agree. “I can just zone out. It’s my favorite part of the business.”
“Not all the taxes and math?”
“No. That’s definitely not my favorite. What else have you built?”
“All kinds of things. My dining room table, a chair for my mom, a wishing well birdbath that a friend asked me to make his wife for her birthday.”
“That sounds super cool. Do you have a picture?”
“As a matter of fact.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket and scrolls through photos, then turns it to me, and I feel my jaw drop.
“Chase, that’s gorgeous.”
“It turned out sharp,” he agrees. “Here’s hoping everything that Erin wants works out, as well. Some of the wood from the old barn is too rotten, so it’s been a pain in the ass. What are some of your hobbies?”
“I like to paint. I don’t do it often, but I enjoy it. Mostly watercolors, but sometimes I’ll draw with charcoal.” I watch a little boy riding his bike on the sidewalk alongside his mom, who’s pushing a stroller. “I should do more of that. Paint, that is.”
“If it makes you happy, then yeah, you should.” The radio on Chase’s belt signals, and he grins over at me ruefully. “I have to get back to work.”
“Me, too,” I say as we stand. “Thanks again for lunch and the break. It was nice.”
“I’ll see you soon,” he says, but stays put.
“Don’t you have to go?”
“Not until you’re safely back inside your shop.”
I frown and glance around. “It’s the middle of the day. I’ll be fine.”
Chase crosses his arms over his chest, showing off sculpted biceps, and doesn’t move, waiting for me to go inside. “I’ll make sure you’re back safely, Blondie.”
“Okay, stubborn man, I’m going. Don’t work too hard.”
“Take your own advice,” he suggests with a wink before I turn to walk away. I can feel his eyes on me as I cross the street and even as I walk back into my shop.
Yeah, I would spend more time with Chase, even if it is just as friends.
CHAPTER FOUR
CHASE
“You must have worked the early shift today,” Erin says as she walks toward the garage where I’m putting the finishing touches on the arbor.
“I did.” I grin over at her, happy to see her. Although I’ve known her for less than a year, my brother’s fiancée has quickly become one of my favorite people. “And you have good timing because I’m about finished with this. I need you to put your stamp of approval on it before I move on to the bar.”
Erin’s green eyes shine as she looks it over. “Oh, Chase, it’s so beautiful. And I know that it’ll be great for not only my wedding but also for so many others who want to have their special day out here on the ranch. It’s exactly what I wanted.”
“Thank fuck,” I mutter and close my eyes, propping my hands on my hips. “You have no idea how much pressure this was. I didn’t want to have to tear it apart and start over again.”
“No, you did a great job.” She tilts her head to the side and taps her lips, examining it. “I wonder…”
“Wonder what? If you want something changed, now’s the time to say something.”
“No, not changed. It’s exactly what I asked for. I just wonder if Summer will be able to hang the flowers on it the way we discussed in her shop, or if I’ll have to change my mind on some of those decisions.”