He chuckles, handing me a bottle of water. “Water first, then muffin, then coffee.”
“Bossy,” I tease before guzzling.
“If you say so.”
“I say so.”
“You said I was pretty too, so…”
“No, I said youreyeswere pretty…” I cringe immediately.Damn it!I just couldn’t resist arguing with his smart-ass goading. He’ll never let me live this down.
His eyebrows tick up as he smirks. “So youdoremember?”
“Bits and pieces,” I say, making grabbing motions to signal for the muffin. “Did I do anything else?” Bracing for him to mention the kiss, I force myself to look into his eyes. He gives me a cool green stare, not even blinking.
“Nope.” He pops thepand hands me the muffin. “Nothing.”
Thank God he’s playing along. Relief floods through me, but I shouldn’t be surprised by this. We’re good at pretending.
CHAPTER TEN
ASHLIE
Flying always relaxes me. Something about sitting inside the clouds makes me feel like I’m untouchable. No demands. No stress. I can simplybe, and this sparse Friday morning flight gives me the perfect opportunity.
Disappointment snakes through me when the pilot announces our descent into San Francisco. I’m excited to help Kayla with wedding planning, but I’m not looking forward to the ache I’ll feel in my ankle after weaving through the throng in the terminal. The doctor said it’s not broken, but the past week at work has been a struggle on my feet. Hurrying through crowds on a still-bruised sprain is not my idea of a good time.
Chase is parked right outside the doors when I make it into the hazy sunshine. His Ivy League crew cut ripples in the breeze as he tucks his phone in his pocket and waves. “Hey, Ash!” He gives me a side hug before placing my carry-on in the trunk. “How was the flight, and why are you limping?”
“I lost a battle with some stairs. My ankle is still fighting for its life.”
His eyes widen as he tilts his head with concern. “I’ll grab you some ice at the office. I have to wrap a couple things up before taking you back to the apartment.”
“It’s really okay,” I say. “I just need to rest it.”
“I can see the bruise from here. Ice and elevation, for sure.” He chuckles at my eye roll and opens my door. None of his kind gestures surprise me anymore, so I don’t fight him too hard about the ice. He might be one of the most attentive people I’ve ever met. That charming personality is why I used to call him a Golden Retriever. He’s friendly, reliable, and self-aware. No wonder Kayla is sure she can find a better guy for me. She already found a good one for herself.
When we make it to the EdTechU building, Chase sets me up in a chair by the window. He moves a side table for me to rest my leg on and steps out to grab ice from the break room. I pull out my phone, pop in my earbuds, and settle in for a long social media scroll. Just as I get to some juicy celebrity drama, I’m interrupted by a banner across the screen.
Hunter
Put some ice on that ankle.
Me
Thanks Dad. Chase is already on it.
Hunter
Don’t forget to talk to them about Thanksgiving.
Me
OKAY DAD…
Hunter
I’ll see you Sunday.
