I’m not an expert on women but I know that “fine” is never good,Chase mused to himself before texting her again. He asked, “Can I take you out for breakfast this morning? I could pick you up around 9?”
Three dots appeared and disappeared multiple times before Maggie responded, “Sure, breakfast sounds good.”
Chase felt his shoulders relax. At least he had a chance to make things right. He quickly responded, “Okay, can I get your address?”
There was another extended pause before Maggie sent her location. Chase clearly had to claw his way out of the dog house. He didn’t blame her. He would have been upset if the tables were turned and Maggie kissed a random guy in front of him.
Even worse, the kiss was in the middle of her favorite song. Chase groaned.How could I be so stupid? She’s the reason Leeland Banks even offered me the gig in the first place. Her and her love of ‘90s country. I really owe her.
Chase showered, put on his nicest jeans and a collared shirt. There were limited flower options on a Sunday morning, so he had to settle for a bouquet from a nearby grocery store. After finally deciding on a bouquet of daisies, Chase headed to pick up Maggie. He was surprised that she lived less than five minutes away from him in an apartment building in Venice. She told him the building was named Surf & Sand, but when he pulled up, the blah-beige building only screamed sand.
She didn’t tell him her apartment number, so he simply texted her when he arrived.He hated not being able to pick her up at her door.
A minute later, Maggie descended down the black iron staircase. She was adorable in light jeans with a dark brown belt and a cream colored, button-up shirt tucked in.
Chase let out a deep breath as she approached.Goodness gracious, she is gorgeous.
He climbed out of the truck to open her door. At least he could be chivalrous in this instance.
“Hey, good morning,” he managed as he handed her the bouquet.
“Morning. These are pretty, thank you,” Maggie’s mouth formed a small smile. Chase closed the door behind her and hopped in on his side.
“I thought we’d head to McDonalds. Nothing like McDonald’s breakfast.”
“Oh okay.” Maggie responded.
Chase laughed. “I’m kidding.” He glanced over at Maggie. “There’s a spot I like near my house on Abbot Kinney.”
“Sounds good.” She looked straight ahead. A silence filled the car.
Chase inhaled. “Hey, I just want to apologize for last night. That girl took me off guard, and everything happened so fast. I’m sorry.”
Maggie pursed her lips and nodded.
“Are you mad?”
“Ah, I mean it did take me by surprise… but I also realize I have no claim on you... And I might have left with Broden Dallas in retaliation.”
Chase tensed. “How did that go?”
Maggie held back a smile by biting her lip. “Pretty much how you’d expect. He took me to a rooftop fashion show—which was interesting. By the end I was sitting at a table alone, only to find him dancing with one of the models.”
“What?” Chase felt heat rising in his chest. “He is such a jerk. Thinks the sun comes up just to hear him crow. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. It’s my own fault for going with him. Lesson learned.”
“Still, he’s even more of a tool than I thought if he’d leave you for some floozy model.”
Maggie smiled, “Thanks for saying that.”
“I mean it.” Chase pulled into a parking spot along the road and proceeded to parallel park. “Here we are.”
Chapter 20
Maggie
Maggieassessedtherestaurant.It was an unassuming building painted white with a big picture window. The sign above the door read, “Pete’s.” Maggie didn’t know what to expect. Upon entering, she realized it was a trendy, old-school bakery and diner. A display case held pastries of every shape and size. The aroma of coffee, sugar, and maple syrup tickled her nose and made her stomach whimper.
