Chase rubbed his chin. “Well, let’s stick as close to the truth as we can. It’ll be easier to keep our story straight.”
“How long did you say we’ve been dating?”
“I didn’t say yet…”
“Well, I’ve lived in LA for a little over a month. We only met like two weeks ago. That’s not very long to be dating for me to suddenly fly across the country to meet your family. Oh gosh, I sound crazy… I am crazy…” Maggie put her head in her hands.
“If you’re crazy, I guess I like crazy,” Chase poked her side.
Maggie huffed, “Oh boy. You don't know what you’ve gotten yourself into buddy. Just scored yourself an insane girlfriend.”
“You’re better than Betty’s daughter, trust me.” Chase’s face went serious. “That girl is on the prowl. I don’t want to be her fresh meat.” Chase shuddered.
“Okay… let’s say we met a couple days after I moved to LA. We’ll just slide the timeline a bit. So, we’ve been dating for over a month. Still kind of crazy, but not as bad.”
“And, I’ll really sell the whole love at first sight thing.”
“Aw… I’ve always wanted to experience instant fake love,” Maggie teased and put her hands on his cheeks. Chase instinctively pulled back.
“Oh sorry, did I do something wrong?”
“No, no, you didn’t. I’m so sorry. It’s just… my ex-fiancée, Amber, used to do that.” Chase stared straight ahead and then quickly added, “Just bad memories.”
“Okay… Noted. Do not touch your face.”
“That’s not… what I meant.” Chase turned so he was facing her and took her hands in his. Looking deep into her endless brown eyes, he felt himself relax. “I’m glad you’re here."
When he reached out to put her hair behind her ear, a huge grin spread across Maggie’s face.
“What?” Chase pulled back with a smirk.
“It’s just your move.” Maggie laughed.
Chase shrugged, “It’s a good move though, right?”
“It’s a good move,” Maggie agreed.
Chase stood, held out his hand and helped her up. “Ready for this?”
Maggie inhaled, “Ready. Now I can add being a fake girlfriend to my list of ten new things.”
“Let’s just hope it goes on the ‘like’ side.” Chase crossed his fingers.
Chapter 28
Maggie
Thenextmorning,Maggiewalked down the stairs to the aroma of bacon and coffee. As she turned the corner into the kitchen, Norah Smith greeted her.
“Good morning, Maggie. How’d ya sleep?”
“I slept great, thank you… And thanks again for letting me stay here.”
“Well there is no way we’re gonna let you stay at Valley View Lodge.”
“I actually stopped there for directions yesterday. The restaurant seemed okay.”
Norah wore a white apron that was intricately embroidered with pink and blue flowers. She reached into the oven to pull out biscuits as she said, “I’ve never been, but Jan’s sister, Lois, stayed there and said the lodge is a hot mess. I think they’re still using bedding from the fifties.”
