“I understand. How about this—would you like to email me a list of questions so you can sit down and pull your thoughts together?”
I nod. “Yes. That would be helpful.”
“You have my contact information, and I look forward to hearing from you.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Oh, and Megan?”
“Yes?”
“I’m serious. If you have competing offers or have taken another position, I’ll match salaries. I need you.”
I slow blink, blindsided by her admission. “Okay. I’ll email you next week.”
“Have a good weekend,” she says.
“You, too. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
I end the call and stand frozen in place. “What just happened?”
The door swings open, and Chase walks in clad in a pair of gray sweatpants sans shirt. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he knows exactly what he’s doing.
I turn away before I drool and take out two plates, glasses, and a Sprite. I hold up a beer, offering it to Chase. He nods and picks up the pizzas.
“You know,” I say, following him into the living room. “I thought we said no lingerie.”
He puts the pizzas on the ottoman. “Huh. I don’t remember that one. Why? Do you want to break out something sexy tonight?”
“Uh, no. Maybe I lumped it in with no cleavage.”
He looks at his chest. “Yeah, well, I don’t have any of that, so I’m good.”
“Gray sweatpants are men’s lingerie. Everyone knows that.”
He snorts, opening the boxes. “Who made up that bullshit?”
“Not me, but I concur.”
Slowly, he stands and runs a hand down his abs. He smirks. “Want me to change?”
“I do not.” I put a slice of pizza on my plate, not looking at Chase, and then sit at one end of the couch. “Fridays are pizza and movies. Is that right?”
He chuckles. “Yeah. That’s right.”
“We don’t have to do this, you know. I can go to my room and hang out—give you some space. Or I can even take your mom’s car and?—”
“Respectfully, hush.” He grins. “You’re not going anywhere. Eat your pizza and relax.”
“Yes, sir.”
He rolls his tongue around his mouth but doesn’t say anything.
After grabbing a couple of pieces of pizza and his beer, he sits on the other side of the sofa. He hands me the remote, giving me a look not to argue with him, then gets comfortable.
I have no idea what to watch. So instead, I decide to talk.
