“We can have Jack or even Greg help with that.”
“Nope. Only Chase.”
“Okay then, I’ll rephrase.” Max took a long drink of his wine, finishing off the glass, and took a step closer to me. He bent down to where only I could hear what he was about to say. “What can Chase bring to your photos that Jack or Greg can’t?”
I looked Max dead in the eyes because I knew the answer so perfectly. It was one of the biggest reasons I had fallen in love with Chase.
“He can give them soul.”
Chase
I walked into the party about an hour late after spending way too much time trying to find the right suit in my closet that would impress Erica. I didn’t dress up much around the office, just wearing jeans and shirts, and this was the first holiday party where glamour was required. Max’s exact words.
I had settled on an all-black suit with a dusty rose tie. It was simple, but gave a little flare.
My eyes scanned the ballroom, looking for Erica first, but instead I found Max hovering over some woman. I needed Max’s head in the game for the conversation he needed to have with Erica.
I “accidentally” stumbled upon her photos one day when he was over at the apartment and quickly convinced him on the fact she should be doing our photos for our covers and graphics. He didn’t seem to take to the idea, but when I showed him more of what she could do compared to other cover art out there, he changed his mind quickly.
I moved closer and a glimpse of a rose gold sequin dress I had seen the other day flashed before me. I stopped, taking in a deep breath as the face in the dress became Erica’s.
My peaches stood there next to Max, who was bent far too close to her for my liking. That dress hugged every damn curve she had. I trailed my eyes down her body to the shoes that peaked under it that matched completely. I remembered that dress so vividly in McAdam’s, but I had no idea the person who had asked for my opinion on it was Erica’s mother. I had basically told her I would marry her daughter in this dress, and now here she was, standing in the same room with it on.
I pushed my feet forward and made my way to where they were. Erica’s eyes came to mine and a soft smile graced her lips. I mimicked the movement when I came up to them, completely blocking Max’s view of her by standing between them.
“You look stunning.”
I leaned down toward her, just like Max had been, so only she could hear me.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” She winked and my heart skipped a beat at the playfulness in her voice.
We had never been like this before, flirting with each other, but I liked it. I liked it a little too much, especially with Max behind me clearing his throat.
“We were just talking about the addition to Erica’s position.”
“And?” I looked from Max and back to Erica. I was hoping she would have said yes right away, but I was willing to make sure Max did everything we could to appease her now in order to get her answer.
“She said yes, but with a stipulation.” Max crossed him arms over his chest and rolled his eyes. He didn’t mind a good holdout, but something else seemed to be bothering him about this.
“What is it?” I stared down at Erica, focusing on the dress she was wearing and how I wished I could make true to the promise I had made her mother right here and right now. There was a ring with her name on it at home that I had picked up at McAdam’s the other day. The second I saw the ring, I knew it was meant for her, no matter how long I had to wait to get it on her finger.
“I want you to work with me.” Erica’s voice was soft, nothing above a whisper that breathed between us. It breathed life into me, a life I was about to latch on to and live out to the fullest. Her eyes danced back and forth between mine after the admission. My heart took it as she wanted me, not just to work with me. She was choosing me and that had me saying yes without knowing what exactly she wanted.
“Done.”
My word was final. Max scoffed behind me, but I didn’t care how much I knew Max was about to object to me taking on something else that wasn’t doing final edits for every single book that came through our doors.
“Chase.” My name came out as a scold, but I still refused to turn around. I was never one to make rash decisions, but if this was something Erica wanted, I would give it to her. I would give her anything. “Word, please?”
I finally turned around and followed Max, but made sure to keep Erica in my eye line. She stood next to the far wall by herself, but she looked at peace being alone. Her eyes watched with curiosity and Max had to snap his fingers in front of my face to catch my attention.
“Tell me what’s going on,” he demanded.
“Nothing.”
I stuck my hands into the pockets of my pants and played dumb.
“You know. I saw something when she first started, but didn’t think more of it because you kept it professional, but now.” He shook his head in what I assumed was disbelief. “What I just saw here tonight is something we all can see, Chase. So what gives?”
Max had caught me red-handed and it took his words for me to realize that the last night and sending Erica out for groceries wasn’t a set-up, but a test. Max could see something was going on, but couldn’t pinpoint it and now I had stepped right up to the plate, giving him everything he needed. But I wouldn’t give him all of it.
“Not telling. Told you that a long time ago.” I met his eyes dead-on so he could catch my meaning. I had told all the guys years ago that my heart did belong to someone and that they would never know about it. I might be giving Max the biggest hint he would ever get, but I needed him to know this wasn’t just something that was happening. It was something that had been set by fate a long time ago.
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
His words were a warning as we both looked back at Erica, who was standing there, now with a drink in her hand and Lilly by her side. The smile on Erica’s face brightening not just the entire room, but also my heart.
“Trust me, I do.”
