“Can I have a copy?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Chase winks at me.
“Same,” Jordan says.
Chase’s phone chimes. “Debbi wants to know who the hell the girl Jordan is all over like a dog in heat. Doug-a-less Don-nell-y,” he says as he types his reply.
“What did I miss?” Harper asks, skipping into the room. Her phone call with Bennett must have been good.
Chase’s phone starts chiming like crazy with incoming texts, but he doesn’t look at them, only pockets his phone and whistles.
“Just sending a big fuck you to Douglass’s high school arch nemesis.”
Harper pouts. “I miss all the fun.”
Chase claps his hands and briskly rubs them together. “Okay, folks. I have to head in to the office in an hour, so let’s get some breakfast made. Everyone is welcome to hang out here. Just don’t eat everything in my pantry or steal my beer.” He looks directly at Mike.
“Whatever.”
I scoot off Jordan’s lap and give Chase a hug. “Thank you for everything.”
“My pleasure. I’ll leave you a set of keys. I had all the locks changed.”
Meaning I’m safe from Amelia popping in unexpectedly.
Jordan comes to my side, wraps an arm around my waist, and holds out his hand to Chase. Chase takes it.
“Thanks for looking out for her. I’m glad she has you as a friend.”
“You’re welcome, and it’s the other way around.”
Jordan nods at Chase’s bruised cheek. “I’m sorry for hitting you.”
“Nah, man. I get it. It’s okay.”
“I still want to apologize. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Chase holds out his fist for Jordan to bump. “Apology accepted.”
I peer over at Mike, who’s watching their interaction. Does he feel it too? This monumental thing happening right in front of us. Mike smiles at me and nods.
“And you were right. What you said the other day,” Chase says to Jordan.
“I’m sorry.”
Chase’s smile is sad. “I’m not.”
When Chase walks out, followed by Mike and Mason, I tilt my head to look up at Jordan.
“What were you right about?”
“Amelia wasn’t pregnant.”
She really was lying? Poor Chase. He may not have wanted to have a kid with Amelia, but he did want to be a father. I remember the way he looked at the little boy in the park.
I reach for Harper’s hand.
“Before we join them, can I talk to you both for a second?”
