Immediately after graduating high school, Chase started working for his father, who runs a small construction company.
He rubs the back of his neck. “Uh, yeah. I actually run things now. Dad decided to retire last year.”
“Congratulations on the promotion,” I reply and mean it.
Chase’s expression turns from sad to bewildered. “You’re not going to ask me about Amelia or what happened?”
Laughter bubbles out of me. “Hell no. Besides, you already told me what happened.”
“And you believe me?”
Feeling hungry again, I pick my wrap back up. I don’t like eating in front of people, but for some reason, eating in front of Chase doesn’t bother me.
“My sister is a cold-hearted bitch. There is no love lost between us,” I say as way of explanation.
“Not going to argue with you there.” He picks at a large splinter of wood on the picnic table with his fingernail. “Thank you. It’s nice talking to someone from Woodspire who doesn’t look at me like I’m the devil reincarnated.”
I cover my mouth when I laugh again. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
We share a smile. It reminds me how easy it used to be to talk to him. We may not have been friends back in school but tutoring someone almost every day for months tends to lead to casual conversation.
Chase was the all-around golden boy. Varsity quarterback. Student council president. Everyone’s friend. Good-looking. Not Jordan good-looking, but I’d be blind not to notice Chase’s chiseled square jaw, caramel-colored eyes, and twin dimples that pop out when he smiles. Which he used to do a lot.
Leaning forward again, he asks, “So, how long are you in town for?”
Finished eating, I ball everything up and put it back inside the bag to throw away. “Don’t know yet. I do need to find a job though. I’ve been driving around all day looking for one.”
Chase’s hands do an impromptu drum roll on the picnic table. “You can work for me. My office assistant is about to have a baby and will be on maternity leave. I was going to get someone from the temp agency to fill in for Paula. It’s yours if you want it.”
He says it so nonchalantly, it takes me a second to understand that he just offered me a job.
“Are you for real?”
“It’s nothing big. Answering the phone, filing stuff, keeping my schedule updated and reminding me of meetings. Stuff like that,” he plows on.
I pull my bottom lip between my teeth. “I don’t know.”
I need fast employment. Badly need it, I remind myself, thinking of what’s left in my savings.
Chase reaches across the picnic table, covering my hands with his. “It’ll be perfect. I need someone to help temporarily, and you need a temporary job. I’d be an idiot not to hire the smartest girl from school to come work for me.” His infectious grin is so endearing.
All the reasons to say yes tick through my mind one by one.
“I can’t,” I finally conclude. “But thank you so much for the offer.”
After turning down Jordan last night, even if the job was more than likely fake, it doesn’t feel right to now say yes to Chase.
“If you change your mind,” he replies.
I look down at our joined hands and make another choice I hope to God I’m not going to regret later.
I forgive myself for my past mistakes. Wouldn’t that also include others, not just myself?
“You know what I do need much more than I need a job?”
One dark eyebrow arches in interest.
“A friend,” I say.
