Priya studied him for a long moment. I could see her running through some internal checklist.
“You kissed him in a restaurant tonight,” she said finally—a statement, not a question. How the hell did she already know? “On purpose. Knowing people were recording it.”
“I did. I kind of set it up, actually.”
She cocked her head at that. “Why?”
“Because I wanted everyone—especially Finn—to know I’m not hiding him, that I’m proud to be with him.”
Something in Priya’s expression shifted.
“Okay.” She turned to me and nodded once. “I like this one. He may stay.”
Chase blinked. “Thank you?”
I didn’t dare speak.
“You are welcome.” She popped another Pringle in her mouth. “But if you hurt him, we know where you live. I am an ER doctor. I know at least forty-seven ways to cause pain without leaving marks.”
This time, not only did Chase not flinch, he smiled. “Noted.”
“Also, I’m very good at making things look like accidents.”
“Priya!”I snapped.
“What? I am merely establishing boundaries.” She batted her lashes at Chase. “We are clear, yes?”
“Crystal,” Chase said, and I could hear the amusement in his voice.
“Excellent.” Priya stood up, gathering her hot chocolate and Pringles. “Then I’m going to my room to watch trashy reality television and pretend I can’t hear how you defile my couch. It was nice meeting you, Chase. Finn, don’t screw this up. I like this one, even if he is a blood-sucking lawyer.”
She disappeared down the hallway. I swear I heard the Wicked Witch’s theme as she strode away, just how they did for Lucy Liu inAlly McBeal.
Chase and I sat in silence for a moment.
Then he started laughing.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, standing up and running a hand through my hair. “She’s . . . protective.”
“She might be the most amazing woman ever,” Chase said, also standing. “She’s also terrifying, but mostly amazing.”
I gaped. “She threatened to kill you.”
“She threatened to hurt me and make it look like an accident. There’s a difference.”
“I can’t believe you’re laughing about this.”
“What else am I going to do?” Chase crossed to where I stood. “She loves you and wants to make sure you’re okay. That’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’swhat I might hope to do . . . you know . . . one day . . . if things go well.”
Now I really didn’t know what to say.
“I should go,” he said, though he didn’t move toward the door. “Let you get some sleep.”
“Yeah. Probably.”
We were close enough that I could smell his cologne and see the little flecks of green in his hazel eyes.
“Walk me out like a proper gent?” he asked, an infuriating smirk teasing his lips.
