The girls were coming back already, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Everything about her look tonight had me staring. I pulled out my chair, gesturing for her to sit. Anxious to feel her silky skin, I rubbed her exposed back and loved the response. Bumps rose under my fingers everywhere I touched her.
“So, when are we going out on a double date?” Evie asked.
Maryellen had mentioned they were interested in doing that. Mitch looked my way and gave a slight eye roll. I shrugged, letting him know I was on board.
“I’m good with that. How about next weekend?” I asked.
Thankfully Maryellen didn’t mention anything about Iggy’s. For my first Friday, I wanted to go in without the big crowd of friends and family I had there this week, so we weren’t telling anyone yet.
“That sounds good, Evie and I can figure something out this week,” Mare said.
“Oh, Maryellen,” Mitch said. “I forgot you used to work for Chase’s dad. He was sitting with us before you guys got here andwas asking about you.” Mitch glanced around the restaurant. “He wanted us to find him when you got here.”
I felt Maryellen’s back stiffen at the mention of my father. She tried to shake it off, but I felt it. The glass shook in her hand as she placed it on the table.
“I worked for him first, before he retired.” Her voice seemed calm, but it had an edge to it.
There was an awkward silence at the table.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the ladies’ room,” she said.
She stood to leave, and Evie did as well. As they were about to walk away, Harper joined us.
“Hey, guys! Thanks for coming.” Harper wrapped her arm around Maryellen, so she sat back down. “Isn’t this place amazing? Thanks to this one here, she got the whole place so we could have a private party.” She pointed to Maryellen who appeared ready to bolt. “And thank you for honoring the no gift request. It gets overwhelming, ya know?”
Harper moved over to talk to Evie. As soon as she did, Maryellen shot up from her seat and left the group, walking toward the back of the restaurant.
Of course, I followed her.
“Mare!”
She wouldn’t stop. Her pace increased.
So did mine.
She was heading toward the back rooms, not the restrooms.
As soon as I reached her, I grabbed her arm and pulled her against me. “Babe, what’s wrong?”
At that moment, Gage and my father walked out of the room they’d been in, their meeting finally over.
They almost collided with us.
“Sorry, guys,” Gage said. “Didn’t expect anyone to be back here.”
Maryellen turned toward her boss’s voice and froze.
“Hello, Maryellen,” my father said. His gaze shifted to me next, a perplexed look on his face. “Chase? What is this?”
Maryellen’s entire body shook in my hold. Then she subtly slid away from me, putting the slightest bit of distance between us until no part of her and me was touching.
“Hello…Robert,” she said in a shaky voice.
My father looked back and forth between us. I knew this would surprise him, but I wanted to tell him in person. He loved Maryellen, and I figured he would be happy for both of us.
But the look on his face as he stared at us confused me.
Maryellen started pulling away.
