“Yeah, I know.” She turns toward the lake, steering into the little town. “Just made me think I wouldn’t have anyone else as my production assistant.” Her smile turns up, becoming almost a grin. “Even though you’re a total pain in the ass.”
“Wow, Meg,” I tease back. “For you, that was like an emotional outburst.”
“Must be the mountain air,” she deadpans.
It’s deeply satisfying to hear her say all that. I need the videos to resonate with a large audience if they’re going to get me anywhere, but knowing my words ring true with her matters in a special way.
I rub her arm. “Thanks, friend.”
Meg pulls the car to the side of the road, and that’s when I recognize where we are.
“Oh my God!” I sit straight up and unbuckle my seat belt. “The shop! You brought me here because you love me and you want me to be happy! You think I should hook up with Chase!” I clap my hands excitedly. “Thanks, Meg!”
“It’s more that I want you to stop talking about whether you’re going to ask him out.” She pushes her sunglasses up on top of her head and meets my eyes. “And I want an ice cream.”
“My treat,” I chirp and jump out of the car.
At heart, I’m a romantic. Hookups don’t scratch that itch, but they sure do scratch a few others.
And just the idea of licking Chase’s hairy chest…
Fuck.
The little wooden shop strikes me as even more charming the second time around, perched up in the sunshine and surrounded by lush mountain woods. I skip beside Meg, then yank the screen door open.
“Help! Help!” I call out. “We’re being attacked by a bear!”
Meg sighs, but half a second later, Chase appears from the back. He’s got a heavy brown toolbelt hanging at his waist, and his Henley is open at the top, showing his dark chest hair. His eyes are wide as he casts his gaze around, then spots us.
“Oh.” He chuckles. “Should have known it was you.”
“You remember Meg,” I say, and my friend nods in greeting.
“Of course.” Chase steps forward and offers his hand to Meg like a total gentleman, then to me. “Good to see you again. Can I get you two anything?”
His grip is strong, and I have to force myself to pull away instead of stroking the back of his hand. “Oh, nothing special,” I say casually, eyeing the rows of locally made goods. “We just came in—”
“I’ll have an ice cream,” Meg interrupts.
Chase rubs his hands together. “Great. Just fired up the freezer for the season a couple of weeks ago.”
“Chocolate,” Meg says.
Chase looks straight at me. His eyes sparkle, chestnut brown.
My knees feel wobbly.
When he keeps staring, Meg clears her throat. “Oh, vanilla,” I say quickly. “And sprinkles if you have them.”
Chase steps behind the counter, where a small ice-cream freezer is waiting. “You two enjoying the lake today?” he asks as he pushes his shirt sleeves up, exposing his hairy, muscly forearms.
I swallow. “We were just on a hike.”
Meg leans back on her heels. “Making a movie.”
I shoot her a glare. I know exactly what she’s thinking. Hiding my project is totally ridiculous, not to mention out of character. I’m usually an open book as a matter of principle.
Chase plops a scoop of ice cream into a cone, one of two in his big hand. “A nature documentary? Is that what you make, Meg?”
