“Chase!” I turn and see his uncle Ray hopping up and down by the lake. “Found the key! It was in my pocket!”
Thinking quickly, I grab Chase’s arm. “Actually, I could use your help with something.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Down by the paddleboat. If Meg doesn’t mind us sneaking away.”
She pops a fry in her mouth. “I’m literally already playing bingo in my head. Go.”
“Thanks,” I whisper, then pull on Chase’s arm. “Come on.”
“I can’t believe there’s something wrong with that boat already,” he says, moving through the crowd beside me. “I just checked it over the other week.”
“Well, it’s not so much of a physical problem.”
“What kind of a problem is it?”
We walk up to the edge of the water, where the paddleboat waits away from the crowd. “The kind of problem where you looked like you couldn’t get a minute to breathe.”
“Oh.” He stares at me and then chuckles. “You’re a troublemaker, aren’t you?”
I lift the sandwich and finally take a bite, the savory, lemony, buttery flavor exploding in my mouth, like heaven between the crusty white bread. “I’m sorry, I just had a food-induced orgasm. What was that?”
Chase shoves his hands in his pockets. “Thanks for dragging me away.”
“Anytime.” I’m quite pleased I read the situation right. It’s obvious that Chase likes taking care of people and doing stuff around town, but the man deserves a little rest too. “Although when the cover band starts up, I assume you’ll run off to the dance floor.”
He rocks back on his heels, watching me eat. “Come to think of it, I will have to drag those speakers over soon.”
I wince. “Yikes. In that case, better go out on the paddleboat with me again.”
“Oh yeah?”
I glance around. “Only place to hide, far as I can see.”
Chase shrugs. “Okay.”
I didn’t expect that line to work, but a second later, he’s pushing the boat out to the water, and I’m cramming fries in my mouth as I hurry after him. I fold up my paper plate and jump in the bucket seat right as he sits down, and we bob in the waves, water splashing on my shoes.
I start pedaling fast. “Quick,” I say, “before you change your mind.”
He laughs and sinks back in the seat. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“You don’t strike me as the kind of guy who usually plays hooky.”
“You’re right. I’m not.” We pedal away from the shore, the noise of the crowd quieting. “I guess you’re a bad influence.”
I smile proudly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You play hooky a lot?”
“No,” I answer truthfully. “I work my ass off. I went straight from undergrad to getting my masters in gender and sexuality studies, with every summer spent working overtime. But that’s why it’s important to play hard too.” I pop another fry in my mouth. “Plus, even when I’m working, I try to always have fun.”
“I enjoy my work too.” Chase nods, seems to be considering what I said. He’s much taller than I am, and his legs are folded up to fit in the little plastic boat. “You sound like a man who knows what he wants.”
“I am.”
I let my eyes settle on his face, trying to read his emotions. His brow is furrowed, and he looks lost in his thoughts.
