Page 66 of Chasing Forever

“I glanced over and saw your sister reading one of my novels, and I…I don’t know exactly. I got excited, and then I dropped my book. When I leaned over to pick it up, I fell. It was a stupid mistake.”

He looked directly into her eyes and softly smiled. “I’m sorry it happened.”

“Me too.”

She had a feeling they were referring to more than her fall. She was just about to ask where he’d been when Miranda came racing toward them with a box of bandages and a washcloth.

She handed them to Chase, who immediately went to work patching Callie up.

“Quite a memorable way to meet one of your favorite authors, huh?” he said over his shoulder.

“I’m Miranda, Chase’s one and only sister and your number one fan,” Miranda stated.

Callie smiled and offered her hand, which Miranda eagerly shook. “I don’t usually meet my fans this way. Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m just so happy to finally meet you, and I’m glad you weren’t seriously hurt.”

“Just my pride,” Callie said.

“There. Good as new,” Chase proclaimed, sitting back on his haunches.

“Thanks. I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble, especially with your sister visiting.” She wondered if he’d picked up on the double meaning and hoped he had.

“She just arrived this morning, but I planned on introducing you.”

“I didn’t give him much notice, but he offered to meet me in Oahu and fly over here with me, so I took him up on it.”

“Oahu?” Callie said, directing her question to Chase.

“It’s a long story…”

“I’d like to hear it,” she said.

“Maybe over dinner?” Miranda inserted.

“Give her a break. She’s hurt,” Chase scolded.

“I’ll be fine, and I’d like to get to know your ‘one and only sister,’” Callie said.

Miranda looked thrilled, and Chase less so, but he glanced between the two women and caved.

“Fine. But I’m driving.”

Miranda rolled her eyes at him. “Men!”

Chapter 30

Chase wasn’t sure going out to dinner with his sister and Callie was such a great idea. He couldn’t get a word in edgewise, and it was driving him crazy. He had so much to say to Callie, yet Miranda wouldn’t stop gushing, and Callie seemed equally smitten with her. It was maddening!

“So, how do you come up with ideas for your novels?” Miranda asked in between bites of salmon.

“I’m sure Callie doesn’t want to talk about this all night long, sis.”

“It’s okay. I like talking about books anytime,” Callie said.

Chase sighed and took another swig of beer. He might as well settle into it.

“I find inspiration everywhere,” Callie began. “From a trip to the grocery store to a trip to Hawaii.” She shot Chase a glance that sent a spark of desire straight to his… Not now! My sister’s here.