Page 53 of Chasing Forever

“So glad. If only I had a video to prove it. Nobody at home will believe me.”

He chuckled. “I’ll vouch for you.”

She shot him a glance. Had he realized what he’d just said? Did he plan on staying in touch after they returned to Michigan?

“We should celebrate tonight.” Whoa, girl. Jumping off a cliff doesn’t have to be a metaphor for your life.

“Really?” He glanced down at her, surprised.

“Just because we didn’t sleep together doesn’t mean I don’t like hanging out with you.”

“I like hanging out with you too,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Thank goodness they were back to normal again. She’d hated seeing him with Sara. She’d felt like she’d lost him, though he wasn’t hers to lose. She kept having to remind herself of that, but it was getting more difficult by the day.

“Where are you taking me to dinner?” he said.

“My place?”

He came to a dead stop in the middle of the path. “You sure about that?”

“I’m a good cook if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about, and you know it.”

She looked into his gorgeous green-gray eyes and swallowed hard. She knew exactly what he was referring to. “Are you afraid of me?”

He slowly shook his head. “Hell no.”

“Then come over and have dinner.”

He hesitated for a few seconds and then said, “Okay.”

She put on a brave smile. “Good. I’ll need time to change and prepare a few things.”

“No problem. I need a shower anyway.”

Chase in the shower, dripping wet…mmm…

“Can I bring anything?”

Just your gorgeous self. “I think I have everything I need.”

“What about wine?”

“Except that.”

“I’ll bring the wine, then.”

“Great.”

They walked the rest of the way in silence, but her mind was reeling. Had she really just invited him to her place? Talk about tempting fate. But it was too late to retract the invitation, and truthfully, she liked the idea of cooking for him. She hadn’t cooked much at all since being on the island, and a homemade meal sounded like a refreshing change.

“What time do you want me?” he asked once they’d reached their patios.

Oh God. I’m never going to survive tonight. “Six o’clock okay?”

“Works for me.”