Page 28 of The Meeting
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Kailynn’s head snapped up to find Chase watching her. She sighed and fiddled with the napkin on the table. “There isn’t really anything to talk about. I mean, you obviously know the situation. I’m just frustrated that he basically took all of our, all ofmymoney and gave it away.”
“It was crummy of him, that’s for sure.”
She sighed. “I would like to forget about it for the rest of the night and just focus on us.” Her eyes widened as she realized she basically insinuated they were in a relationship. “I mean, just focus on us as friends and enjoy each other for the night.”
A hint of a smile played at his lips, and then he nodded, keeping his comments to himself.
* * *
When Kailynn arrived home,Abi and Logan were sitting on the couch watching a movie. She tried to slip into her room to give them some privacy, but Abi called out to her.
“Out with Chase?”
Kailynn blushed profusely and bit her lip. “Yes, but it wasn’t a date.”
“Sure,” Abi said, smirking.
Kailynn sighed and dropped herself into a chair near the couch. “He’s just being a friend.”
“How are you holding up?” Logan asked.
After Kailynn had found out about Drew’s payouts to his secret girlfriend and to Jessica, Abi and Logan had caught Kailynn researching Sheila while stuffing pizza in her face. It wasn’t her best moment, but they knew something was wrong as soon as they saw her.
Chase’s findings hadn’t surprised Logan since he had reviewed the financials. While they were all happy to know that her business could easily thrive without the extra payouts, they were all sympathetic toward Kailynn at the betrayal she felt.
Abi hadn’t seemed surprised that Jessica betrayed Kailynn like that, but she had no reason to be. Jessica was horrible to Abi in high school and Kailynn had made it all too easy for Jessica to continue it their senior year. Jessica was the reason Kailynn had left Abi for popularity. A decision she would continue to regret the rest of her life… especially now.
“I’m doing okay considering.”
He nodded. “Is there anything we can do?”
She shook her head. “No. I think Chase is doing enough. I know he’s spending much more time than he’ll probably bill me for.”
“It’s because he likes you,” Abi stated.
Kailynn played with a frayed edge of a pillow on the chair. “I hope it’s because he likes me and not because he feels bad for me.”
“I can guarantee it’s because he likes you.”
A flutter went through Kailynn’s chest. She didn’t need a handout, but the thought of him going above and beyond the call of duty for her made her happier than she could ever expect. Happier than she ever was with Drew.
9
Chase walked across the parking lot toward the main administration building of the apartment complex. He walked through the building, smiling at the lady at the front desk helping tenants. Pushing through the double glass doors at the back of the building, he stepped into the pool area. A community pool was fenced in with lounge chairs and tables with chairs scattered about. The pool area was quite empty considering the warm day, but he spotted Abi and Logan standing at the barbecue located on the far end.
Logan pulled hamburger patties out of the small cooler he had brought. Abi laid out various toppings on a nearby table.
Chase glanced around and spotted Kailynn lying out on a lounge chair soaking in the sun. His breath caught at the little yellow bikini she wore that left little to the imagination. Her hair was piled on the top of her head in a messy bun and black-rimmed, oversized sunglasses graced her face. The dark tint of the sunglasses left him wondering if her eyes were opened or closed. He wanted desperately to know if she was watching him the same way he was watching her. This was the most he had seen of her body, and he wondered what he would find under her clothes. This was a good indication, and he imagined her lying naked on the lounge chair.
“Chase?”
He turned toward the sound of his name to find Abi giving him a small, knowing smile. He would have blushed, but he had no shame in checking out Kailynn. She was beautiful, and he was very attracted to her. Abi wasn’t clueless.
“Hey guys,” he said, walking toward them and holding up the two bags of chips he carried in one hand and the case of beer he held in the other. “I brought chips and beer.”
Logan looked over and nodded toward the beer. “Hit me up!”
