Page 112 of The Meeting
“You know, with all of this stuff that’s been going on with Drew and Jessica, I got caught up in it all. I was flirting with Chase because I really like him. But now that the court stuff is over, I’m wondering how much of it was for the thrill.”
“But you love Chase.”
Kailynn stared back at Maddie. She hadn’t said love before. She felt it, but she hadn’t said it out loud. Tears pressed at the backs of her eyes before pouring down her face.
“I do love him.”
“So what’s the problem?”
She didn’t know. Every problem she previously felt seemed to melt away. Drew was with Jessica, or not. She didn’t care. They were awful to her, and she shouldn’t be giving them a second thought, while she had wonderful and amazing Chase.
Chase was everything. He was sweet and thoughtful and smart. Chase was everything she had wanted Drew to be, but Drew fell short. So very short.
Chase was the love of her life.
“I screwed up,” Kailynn whispered. She stared at the package leaning against the wall, wrapped in brown paper. It was a gift for Chase that she had asked Abi to paint for her when they got back from Montana. But now it only sat as a reminder that they weren’t together.
Abi had been almost finished with it when Kailynn and Chase broke up. Kailynn told Abi to finish it, anyway. She had hoped that one day, even if she and Chase weren’t together, that she could still give him the gift as friends.
Maddie pointed. “Let’s get you dressed and looking cute, and you’re going to go knock that boy off his feet.”
“But what if he won’t take me back?”
“He will.”
“But what if he doesn’t?”
“Kailynn, I saw Chase on Friday when I left. He didn’t look well. I think he misses you just as much as you miss him.”
Kailynn’s heart squeezed. Chase hurt because of her.
Maddie leaned forward and squeezed Kailynn’s hand.
“Let’s get you dressed.”
* * *
Chase steppedinto his favorite Italian restaurant. The owner had called him earlier and asked if he’d like to come for dinner. They had gotten some new wines in and wanted Chase to be the first to try them. It wasn’t unusual that they asked his opinion on the food and drinks since he was a regular and they knew his Italian roots. He gladly accepted the distraction.
The hostess led him to the courtyard out back, which was empty except for one table. A candle was lit in the center and two places had been set. Chase looked back at her with a questioning gaze.
“I thought you wanted me to try some new wines. Is someone else coming?”
Kailynn stepped out from behind the hostess and smiled. She looked gorgeous. A dark purple dress hugged her body and her hair was pinned in loose curls around her face.
She took a hesitant step toward him as the hostess left them alone.
“Hi.” She gestured around them. “I wasn’t sure if you would want—”
He took a quick step forward and pulled her into his arms, silencing her with a kiss. She felt amazing in his arms, and she immediately relaxed, circling hers around his neck and pulling him closer.
“I’ve missed you,” he finally said when he pulled back. He pressed his lips against hers again, never wanting to be apart.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. He brushed his hand along her cheek.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. You were doing what you felt was best for yourself and for us. I will never blame you for that.”
