Page 29 of The Meeting
Chase set the beer in the small cooler near Logan’s feet and pulled one out, popping the cap off before handing it over to him.
Logan nodded his thanks and then took a long pull from the bottle. “Beautiful day out.”
Chase’s eyes strayed back over to where Kailynn now stood, pulling on a dress over her suit before making her way over to them.
“Sure is.”
“Hey, Chase.” She propped her sunglasses on the top of her head and gave him a smile that could stop anyone in their tracks. Despite the current situation she was going through, she managed to find happiness and a spark to fight for what she deserved. The fierceness in her eyes sent his blood flowing.
“Hey, Kailynn. Enjoying the sun?”
“I most certainly am. Care to join me?”
“I would love to.”
Before they could walk away, Logan called out. “Burgers will be done in five.”
Kailynn tugged her dress off once again, depositing it on top of the bag sitting on the ground near her lounge chair.
Chase sat down on the one next to hers, pulling his shirt off. He decided to go with his baby blue board shorts. He didn’t have many to choose from since he wasn’t much for buying several different items of clothing that he wouldn’t necessarily need. But, with board shorts, he always kept two on hand in case he was going to the beach two days in a row and one pair was still wet. The blue ones had been ones his ex-wife had chosen. She said they brought out the color in his eyes. Part of him wanted to get rid of anything she had ever purchased for him, but then he wouldn’t have much as far as clothes went, and he didn’t enjoy shopping.
Maybe Kailynn would help me find new clothes.
He caught Kailynn looking him up and down, and he beamed at her. Her eyes met his, and she immediately blushed before dropping her sunglasses back over her eyes. He chuckled.
“How’s your day been going?” Chase asked, turning his head toward where she was stretched out on her chair.
Her face turned toward him and he badly wished she’d take off her sunglasses so he could see where her eyes were looking. “It’s been good so far. I spent most of the morning working. I’ve had a sudden burst of inspiration.”
“That’s great! What are you working on?” He didn’t know anything about fashion, but the fact that it interested her made it a little more interesting for him. He still wasn’t about to go shopping for clothes anytime soon, but if she wanted to talk fashion, he was game.
“A few dresses. I’ve had some ideas for some great formals that I think I could pitch to some local department stores. I’m hoping they could take them before prom season. It would be nice to get some sales in soon.” She blushed and then lifted her sunglasses up, displaying her beautiful brown eyes.
“I hate to admit it because it makes me sound like a bitch, but I really hesitate on trying to get anymore sales until after this split is complete because I don’t want to make any more money for Drew.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and a guilty look flashed across her face. “I’m horrible, aren’t I?”
He propped himself up on his side and leaned toward her. “Darling, you are anything but horrible.”
A blush crept up her cheeks, and she dropped the sunglasses over her eyes again. “After everything he has done, I don’t feel like he deserves anything else from me. But at the same time, I don’t want to prevent myself from making money. I don’t have much in reserves to live off of, so preventing myself from making money just so he won’t make any isn’t exactly the smartest idea. But I’m just so angry. I can’t help wanting to be vengeful. Not to mention that I would also have to speak to Jessica about uploading the new designs, and I’m not ready to speak to her yet.”
He reached out toward her, wanting to take her hand, but pulled back. “You don’t have to explain. I completely understand why you feel that way. I would honestly feel the same.”
She laughed nervously and the slight tilt of her head told him she was looking at where his hand had retreated and he wondered if she had wanted him to touch her. “He doesn’t have a way of making money if I’m not producing new products. Unless he somehow finds someone to purchase the few items that haven’t sold yet. Since he hasn’t had a huge motivation to do that, I highly doubt he will. He’s probably living with one of his new girlfriends anyway, and they were clearly making a nice profit off our company, so—” She shrugged. “I guess I’m only really hurting myself by not trying to make money at this point.” She glanced down and then back up at him. “I’m sorry. I’m rambling.”
He shook his head. “You aren’t rambling. I enjoy hearing you talk about your work.”
She gave a slight laugh. “Even if I’m bitching about my ex?”
“Even if you’re bitching about your ex. Which is completely justified, by the way. But even if it wasn’t, it would be fine.”
A smile lit her face.
“Have you heard from Jessica at all?” Chase asked.
“A little. I don’t know if she feels guilty or is worried I’ll lash out at her, but she’s been keeping her distance for the most part.”
“Do you think she knows you know?”
“I’m honestly not sure, but I find it odd for her to avoid me when she knows I’m going through a lot. It’s just odd for a friend to treat another friend that way. But I guess she wasn’t truly a friend since she was stealing from me and possibly sleeping with my boyfriend.” She shrugged.
