Page 40 of The Meeting
She looked down at her pink and blue striped pajama pants and the pale blue tank top she wore and shrugged. Grabbing a sweatshirt off the floor in the corner of her room, she yanked it over her head.
Chase was holding the door open when she walked over. He wore grey sweatpants and a red t-shirt that hugged his sides.
She smiled up at him as she walked through the door. His dining room table was covered with papers and a mug of coffee sat in the middle.
“Working?”
He laughed. “Unfortunately. I couldn’t sleep and thought this might help.”
“I can’t imagine the coffee is helping much.”
“It’s decaf.”
She raked her lower lip between her teeth and hugged her arms around herself. He stepped toward her and gestured to the living room couch.
“Care to sit?”
“I’d love to.”
After they both settled on the couch, she could feel him watching her while she picked at her fingers.
“Nervous?”
“I’m kind of freaking out,” she whispered. “Everything is going to come to light with Jessica and Sheila. I guess I kind of hope everything with Jessica is just a misunderstanding.”
“I can understand that. I think it’s best if you go in expecting the worst, though. That way you won’t feel so blindsided if it goes south.”
“I know. It doesn’t make it easier though.”
They sat in silence for a second, and she wondered if she should have just stayed in bed. Chase scooted closer to her and took her hand in his.
“Everything is going to be okay. I’ll fight for you.”
She knew he meant for the mediation, but part of her wondered if he also meant he would fight to haveher. She leaned into him, and he wrapped an arm around her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he whispered into her hair before resting his cheek on the top of her head.
She let out a loud sigh. “I’m having a hard time with this.”
“I know. Hopefully it’ll all be over tomorrow.”
“I wasn’t referring to the mediation.”
He pulled away slightly, so she could look up at him. His eyes drifted to her lips.
“I wasn’t either,” he said, his voice low and sexy.
She looked between his eyes and lips. “Please kiss me.”
He shook his head. “We can’t—”
“Only a kiss.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop myself after a kiss.”
“I’ll stop us,” she whispered, her lips inching closer to his.
