by Melody Grace
“Me neither.” Letitia let the covers fall around her waist. She leaned back, feeling sexy and wanton as Chase’s gaze raked over her body. “But if you have to go…”
He made another noise of protest. “Now you’re just torturing me.”
“Maybe.” Letitia grinned, and covered herself again. “But don’t worry, you can make it up to me later.”
“Why don’t you come with me?”
The question came out of nowhere, so casual that Letitia wasn’t sure she’d heard him right. “To dinner?” she asked, surprised. “To meet your family?”
“Not like that,” Chase gave a chuckle. “It’s just a casual get-together. Some grilling, some beers. Should be fun.”
Letitia nodded, her mind racing. “Sure. I’ll come. I mean, if you’re sure you want me to.”
“It’s your call.” Chase gave an easy shrug, as if the invitation was no big deal. And maybe it wasn’t. They weren’t dating, after all. She already knew most of his family from around town.
This didn’t have to mean anything.
“Let me grab some clothes,” Letitia said, deciding. She had to eat, didn’t she? “Meet you out front in twenty minutes?”
Chase looked baffled. “What do you need that long for?”
“To make myself presentable!” Letitia said, already scrambling for her closet. But Chase intercepted her, pulling her into his arms.
“You’re perfect just the way you are.”
Letitia melted a little. “That’s sweet,” she said, dropping a kiss on his cheek. “Totally wrong, but sweet.”
“Make it ten minutes,” he said, releasing her. “Or I’m putting you over my shoulder and carrying you there, presentable or not!”
In the end, she made it out the door in a record eight minutes flat, in jeans and a cute embroidered blouse, with her damp hair twisted up on top of her head. “See?” Chase said, greeting her in the driveway. “Gorgeous.”
Letitia smiled. It was alright for him, he looked perfect even with three days of stubble on his face, and shaggy hair that was now in desperate need of a trim. “Guys don’t understand,” she said, as they began strolling up the coastal road. “But I guarantee, the one day I leave the house in sweatpants and no makeup, that’s the day I run into three ex-boyfriends and my college nemesis.”
“You have a nemesis?” Chase looked amused.
“Emma Crawford,” she replied immediately. “She lived just down the hall from me in our dorm, and threw super-exclusive parties every weekend that she never invited me to. I had to wear earplugs to block out of the sound of all their happy partying.”
“Ouch,” Chase winced. “What happened to her?”
“Nothing bad,” Letitia said with a sigh. “But I did see her at an event last year, and she had a terrible haircut,” she added, trying – and failing – to hide her grin. “Some people should never get bangs.”
“I’ll remember to tell my barber,” Chase said with a smirk.
They chatted for the rest of the walk over, about their childhoods, and high school. It was all so natural and easy that by the time they reached his grandfather’s place, Letitia had almost forgotten to be nervous about showing up out of nowhere to a family event.
Almost.
“What will they think?” she asked, with a flicker of trepidation, as they walked up the drive. “That you’ve brought me, I mean.”
Chase shrugged, infuriatingly casual. “That there’s an extra pair of hands for frisbee. How are you at competitive sports, by the way? You have a look, like you could be hiding a ruthless streak.”
“What look?” Letitia protested, laughing.
“It’s a good thing, believe me,” he grinned. “Kinsellas play to win.”
As they approached the house, voices and laughter came drifting from the backyard. Chase led her around, to where the gathering was already well underway. Alice was manning a smoking grill, while Jackson and Luke brought out dishes to an already-groaning table of food. There was a dog racing around, barking wildly, and Earl was watching it all from his chair on the back porch, chatting with Cassie and Wes.
“Letitia? Hi!” Natalie was the first to notice them. She greeted Letitia with a hug – and a curious look. “It’s great to see you. I didn’t know you and Chase were…” she trailed off, looking back and forth between them.
“Oh, we’re not,” Letitia said quickly. “But I heard this was the place to be for a great meal.”
“I can’t promise that,” Natalie said, smiling. “But since Alice took over grilling duties, the odds have gone way up.”
“Hey!” Luke overheard. “Were you insulting my grill skills? That’s a low blow for a guy,” he added, and Natalie laughed.
“I think your manhood will survive. Besides, have you seen her schedule? She has everything timed down to the minute.”
“OK, OK,” Luke said, with an exaggerated sigh. “I’ll let Alice have this one – for now.”
He gave Natalie an indulgent kiss, and only seemed to realize Chase and Letitia were standing there after he finally drew away. “Beer?” he offered them.
“Not if you brought it.” Chase shot back.
The brothers headed over to the makeshift bar area, bickering over taste in IPAs and import brands, while Letitia finally felt herself relax.
Chase had been right. This wasn’t a big deal, and she felt embarrassed to have even thought about it like that. He wasn’t bringing home a girlfriend, they were just hanging out. So, she went to say ‘hi’ to Alice and Wes, grabbing a beer on her way over, and joining the debate about pizza.
“Deep dish, all the way,” Wes was insisting.
“Sacrilege,” Alice said, laughing. “Thin and crispy, pepperoni. So you can eat more, not fill up on empty carbs.”
“Hmm, I like your logic, if not your results.” he said. “What about you, Tish?”
“I’m with Alice,” she said. “But don’t actually like pepperoni,” she admitted, and there were gasps all around.
“You should know, them be fighting words around here,” Chase joined her, murmuring in her ear.
Letitia’s body reacted right away: Her skin prickling just from the brush of his lips against her hair.
“You’re going to kick me out of the club over pizza?” she asked, trying to stay cool.
“I’m afraid so. Luke broke up with a girl once because she liked Hawaiian toppings.”
She blinked. “He didn’t!”
“Cross my heart,” Chase replied, popping a chip in his mouth. “I mean, sure, we were in high-school, and things weren’t going great between them. But that pineapple was the final straw.”
Letitia shook her head, laughing. “Can you believe this?” she asked Alice.
“Oh, I believe it,” the other woman replied, with an exasperated smile. “I’ve seen them come to blows over the ratio of cheese to crust. More than once.”
Letitia looked at Chase, disbelieving. He gave a bashful shrug. “It’s an art!”
She laughed.
“Ahem,” Cassie interrupted them with a pointed cough. “Chase, how is it you always show up too late to help with anything?”
“It’s a gift?” he said, grinning.
Cassie rolled her eyes, and elbowed Chase. Seeing them together, the resemblance was clear, in their playful blue eyes and mischievous smiles.
“Don’t think you’ll get out of dish duty,” Cassie warned him. “Letitia, back me up here. Promise you’ll stick around long enough to make him scrub a pan.”
“Don’t bring her into this!”
Letitia laughed, and put her hands up. “I’m staying out.”
“Time to eat!” Natalie called, interrupting them, but not for long. The siblings kept up their bickering as they all filled their plates and got settled at the table. Letitia was content to sit back and let them talk around – and over – her. It was all so good-natured: chaotic, and loud, and full of affection. And a world away from her own family dinners.
“
You good?” Chase asked from beside her with a questioning look.
She smiled. “I was just thinking how different this is to family gatherings at my place.”
“Less ravenous animals, I’m sure.” Chase said.
“And he’s not talking about the dog,” Luke added, with a grin. Jackson answered with a growl, grabbing a chicken wing and tearing into it with his bare hands, smearing BBQ sauce around his mouth.
“Ewww!” Alice protested, laughing. She gave him a playful shove. “Am I going to have to hose you down?”
“Feel free.”
Letitia smiled at their clowning. Her family loved each other, of course, but it was a restrained, WASPy kind of love: polite and dignified. This big cacophony of noise and laughter was almost overwhelming, the way everyone elbowed their way into everyone else’s business. But it was sweet, too. They all cared enough to interfere, relaxed enough to be themselves. And as Earl held court, telling some wild story, Letitia wondered what it would like to be a part of the family, not just for an evening, but every Christmas, and birthday—
She stopped herself, before those traitorous thoughts could go any further. She was a plus-one tonight, nothing more. But watching Chase’s siblings, she couldn’t help wondering what made him so different. They were settled, and in love: Building lives with their other halves right here in Sweetbriar Cove as if it were the most natural thing in the world. So clearly, keeping commitment at arm’s length didn’t run in the family.
What made him look around at the happiness his brothers had found, and decide it wasn’t for him?
And could he ever change his mind?
“Another beer?” Chase asked, interrupting her idle thoughts.
Letitia quickly shook her head. What was she thinking? She was forgetting the whole reason she’d made her plan to find a partner: People didn’t change. And if a guy said he wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship, then she was better off listening, instead of spinning wild daydreams that ignored the truth right in front of her.
Whatever she and Chase were doing, it was a temporary high. Like a delicious ice cream, on a hot summer’s day. She should savor it while she could, but not expect anything to last. So, Letitia put thoughts of the future aside, and soaked up the good mood and playful banter for the rest of the night, until soon, all their plates were empty, and the Kinsella siblings had disappeared into the kitchen for dish duty.
“I could get used to this,” Letitia joked, relaxing on the back porch with Alice, Natalie, and Earl.
“It’s definitely a perk of the job,” Alice agreed. She passed Letitia a plate of delicious chocolate truffles, handmade by Natalie at her little store. “Plus, this new candy tradition is great. I don’t suppose you bake anything?” she asked Letitia hopefully. “Cookies? Pie? Elaborate spun sugar masterpieces?”
“No, sorry,” she replied, biting into a truffle.
“Shame.” Alice said. “We need to add to the family rotation. Poor Natalie is on permanent dessert duty.”
“I don’t mind!” Natalie laughed.
“There are worse fates,” Letitia agreed. “But I’m not—I mean, Chase and I…” she added, stumbling to explain. “We’re not…”
“Oh!” Alice looked mortified. “I’m sorry, I just assumed…”
“We’re always happy to meet Chase’s friends,” Earl interrupted loudly. “Even if he’s never brought any of them around to meet us before.”
He gave Letitia a meaningful wink, and she was torn between embarrassment – and curiosity. Chase didn’t bring the women he dated home?
“Well, we’ve already met,” Letitia replied lightly. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten that dance we shared at Lobsterfest!”
Earl chuckled. “How could I? You’re not bad on your feet.”
“That’s what debutante training will do,” Letitia replied, relaxing again. “I can waltz like a pro. Curtsy, too. And walk in a straight line.”
“Wow, they really do prepare you for the real world.” Alice quipped, as Chase and Luke emerged from the house.
“All done,” Luke announced proudly, wiping his hands.
Natalie looked amused. “Listen to them, they act like they just scaled a mountain, instead of squirting some dish soap around.”
“I take my handiwork seriously,” Luke said, settling beside her. “You’ve never seen glasses shine like that.”
Letitia looked to Chase. “You’re not going to brag about your dishwashing prowess?”
Chase gave her a smoky grin. “I don’t need to. I’ve got plenty of other things to brag about.”
Yes, he certainly did.
Letitia tried not to blush, but she was still more than ready when Chase suggested they make a move. They said their goodbyes, and headed back, strolling hand-in-hand on the moonlit country lanes.
“I see what you mean now, about fighting for attention growing up,” she said, thinking of the babble of activity – and how anyone quieter might have gotten lost in the noise.
Chase gave a chuckle. “Yeah, it’s always a zoo with us all around, even now. Sorry,” he added, and Letitia squeezed his hand.
“What for? I like it. It’s so different to how I grew up,” she said, thinking of the careful, styled dinner parties and celebrations. “I mean, I hung out with my cousin, Cal, a lot, but it wasn’t the same.”
“Well, you can feel free to borrow my siblings any time you like,” Chase said. “I guarantee, you’ll be clamoring for peace and quiet again within a week.”
Letitia smiled. “They all seem happy,” she ventured carefully.
“Happy, and ridiculously in love,” Chase agreed. “Believe me, this is them on their best behavior. Things got even crazier when everyone was solo.”
She smiled. “I can’t imagine.”
Letitia wanted to ask what she’d been wondering earlier: why that content, settled future held no appeal for him. Finding someone to love the way that Jackson had found Alice, and Cassie with Wes – that had always been her dream, and she didn’t understand how Chase could have a front-row seat to their happiness but still think that a life like that was limited and dull.
Why he couldn’t want the same things as her?
The question kept circling in her mind, but Letitia couldn’t find the words to ask it out loud. The evening had been so much fun, she didn’t want to ruin things by bringing the mood down. Besides, the reasons wouldn’t make a difference, not when Chase’s mind was clearly made up.
So, instead, she tried to enjoy the cool breeze of their late-night walk, and the distant sound of the waves, and the curl of giddy anticipation in her stomach that grew with every step they took, closer to home.
Closer to her bed.
By the time they reached the shore, Letitia felt flushed, her blood humming a familiar refrain. “So…” she said, coming to a stop outside her beach house.
“So…” Chase echoed. He leaned in, and kissed her lightly, a whisper of a kiss that woke up every nerve in her body, but still left her hungry for more. “I guess I’ll turn in. I want to get an early surf in tomorrow.”
“Oh.” Letitia’s heart sank – until she caught the spark of mischief in his eyes. “Sure, that makes sense,” she agreed, faking a yawn. “I’m beat. Long day.”
“Me too…” Chase tugged her closer, his hands sliding suggestively around her waist. “It’s a shame nothing could help us stay awake a little longer…”
“I can’t think of anything,” Letitia pretended to ponder, even as her body was alert and craving. “Plus, getting eight hours is pretty important. Have you seen the studies about sleep deprivation—“
Chase cut her off with another kiss, this time hot and insistent. Letitia melted into him, their tongues tangling in a deep, sensual dance. When they finally came up for air, she was just about ready to strip his clothes off right there in the front yard.
“I guess I could stay awake a little longer…” she said, teasing.
“If you’re sure.” Chase
smiled at her, heart-stopping in the moonlight.
She wasn’t. Letitia felt a pang. She wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Maybe she was making a massive mistake – but it didn’t feel like a choice, not when her body was calling out to him, and she felt so free in his arms.
She nodded, pushing the doubts aside and taking his hand. One more night with him was worth the price.
“Stay.”
14
The next week flew by as fast as a crashing wave. Letitia spent her days working hard on the fashion website proposal, her evenings enjoying the summer with her friends, and her nights? Well, they were spent tangled up with Chase in bed. She told herself she was living in the moment, and savoring the pleasure; taking only a temporary break from her summer plans of finding her soulmate. But in the back of her mind, the question lingered, whispering in the middle of the night as Chase lay sprawled beside her in the moonlight.
How was this getting her any closer to her forever?
Letitia’s voicemail was full of messages from the guys she’d been meeting, inviting her out for picnics, and clambakes, and mini-golfing adventures. They were great guys – eligible and fun, who ticked all the right boxes for a future together. She should have been out, building a connection with them, not frittering away her summer with a man who thought commitment was a four-letter word. She knew it was dangerous, giving in to temptation like this, but all it took was a smoldering grin from Chase to send her tumbling right back into bed with him.
Tomorrow, she always told herself. Tomorrow she’d get her plan back on track. Tomorrow, she’d remember that this fling could never last. But by Friday, her voicemail was still full, and Letitia still felt zero desire to spend her time with any other man. Luckily, she had plenty else on her mind to distract her from what these pesky feelings might mean. Her big report was due to the Prescott board, and Letitia had been working overtime to prepare.
“Ready to hit the water?” Chase said, stepping through the back door already wearing his wetsuit, unzipped to his navel. Most days, he would come around to drag her away from her computer, and most days, she was happy to let him. But not today.