Mister Romance

by Amelia Simone

  Later that night, I was getting ready for bed when my phone buzzed with a text from Chase.

  Chase: The dishes are looking at me dirty again. Want to come over and help me with mine?

  Tamra: You’re on your own this time. They don’t do themselves.

  Chase: Now you tell me. I’ve been doing it wrong this entire time. Thanks for setting me straight.

  Tamra: There are some things you do right ...

  Chase: Groan. Don’t tell me. I give good hugs?

  Tamra: LOL. Something like that.

  Chase: No, wait. Something about my pasta attachment? You’re going to give me a complex. Speaking of which, sorry for making it weird tonight. To be clear, I was sorry for almost flooding your kitchen. Everything else was perfect. Better than I imagined.

  I bit my lip. My instincts would be the death of me, but I couldn’t resist teasing him.

  Tamra: If only the kitchen were the only thing that got wet.

  Chase: ...

  Chase:

  Chase: ...

  Too direct. I’d scared him away. The bubbles of his return text kept appearing and disappearing.

  Chase: If doing the dishes was a warmup, I can’t wait to dance together at the wedding. This time, without a saucepan chaperone between us. I’ve already seen evidence of your incredible moves ...

  I laughed at his last words, ignoring the pinpricks of heat his promise left behind.

  Chapter 20 - Tamra

  Bad dreams plagued me in the days leading up to Nick’s wedding. You’d think I was the one getting married, based on how anxious I was about a family party. The new dress hanging in my closet mocked me with conflicting desires. The thought of spending more time with Chase made my pulse race, but I wished we were going to be alone instead of on display for all of my relatives. Fantasizing about dancing with him was the one bright spot. The possibility of finding a safe haven in Chase’s arms was the one thing keeping me from calling the whole night off.

  Gina and Vicki offered to come play fairy godmother to help me get ready the day of the wedding. I was sorely tempted but didn’t want to take advantage of their generous natures. Instead, I got ready as God intended—with YouTube hair and makeup tutorials. I snapped a few selfies as I finished with my beauty routine and sent them to Gina and Vicki. Mostly to prove I could dress myself, but also for a much-needed confidence boost.

  Tamra: Ladies? What’s the verdict? Did I do good? Or YouTube fail?

  Gina: Superb. Like you know what you’re doing. You look HOT. And I should know. LOL

  Vicki: Now, now. She’s already your work wife. Don’t make me jealous, Gina.

  Tamra: Thanks for the support, I love you both. XOXO

  Gina: Don’t get mushy on me. You know I don’t like that. Go out there and knock ‘em slightly comatose. I don’t condone murder.

  Tamra: Har, har. Who said nurses don’t have a sense of humor?

  Vicki: Everyone. Everyone says that. Why must you also prove it’s true?

  Tamra: Oooh. I have one I’ve been saving for you. Why did the nurse bring a red marker to work?

  Vicki: Please. Don’t tell me.

  Tamra: In case she had to draw blood!

  Vicki: *eye rolling emoji* You kill me.

  I glanced at the time and gritted my teeth. Chase was supposed to pick me up five minutes ago. My family would never forgive me if we were late for the ceremony. Chase and I had finally exchanged phone numbers, so I sent him a text to make sure he was on his way.

  Tamra: Almost here? I’d hate to be late. We’d be banished to the kids table for sure.

  Chase: Sorry. Five minutes out. Got wrapped up in a scene.

  I tried not to pace while I waited, but I couldn't help it. It wasn’t a big deal that he was late. We wouldn’t miss the ceremony over a five-minute delay. In fact, it could work in my favor if it gave family less time to interrogate me.

  I was peering outside as Chase drove up, so I quickly locked my door and made my way out to him. I tried not to totter like a newborn calf and give myself away as unpracticed in my new shoes. Wobbling in heels wasn’t particularly sexy.

  Slow. Slow it down. My dance lessons rushed through me. I cut my pace in half and noted how much easier it was to keep my stride smooth.

  I made it down the sidewalk to Chase’s car as he was getting out. He’d seen me in scrubs and jeans, but he’d never seen the glammed-up version. And I had to admit, for me, I was glorious. Shiny dark curls, plus my makeup and outfit all completed the picture of a confident vixen. Rawr. His gaze swung over my body as if he heard my silent roar and couldn’t help appreciating the predator in his midst. My shoulders straightened, thrusting my chest out on autopilot. I ignored the tightening in my nipples when Chase’s gaze focused on my curves and let the smile of satisfaction tip up my lips.

  “You look like warm tropical waters and an oceanside breeze,” Chase said.

  “Like a vacation you want to take?”

  His eyes heated. “Exactly.”

  His words evoked hammocks, warm skin, and piña coladas. Heaven. I shook myself. Unfortunately, we were headed for stilted conversations, perfumed relatives, and overcooked chicken. My appearance was one hundred percent false advertising.

  It was my turn to let my chin drop when I caught an eyeful of Chase in his tuxedo. The dark slacks hugged his body to perfection. He’d chosen an aqua shirt underneath, and it made his eyes look more blue-green than blue. He was beautiful. Rawr, indeed. Goosebumps flared along my arms, and I held back a shiver. I’d be spending the next few hours orbiting the wedding with Chase. Close enough to touch, but not really mine. A wave of possessiveness washed through me, but I pushed those feelings down. I needed to remind myself that Chase had agreed to come as a friend, not my boyfriend.

  He held the door as I got in his tiny car, trying not to flash him in the process. I had a moment of regret for the shortness of the skirt, but it was hard not to swell with pride when his eyes traveled to my thighs and stuck there. I couldn’t resist teasing him.

  “My name is Pussy Galore,” I said in my throatiest voice. It probably sounded more flu-ridden than sexy, but Chase didn’t miss a beat.

  “I must be dreaming,” he responded, his eyes still on my thighs. He stood frozen, looking his fill.

  “Chase?”

  Chase shook himself at the sound of his name and made sure I was tucked in before shutting the door.

  “You make a great James Bond.” I couldn’t resist complimenting him as he got settled in the driver’s seat. He was A-plus arm candy. I wouldn’t have to worry about pitying glances from my female relatives today.

  His smile creased his cheeks, but he didn’t look at me. “Thanks. If I can carry off a tenth of his sophistication, I’ll consider today a victory.”

  I hadn’t considered that he might be nervous too. “If you want to indulge in a few martinis, I’m more than happy to drive home if you don’t mind me driving your car. Hooking you up with booze to take the edge off a strange wedding is the least I can do.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand before glancing my way. “I’d better not. It’s going to take all my attention not to sink your battleship with unplanned rubbish. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but my mouth tends to get carried away ... I need all my wits about me to manage this afternoon.”

  I sank into my seat at his words. I was so used to needing to control my tongue, I hadn’t realized he was struggling too. It was easy to overlook his gaffes when I made my own so often.

  “Have you met me? You’ll fit in perfectly.”

  He didn’t look reassured. “I can’t let down my guard. You have no idea what might slip out. For that matter, neither do I.”

  I reached out a hand to clasp his where it lay between us. His skin was warm, and my fingers tingled at the contact. He stared through the windshield, focused on the road.

  “You’re doing me a major favor just coming today. It will be fine. You can claim blue aliens fly out
of your butt on alternate Sundays and I won’t care. I’m thankful to have a partner instead of doing this alone.”

  He grunted, but his shoulders relaxed slightly.

  I grinned. “Well, not to be that date, but if you’re not going to drink, can I?”

  He smiled at my honesty. “Sure, knock yourself out. No, wait. I don’t want your family thinking I’m a creep if I have to carry you to the car. I’m reserving the right to cut you off before you get too nuts.”

  I nodded. “Deal.”

  We pulled up to the ceremony venue as the lot was quickly filling up. I recognized more than a few cars. The family had turned up en masse to celebrate Nick’s big day. The sun was peeking out from behind the clouds. It cast the park pavilion in soft light that warmed the brick and high ceilings. We made our way to the reception table with Chase’s hand on my elbow. After one wobble, he caught on to my amateur heel status.

  My sister, Jennifer, was greeting new arrivals and asking everyone to sign Nick and Mindy’s guest book. She spotted Chase first, and her gaze stuck. His black suit coat clung to his shoulders and nipped in at the waist, advertising his build to perfection. She gave him her most charming smile. “Hi, I’m Jennifer, the groom’s sister. I don’t think we’ve met. Are you a friend of Nick’s?” she asked.

  Typical Jennifer. I wondered what Jennifer’s husband would say about her laser-focus on Chase to the exclusion of all else, namely me, standing right beside him. Then again, I couldn’t blame her. Given the choice between us, I’d be staring at him too. Still, I hadn’t expected her to ignore me altogether. Like we were strangers, not sisters.

  “I’m actually here with Tamra,” he said, nodding to me. Jennifer’s wide eyes were priceless. She really hadn’t noticed me by his side. I swallowed past the hurt and pushed my shoulders back.

  “Oh. Hi, Tamra. Didn’t see you there.”

  If she was embarrassed, she hid it well.

  We exchanged stilted pleasantries about her husband and kids, then turned to find our seats.

  “Are things okay with you and your sister?” Chase asked. “She’s giving off strong dark moment, marriage-in-trouble vibes.”

  I shrugged, like the motion would let the weight of her indifference slide off. “We’re not close, but she can usually recognize me in a crowd.” I frowned and glanced back at her greeting other guests. She looked a little tired maybe, but makeup hid most of the evidence. Was there something going on with Jennifer underneath the veneer of wedding gloss? I hadn’t spotted her husband yet in the crowd, but they weren’t normally joined at the hip. He was probably off chatting with family, waiting for the ceremony to start.

  The venue had set up chairs outside in the grass for the ceremony and tables inside for the reception afterward. My parents were already up front, and I approached them with Chase in tow. “Mom, Dad, this is my friend Chase.” I made it a point to speak first, to make sure they didn’t open with something embarrassing. I came by my social awkwardness naturally, as I was reminded every time we were in the same room.

  My mom peered at us over her glasses. They had a funky bead chain that gave her a librarian vibe that totally worked for her. She rocked a bun of silver hair and a blue dress that accentuated her figure. “Dear, you didn’t tell us you were dating someone. How did you meet?” she asked.

  “I stalked him on social media” popped out before I could think better of it or tone down the dating angle of her comment.

  “Honey, you haven’t turned into one of those internet catfish we keep hearing about, have you?” my dad asked.

  He cut a sharp figure in his tux, his mane of silver hair brushed back from his face and down to his collar. I could tell their time in the RV didn’t leave much time for haircuts, but the length looked good on him.

  Both of my parents examined me. Technically if there was any catfishing going on, that honor belonged to Chase. But they didn’t need to know that fact before they’d even shaken his hand. I moved aside to let Chase reach out to my father for a quick shake, watching as my dad appraised him. He couldn’t find anything objectionable in his appearance and turned back to me. “Well?”

  “Dad. I’m not catfishing anyone. Chase knew who I was when we met. He’s an author, and I admired his work online.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I’ve enjoyed getting to know your daughter.”

  My mom wasn’t about to let that one drop. “How long have you been dating, exactly? We haven’t heard about you at all.”

  I hung my head, then lifted my chin, ready to interject with a fairer description of my relationship with Chase, but he beat me to it.

  Putting his arm around me, Chase smiled at my mother and lied through his beautiful, white teeth. “We’ve been dating for about six months.”

  It was too cool out for the bead of sweat that rolled down my spine at his words. Rookie mistake. Too much detail. He revealed a definitive time period to my mother. She jumped all over that, turning to me.

  “Oh, really, dear? I thought you told me about that dating disaster with the teacher you met only about five months ago. Has it been longer than that, or are you not exclusive?”

  Direct hit. And here I thought she didn’t pay attention. Bombs were dropping all around our ship, and I did my best not to cringe. She’d see any claims of an open relationship as me not willing to commit and any insistence that Davis and I had fizzled first as me quitting. Either way, I lost. I was reluctant to deny Chase’s claim, but my mom’s timeline made it awkward. And public. It was a war of the socially inept, and I was ... not winning.

  “Mom, I think I told you about that right before I met Chase. He’s probably rounding up because it feels like we’ve known each other forever.”

  I leaned into Chase and gave him a reassuring smile, silently urging him not to drop any more lies I’d have to dance around. We escaped the conversation to find our seats, and I sighed as we sat down. There was no time to ask Chase why he’d claimed we’d been dating for six months because the ceremony was starting.

  Nick, handsome in his tux, took his place at the altar. He’d come so far from the little boy who followed me around wanting to play Star Wars. His short, curly dark hair was styled close to his head, and the white shirt beneath his suit set off his tan. He glowed. We made eye contact, and his soft smile had me grinning. My baby brother was getting married.

  Mindy was radiant when it was her turn to come down the aisle with her parents. Her blond curls were arranged in an updo, woven with pink roses. She walked slowly but confidently to meet Nick, and they clasped hands.

  I was keenly aware of Chase’s big body in the seat beside mine during the ceremony. His knee so close to mine, sending tingles racing along every nerve. He caught my gaze and grinned, grabbing my hand in his. Our fingers tangled, and my stomach tied itself in equivalent knots. Friends. Lies to the contrary, we were friends. Chase might appear interested now, but he was probably one busty blond away from forgetting me altogether. I needed to be ready to let him go. Still, having him sit beside me bolstered my confidence.

  I focused on Nick and Mindy’s vows. The clear devotion and laughter in their faces clutched at my heart. Even Chase’s eyes got misty during the pledges they’d written themselves.

  I was thrilled to hug and congratulate the newly married couple when they came down the aisle.

  “You did good, little brother,” I whispered.

  “Thanks, sis,” he whispered back as he squeezed me tight. Worth it. It was worth wrangling backup in the form of Chase and facing my relatives to see Nick this happy.

  Things didn’t get hairy with the rest of my family until the reception. Nick and Mindy hadn’t assigned seating, so we were able to grab spots with my younger sister and parents instead of with other extended family.

  “Where are the kids tonight?” I asked Vanessa.

  “Are you kidding me? I know Nick is their favorite uncle, but you couldn’t pay me to bring two kids under six to a wedding. We got James’ pare
nts to watch them for us so we could have a date night.”

  I couldn’t see what was happening under the table, but judging from James’ abrupt start, Vanessa was really enjoying time away from the kids.

  I shifted my attention to my parents, who were chatting quietly. Had they had time to disseminate their knowledge of me “dating” Chase to others before the ceremony even started? Once Vanessa heard, I was expecting a full interrogation. She’d know it was utter bullshit. I dodged her meaningful glances when conversation turned to what I’d been up to lately and kept my responses vague.

  After dinner, we mingled with other family, and I didn’t escape fast enough when Uncle Ted approached us with my Aunt Kelly. My uncle was medium height with a rotund build and a ruddy complexion offset by graying hair. My aunt had the comfortable padding of later middle age and wore a dress with a wild floral pattern. The pair looked cute, harmless, at least until they opened their mouths.

  “There you are, dear,” my aunt exclaimed when they caught up to us.

  Chase put an arm around my shoulders, correctly reading my stiff body language as a plea for support. I smiled weakly. “Hi, Aunt Kelly. How are you?”

  “Oh, you know. The usual. Your uncle and I have just completed our annual trip to Maui, which was fabulous. Retired life agrees with us.” She smiled and opened her mouth to continue, but Ted broke in, clearly tired of hearing his wife talk about their trip, for what I assumed was the umpteenth time.

  “What about you, Tamra? Are you still dinking around with nursing? When are you going to become a real doctor?” His false joviality made my back stiffen. Sidling up to me with a smile and a stiletto was his style. Good old Uncle Ted. Flying his asshole flag proudly. I didn’t know why he thought he could criticize my career choice. He’d retired from pharmaceutical sales, but some of his golfing buddies were retired doctors. He’d been sipping on their superiority.

  Chase squeezed my shoulder but kept silent. In the name of keeping the peace, I figured “fuck off” wasn’t going to cut it as a response, so I took a deep breath instead. “I love my career, and I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.”