by Piper Rayne
As usual, my subconscious sneers at me because my gut’s compass clearly let me down where Chase was concerned.
I make my way to the end of the bar opposite Aaron and order a glass of wine. Needing some air, I take my glass of white and step out onto the front of the boat. Couples still line the edge, and I find a secret spot on the side, away from them.
I sneak a few peeks at the loving couples, a pang of melancholy settling in. I miss having someone in my life. Miss the comfortableness of a long-term relationship like I had with Chase. The way his hand would easily wrap around my back and mold to my side. The easy conversation between us, which now that I think about it mostly revolved around business. The way we knew when the other wanted a kiss.
I would have liked more excitement, sure. Chase never romanced me in any way, but I always chalked it up to the fact that we met right when I was starting college and then we became busy with our careers. I figured one day we’d find the time for candlelight dinners and yacht cruises along the bay.
I’m busy reminiscing about a man I shouldn’t waste any more headspace on when I spot someone who looks just like Chase.
I blink. My mind must be playing tricks on me.
Then the guy’s head turns to look in the opposite direction, and I’m reassured I’m not a Brittany Spears head-shaving away from the loony bin. Chase is here with his arm around the waist of a brunette who’s curled into his chest.
My throat constricts and my mouth goes dry as I watch her rise on her tiptoes and kiss his stubbled jaw. My hand drops to my side, and the glass of white wine hangs from my fingertips while I fixate on the girl who’s where I used to be.
“Hey, Tahlia.” Aaron comes out of the bar area, blocking my view of the loving couple. It’s the only good thing he’s done for me since he began hovering the day we met.
“Hey, Aaron.” I swallow down my emotions, plastering the smile on my face like my mother taught me. Her words about ‘never showing weakness’ ring in my head.
“You’ll never believe the client I landed this week…”
Aaron’s voice fades as Chase’s hand slides down the woman’s arm until her petite hand takes his. I’m not sure how long I’m able to keep up the facade of listening to Aaron, but when I snap my attention back to him, he’s no longer bragging about his business accomplishments…he’s holding my wine glass. I glance down to my shaking hands and clench them into fists.
My eyes reach his, and there’s concern there.
“Excuse me,” I whisper, turning on my heel to escape this place.
“Tahlia!” he screams out, and I shake my head and wave him off. Hopefully, he gets the hint that I need privacy.
No bet is worth this, so I tuck my clutch under my arm and weave through the throngs of happy couples with the grace of Miss Débutante. I’m five steps from the ramp when a group sandwich me in their greeting. I duck and dodge, but by the time I escape that hell, the boat moves away from land.
No, I scream internally.
More and more space separates me from escape. I look at the edge of the boat and then back to the dock. Maybe I can just jump it? Or fall into the water and swim to safety? I was on the swim team at thirteen.
There’s no way I’ll survive three hours of watching Chase and his new whatever-she-is. I wonder what happened to Quinn? Or maybe the girl with him tonight is his side piece, not unlike what he had going when we were together. Maybe this woman was with him the entire time I was.
Nausea in my stomach demands my attention as my thoughts run away from me. I clutch my stomach, cover my mouth and run inside the bar area for the restroom.
Sweat beads at my forehead as I turn and lock the door to the small space. It only makes me claustrophobic. I pull my hair into my fist as I lose the contents of my stomach.
I’ll stay in here for the whole trip, I think as I flush the toilet and move in front of the mirror to freshen up. No one will miss me.
A loud knock sounds on the door.
I pat my face with a towel, staring at myself in the mirror.
“Tahlia,” Lucas calls and my heart rate picks up. Am I really going to let this man see me in a state of distress again?
“Hold on,” I say, straightening out my shoulders and inhaling a deep breath.
I rinse my mouth with mouthwash and thank God that I thought to put the one-shot travel use in my purse. It pays sometimes to be as prepared as I am. I stick a mint in my mouth and smack on my everything-is-dandy smile and open the door.
If Aaron’s eyes were concerned, Lucas’s are fierce and protective. He looks me up and down, and this time my body doesn’t heat up because he’s double-checking to make sure I’m not bleeding or hurt. There’s no predatory or lust-filled eyes as he takes in the state of my body. Nope, he’s in protector mode.
“Are you okay?” he asks, touching my forearm. “You’re clammy.” He rubs his hand up and down my arm. And then he raises his hand and places it on my forehead. “Are you seasick?”
I stand in front of him, not answering one question because I’m not about to embarrass myself by telling him why I’ve now thrown up in his presence twice.
“No. I’m fine.” I wave off his concern and push past him to make a beeline toward the bar. I barely sipped that white wine, and I now need it more than ever.
The line is ten deep, and though I know there’s probably another bar on the upper level, I glance around. Since I don’t spot Chase, I decide to sit tight where it’s safe.
Lucas meets me in line. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m good.” I hold my clutch in both hands in front of me as I look everywhere but at him.
“All right. Well, if you don’t mind, I’ll just keep you company.” He stuffs his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels.
“Suit yourself,” I answer and shrug.
A few of the other adventure daters walk by, nodding their heads or saying hello as they mingle with one another. Lucas is polite, he greets everyone by their first name and shakes every guy’s hand.
By the time I’m three people away from the bar, the girl with Chase walks in the sliding doors to my right and I get an up-close look at her.
I shake my head because I should have known. Quinn.
I’m surprised I didn’t recognize her before, but I only saw the back of her head, and she’s changed her hair since the last time I saw her.
“I take it there’s more than just people from Single in SF here tonight?” I ask as my gaze follows Quinn.
She walks through the crowd with poise and confidence. Her dress is conservative but sexy all in one. She’s been a thorn in my side and my biggest competitor for a decade, and here she is with the guy I was supposed to marry.
“The company can’t fill the boat on their own, so the rest of the tickets sell to the public.” He watches me watch her for a moment then asks, “Do you know her?”
I nod.
“Enemy, I suppose?” He chuckles, but he has no idea.
“Why do you say that?” I turn to him, and his nearness makes my heart skip a beat.
“You look like a cougar stalking the prey that’s been taunting her cubs.” If only he knew.
“No, just a girl I had the displeasure of attending school with. Our moms have a friendly rivalry over which one of us is smarter, prettier, and just better.”
My eyes fixate on her as she slides between bodies on her way to the bathroom. The eyes of the men she passes automatically shift her way and my self-confidence wanes.
“Cat fights?” Lucas jokes.
I look over at his easy smile, and for a moment I want him to kiss me. Push Chase out of my head. My eyes dip to his lips and an invisible bubble wraps around us as we each stare at one another.
“Q.” Chase’s voice pops my bubble and my body shivers.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, stepping out of line. I have to get out of here before Chase sees me. I back up to go try to find some nook and cranny to hide in on this godforsaken boat
, but I run into someone. The person spins me around, so I’m facing them. Somehow I must have misjudged where Chase’s voice came from because here he is. Smack dab in front of me. I stiffen, and I’m pretty sure all color drains from my face.
“Tahl?” he questions, as though it’s inconceivable that I could be out having fun and not still holed up in my condo watching reruns of Gilmore Girls.
“Chase,” I say, trying to scratch the itch on my neck. My entire body feels like it just erupted into hives.
“What are you doing here?” he asks, glancing over my shoulder. To Quinn, I presume.
“Um.” I’ve never been good at lying, but I better figure out something to say. I refuse to let Chase know that I’m here to try to find a date. I could grab Aaron and beg him to be my co-worker. The whole group of them could be my co-workers, but why would a company take their employees on some romantic dinner and dancing cruise?
“There you are.” Lucas’ hand molds to my hip as he hands me a glass of white wine.
I look over at him, and his smile doesn’t falter. He shifts his eyes to Chase and holds out his hand.
“I’m Lucas. Tahlia’s boyfriend.”
10
Chase studies me, and since he knows every telltale sign I have that shows when I’m uncomfortable, I snuggle into Lucas’s hard chest and try to imagine how happy I would be if what we’re pretending was real. The corners of my lips can’t deny how blissful that would feel.
Lucas’s hand never wavers, holding steady out between the two. Chase eventually accepts the handshake, eyes narrowed on Lucas, judging and appraising.
“Nice to meet you. I guess word that Tahlia’s dating hasn’t reached me yet.” Chase tugs at the collar of his shirt, and I know he’s flustered. Satisfaction has me smiling even more.
“I’m surprised Cole never said anything,” Lucas says. “He’s the one who introduced us.” He withdraws his hand and brings his drink to his lips.
Chase glances at me and then back to Lucas then raises a brow. “Yeah? How do you know my brother?”
I look over my shoulder, wondering when Quinn will appear so that we can get off the topic. She always did reapply her make-up hourly.
“Through his whiskey company.” Lucas’ lie flies out of his mouth as easy as vomit does for me.
Chase nods and rolls his eyes. Brotherly competition at its best. “Oh, yes, my brother and his hobby.”
I want to interject about how Cole is a better man than he is. About how Chase is riding his dad’s coattails, he’s his lackey, but Cole stood up and did what he wanted to do with his life.
“From what I hear, it’s far from a hobby,” Lucas comments, his fingers drumming along my hip. Again, Lucas takes a sip of his drink and raises it in the air. “It’s good stuff. You should try it.” He nods toward the bar, signaling that they serve it here.
I glance behind Chase and see that Aaron spots us. He’s standing at the front of the yacht and his eyes zero in on Lucas’s hand. His simmering eyes drill into mine, and I’m mentally begging him not to come over here. His eyes shift to Lucas again, and his feet start moving.
I feel my smile falter a little with each step Aaron takes.
“We’ve all been going on a lot of double dates.” Lucas continues the charade, unknowing of the annoying pest who’s about to blow everything.
“Lucas.” Aaron stops, his hands on his hips, waiting for Lucas to give him his attention.
Chase’s eyebrows scrunch as he looks at Aaron, probably wondering who he is.
“Aaron, can you give us a second?” Lucas’s tone dictates no sign of distress while I continue to scratch my neck from the itch of hives descending on me.
“No,” Aaron says. “I’ve stood around long enough. Get your hand off of her,” Aaron demands and Lucas does remove his hand.
Where’s a damn fly swatter when you need one?
“Excuse us,” Lucas says, not waiting for Chase and me to answer.
Lucas bypasses Aaron and walks over to the edge of the boat. I can tell whatever Lucas is saying, he isn’t that happy. Aaron pokes his finger into Lucas’s chest, and Lucas grabs his finger, pushing his arm back.
“Your new boyfriend seems to have a temper.” Chase’s pompous voice reminds me I’m in his presence.
“A temper is better than an amateur gigolo.” I square my eyes at him, but he huffs. As though he wasn’t serving himself up like a soup kitchen.
“How have you been?” he asks with what sounds like genuine concern.
Like I’m going to tell him that I watched every one of my favorite movies at least ten times over the past six months and refused to socialize unless Lennon and Whit kidnapped me.
“Good.” I glare at him, changing my stance.
“I’m glad. Tahl, I am sorry.”
I could do two things here. Rail at him for dating Quinn or show indifference.
“Don’t worry, Chase. Our breakup was for the best.” I purposely let my eyes drift toward Lucas, who is now poking Aaron in the chest.
“I miss you,” Chase whispers and my head whips around to find him a step closer to me.
“No, you don’t.” I tuck my clutch under my arm, ready to flee away from his area. That swim in the bay doesn’t sound so bad right now.
“I do.” He reaches out, and I turn my body, shrugging off his affection.
He huffs again, shoving his hand into the pockets of his slacks. “I was so stupid, Tahl. I should never have done the things I did. We were so young when we met, and I got cold feet.”
I can stand here and be the polite and well-mannered Tahlia I’ve been trained to be, or I can finally stand up to Chase.
My heels click forward, just as someone from the crew announces dinner. Good. Over the noise of everyone rustling to make it to their seats, no one will overhear me.
“Still a liar, I see. You’re forgetting something…when people get caught cheating, once everything is out in the open, people start talking. I had friends call me up to say how you hit on them. Other acquaintances told me how you slept with them and they wish they stepped up and said something. So you can take your sorry excuse for a dick and go fool someone else, because I’m done.”
Chase’s Adam’s apple bobs up and down.
“Tahlia Santora?” Quinn’s sickly sweet voice breaks the silence.
I step back, and she winds her arm through Chase’s. “Quinn. How nice to see you. And with Chase. Wish I could say I’m surprised.”
Quinn purses her lips. She can’t deny that she’s sloppy seconds to me. Especially after Chase’s revelation to me a second ago.
“Who are you here with?” she asks.
Chase points to Lucas, and I glance over, crossing my fingers he’s not in an altercation with Aaron again. To my surprise, Lucas is sauntering back over to us, his eyes brimming with excitement. He is one fine specimen, and even Quinn can’t argue that.
“Him?” Quinn says, and for a moment I fear they know each other, but I quickly remember Lucas saw her already and didn’t recognize her. “Where’s his jacket?” she asks, grasping for any minor infraction she can pounce on.
Before I can answer, Lucas’s arm slides around my back as though it’s the most regular occurrence for us.
“Sorry about that, baby,” he says, his lips meeting my temple. My entire body flames with heat.
“I hope everything’s all right?” Somehow, I keep my voice steady.
“Everything’s great.” He directs his attention to Chase. “We’re here with an adventure dating group.”
Did he really just divulge that? I’m seconds away from hopping overboard, I swear.
“Tahlia, you’re resorting to dating sites to find a man now?” Quinn laughs, covering her mouth as though she’s trying to hide her amusement, but her smug grin is front and center.
Chase joins in her laughter.
“Not us. I’m helping a friend out tonight and I asked my number one to join me.” He pulls me closer to his hard body, and ag
ain his lips kiss my temple. “Besides, why would Tahlia ever need a club to find a date?” Lucas leans in closer to the center of our tiny group as if he’s about to share a secret. “It’s a full-time gig chasing guys away from her when we’re out. I’m half-tempted to chain her to my bed. I’m sure Chase can relate.” He winks and that flame from earlier just ignited into an inferno with the image of me chained to his bed.
Quinn makes some squeaky noise as though she’s offended and Chase’s eyes zero in on me.
“I did always find her chatting with some guy when we’d meet for drinks or dinner.” A small crease forms on his forehead.
“Well,” Quinn interrupts and straightens her back. “We should go to dinner.” She nudges Chase forward.
“Pleasure as always,” I say, waving goodbye.
“I’m sure we’ll catch you after the meal,” Chase says.
“We’ll probably bolt as soon as the boat docks. You know Tahl, she can’t ever get her fill, but I’m up for the challenge.” Lucas’ fingertips dig into my hip, and though my first instinct is to protest I manage to keep my mouth shut. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for my ex-fiancé to think I’m having earth-shattering sex on the regular.
Chase looks at me, no expression on his face because he’s probably thinking to himself how I was more likely to be changing into my pajamas and tucking myself into bed after a night out while we were engaged.
“Nice to see you, Tahl,” Chase says, as Quinn pulls him along.
Eventually, they both disappear inside, and I let out a relieved breath. Lucas swings in front of me, his hands still on my hips as he backs me to the edge of the boat.
“What are you doing?” I ask. His eyes burn with so much fire and desire that my nipples peak under the fabric of my dress.
