She glanced back at him, her hair swaying across her shoulders. “Yeah, I texted Sydney and asked if I could bring anything. Lucky for us, when Aunt Janie made her delicious coconut cake for her quilting circle, she made an extra one.”
“That is lucky,” Chase said, spotting the coconut laden cake on the countertop. “Are you sure we have to share?”
Addie flashed him a smile. “You have no idea how torturous it’s been to not taste it.”
“I’m impressed with your self-control.”
Chase remembered the telltale signs of her taste testing this morning when he’d wiped away the sugar from her lower lip. Checking for any signs of coconut, his gaze dropped to her mouth. He quickly forgot about trying to find any incriminating evidence, his thoughts going in an entirely different direction. His eyes flickered back up to meet hers, and electricity crackled between them.
After a few heated seconds, she gave him a shy smile. “Okay, I confess I did snitch a tiny bit of frosting, but I just covered it up with more coconut.”
He laughed and scooted the cake toward him. “Maybe I should let you drive while I guard the cake.”
“I don’t think so. I saw the way you were looking at that cake.”
Well, at least she hadn’t mentioned the way he’d been looking at her. He’d had to use every ounce of willpower he possessed not to let his gaze linger on the teal colored tee that hugged every generous curve she’d been blessed with.
“I can’t help it. It’s one of my favorite things and my mother won’t ever make it because she thinks the frosting is too rich.” He carefully lifted the cake platter. “If you ever want to do something really nice for me then make me a coconut cake.”
She wrinkled her cute nose and grabbed her purse, leading him out of the kitchen. “I’ve tried to make one before and it looked even worse than the apple pie.”
“That pie was good.”
“Good food is all about the presentation. If you really want me to bake you something then cookies are my specialty.”
“What kind?” he asked as he balanced the cake with one hand and opened the door.
“Whatever your favorite is.” She breezed past him and he caught a tantalizing scent that smelled as good as one of his mama’s magnolia trees.
He closed the door behind him and followed her to his truck. “I love any kind of chocolate chip. Regular, oatmeal or pumpkin.”
“Well, my friend,” she said, standing by the passenger door. “I promise before I go home I’ll make you chocolate chip cookies. Which kind will just have to be a surprise.”
“Promise?” He kept his tone light, although his insides twisted at the thought of her going home.
“Absolutely.”
With a grin, he leaned forward and opened the truck door. “I look forward to being surprised.” While balancing the cake with the other, he held out his hand and helped her up into the truck. Once she was situated, he handed her the cake. “You sure you can handle this?”
“I’ll do my best.”
He chuckled and closed the door.
* * *
Addie watched as Chase rounded the front of the truck. While she could handle not snitching from the cake again, she wasn’t so sure about her growing feelings for her pretend boyfriend. They’d definitely had a moment in the kitchen that had generated as much heat as a beachside bonfire.
It wasn’t her fault, though. The guy was totally irresistible. He looked so good in the fitted button-down shirt. She glanced down at her own clothing, wondering if she should’ve dressed up a little.
“I just realized you’re wearing a dress shirt and slacks,” she said, once he slid in behind the wheel. “I think I’m underdressed.”
His gaze skimmed over her before returning to her face. “I think you look great. And I was going to swing by my house to change clothes and grab my guitar.”
“Your guitar, huh? So are you going to sing for me?” Ever since hearing him in church, she’d been dying to hear his voice again.
He gave her a lopsided grin and started the truck. “Well, I sorta hoped you’d sing with me.”
Her eyes widened. “I don’t sing. I mean, I can sing, but not in front of people.”
Chase chuckled. “Just kidding. Jackson wanted me to bring my guitar. We usually like to mess around whenever we can.”
“Whew. That’s good.” She placed a hand over her racing heart. “For a minute there I thought I was going to suddenly develop a massive headache—you know the kind that would require you to take me home.”
Chase looked at her sidelong. “You wouldn’t fake a headache, would you?”
“Um, yes.”
The edge of his mouth twitched as he turned the truck around and started for his house. “Okay, so no singing in public. No riding horses. You like sugar and baking cookies but dislike exercising. Anything else I should know?”
“Yellow is my favorite color and I don’t just like sugar, I love it.”
He laughed. “Got it.” He made a right turn and shot her a quick look. “By the way, how was your day today?”
Addie thought about the mysterious letter she’d found pressed between the old photographs. Aunt Janie had been so excited to share the news with her quilting circle this evening. She was convinced the rumors about buried treasure were true. “So great. You won’t believe what I found today.”
“What did you find?”
Addie told him how she’d found the letter, and summarized what it said. He laughed when she told him her aunt’s obsession with finding the lost treasure. “Knowing Miss Janie, she’ll probably find it.”
“Wouldn’t that be awesome.”
“Very.” Chase pulled into his driveway. “So, did you get a chance to go exploring on the bike?”
Addie shook her head. “That’s on tomorrow’s agenda. I want to get an early start before it gets too hot.”
“Yeah, it might reach seventy five. Scorching.”
“Shut up. It’s still in the forties at home.”
“I’m just teasing. Heck, if it drops into the fifties I’m complaining about how cold it is.”
“In Idaho, if it hits the fifties, girls are laying out, getting an early start on their tans. It doesn’t matter if there’s still snow on the ground.”
One side of his mouth curved up. “Snow and bikini’s. Sounds fun.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re such a guy.”
Grinning, he killed the engine and climbed out of the truck. Addie slid the cake platter onto the seat, waiting for him to open the door. She kind of liked his genteel manners, and knew she’d miss it when she went home.
“You know,” Addie said, as he helped her out of the truck, “when I go back to Idaho, I’m probably going to sit in my car waiting for someone to open the door for me.”
He looked at her with something she couldn’t describe. Maybe a combination of frustration and longing? Slowly, one corner of his mouth drew up. “Then don’t go back.”
Addie sucked in a startled breath and tried to read Chase’s face. He was teasing, right? He winked. Of course he was teasing.
“Or,” she said, patting him on the chest, “I could just take you home with me.” Through her flattened palm, she felt the rapid beating of his heart.
“I just might take you up on that offer.”
Oh boy, the way he said it, with that slow, southern drawl, sent a shiver through her. Her heart raced and the whole idea sounded completely sane—staying in Georgia or taking him home. It scared her a little. She dropped her hand and tried to be nonchalant. “Well, either way…you’ve totally spoiled me. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he took her hand and led her inside his house. A tantalizing aroma circulated in the air as he closed the door behind them. Still holding her hand, he guided her through the entry way, passing by the kitchen.
His little sister, Taylin, stood by the stairs leading to the basement. “Hey,” she said a
s her eyes lowered briefly to their joined hands. “What’re y’all doing tonight?”
“Going to Syd and Jackson’s house for dinner,” Chase said. He squeezed Addie’s hand before releasing it. “I’ll be right back.”
He jogged down the stairs, leaving Addie alone with Taylin. His little sister leaned against the wall, watching Addie intently. “You look great. I love your hair straight.” Then she pointed down and grinned. “Love the shoes.”
Addie stuck out one of her teal cut-out pumps in front of her. “Thanks. Shoes are sort of a weakness I have. I believe I own almost every color possible.”
Taylin grinned and pushed away from the wall. “I knew I liked you.” She looked back over her shoulder as she headed for the kitchen. “Do you want anything to drink?”
“Sure,” Addie said, following behind her. “Ice-water sounds great.”
While Taylin got her a drink, Addie took a seat at the bar. “Are you doing anything fun tonight?”
“Are you kidding?” Taylin rolled her eyes. “I have a stupid paper to write for English, a history test to study for, and, on top of that, I volunteer once a week at the Christian Youth Center and the activity I’d planned for the girls I mentor fell through.”
She slid the glass of water toward Addie and took a seat next to her, acting like they were old friends. Without Chase or her twin sister around, Taylin didn’t seem as snide. “The lady that was going to come and teach the girls about using the right kind of make-up, canceled on us today.” She heaved a deep sigh. “I have no idea what I’m gonna do now.”
Before she knew what she was doing, Addie volunteered herself. “I could help if you can’t find anyone else.”
Taylin’s eyes lit with hope. “Seriously?”
Addie tried to downplay her skills as a makeup artist. “I mean, I’m not a professional or anything, but I took a class so I can offer glamour shots when I open my own photography studio.”
“You do glamour shots? Because, that would totally be cool!”
Technically, no, but she’d experimented with her sister and some of the teenage girls in her neighborhood. “How many girls are there going to be?” Addie wasn’t sure there would be enough time to do make-up and take pictures too.
Taylin’s eyebrows knit together as she concentrated on doing the mental math. Chase came up the stairs, carrying a guitar case. Addie stared and felt her pulse leap. He looked good, wearing a pair of distressed jeans and a simple T-shirt that emphasized well-developed biceps.
“Ready?” His lips curved as he met her gaze.
“Hang on, Chase,” Taylin said. She put her hand on Addie’s arm. “If everyone comes, we have a total of six girls. Think it’ll be too many?”
Addie shook her head. “No, if you’re willing to help, I’d love to do it. Will the girls be able to bring their own make-up? If that’s a problem, I can pick up a few new things to use.”
Taylin grinned. “Most of them won’t have anything, but Ashlee has a ton of make-up she’s never opened.”
Chase moved to the bar, resting his guitar case on top. “What did my sister just rope you in to doing?”
Taylin stood up and moved around to stand next to her brother. “I didn’t rope her in to anything.” She bumped him with her hip. “Your girlfriend just saved me.” She stepped back toward the staircase. “Thanks again, Addie. You’re awesome.”
“No problem.”
“Chase can give me your number and I’ll text you all the info.”
“Sounds good.” With a wave, Taylin disappeared down the stairs. Addie pushed her chair out from the bar and stood up next to Chase. “Ready?”
“Yeah.” Amusement lit his soft green eyes. “So, what did my sister just talk my girlfriend in to doing?”
“I’m going to help Taylin at the youth center by taking glamour shots of the girls she mentors.”
“She’s right. My girlfriend is awesome.”
“Ha ha.” Addie picked up her ice-water and took it over to the sink. She was starting to feel guilty about all the people they were deceiving about their relationship. Worse, the lines of reality were starting to blur for her as well. After dumping the water out, she placed the glass on the counter and turned around to find Chase watching her. “We both know I’m not really your girlfriend.”
“I don’t know. You’re a girl and you’re my friend.” He lifted his guitar case with one hand and came around the bar to stand next to her. “Sounds like a girlfriend to me.”
Addie couldn’t help smiling. “You’re so clever.”
Chase grinned. “I know.” He took her hand and led her outside. She liked the feel of his hand. She liked the clandestine smiles he sent her way, and she liked the idea of being Chase’s girlfriend. Probably a little too much.
Chapter Thirteen
Addie stared at the McCall’s house in disbelief. The two-story Colonial brick home was massive with a four-car garage flanking one side and an enclosed glass solarium on the other. Either the newlyweds were loaded or they lived with their parents.
“Wow. Nice house,” she said with awe.
Chase snorted. “It was a wedding gift from Sydney’s grandmother.”
“Wow. Nice grandma.”
“Tell me about it.”
Addie took in the incredible landscaping and wished she would’ve brought her camera. She glanced over at Chase. “And just the two of them live here?”
“For now.” He leaned forward and rested his chin atop his knuckles on the steering wheel. “I know Jackson is planning on filling it with children. He came from a large family of boys, a small home and hardly any money. But his parents are the most wonderful, down-to-earth people you’ll ever meet.”
“Judging from the size of the house, I’d say Jackson and Sydney could have a dozen kids and still have room to spare.”
He sat back and looked at her with a smile. “Syd has one brother. I think her idea of a large family would be three or four kids.” He shrugged as he opened his door. “I guess they’ll figure it out as they go.”
Addie stared back at the house as Chase came around to help her out. Having only one sister herself, she agreed that three or four kids would be a large family. She wondered how many kids Chase wanted. Then she wondered why she even cared. They were just friends. But as he opened the door and held out his hand, his words echoed in her head. “I don’t know. That sounds like a girlfriend to me.”
Their eyes met as she placed her palm against his. Warmth started at the contact spot and spread up her arm. She took in a fortifying breath and stepped out of the truck, eager to break the connection. Touching him made her imagination run wild.
Before she knew what was happening, her heel caught on something and pitched her forward. She squealed and threw her arms out, grasping onto Chase. He stumbled back, but kept her firmly in his arms.
“Sorry.” She dragged her eyes up to meet his amused expression.
“I don’t mind.” His mouth quirked as he rubbed a hand across her shoulders. “I kinda like having you in my arms.”
Yeah, she liked it too. She shouldn’t, but his solid embrace and the heady scent of his cologne made it nearly impossible to think straight. His hands moved to her waist, as if the magnetic force drawing them closer wasn’t enough. Addie wasn’t sure how much longer she could fight the powerful pull he seemed to have on her.
“Okay, you two,” Jackson said, coming out of nowhere. He placed one arm around each of them. “No PDA in my front yard.”
Chase groaned, looking a little annoyed. “Right.”
Jackson just grinned, keeping his arms around them as if in a group hug. “Well, at least that’s what my mother-in-law is always tellin’ me.”
“Like you ever listen to her,” Chase mumbled.
Jackson laughed and moved out of their way. “Yeah. You’re right.”
Chase shot his friend an annoyed look as Addie turned around and retrieved the cake from the truck. She closed her eyes and tried to get a hold of her em
otions. Kissing Chase was not part of the plan. She couldn’t get any more involved with him—any deeper than she already was. Her return flight to Idaho was a like a ticking clock and before she knew it her time would be up, and so would their ruse. If she wasn’t careful, she’d be returning to Idaho with more than a broken heart. It would be shattered.
She twisted back around just as Sydney came outside. “Hey,” Sydney said, slipping her arm around her husband’s waist. “I didn’t know y’all were here.”
Jackson turned and circled his arms around his wife, his hands clasped behind her. “I was just coming out to see if they needed help with anything.”
Chase snorted. “Yep. You know Jackson. Always tryin’ to be helpful.”
Sydney’s brows drew together at the sarcastic tone in Chase’s voice. “Jacks—”
Her words were cut off when Jackson leaned down and kissed his wife. Thoroughly.
“Hey,” Chase said indignantly, “I thought you said no PDA in your front yard.” He glanced over at Addie with a can-you-believe-this-guy look on his face.
Jackson pulled away from his wife, a wicked gleam in his laughing eyes. “Yeah, but like you said, I rarely listen.”
Sydney let out a deep sigh. “Do I even wanna know what y’all are talkin’ about?”
No! Addie wanted to shout. Couldn’t they talk about something else? When Sydney looked her way, Addie shook her head, pleading with her eyes to drop the whole thing.
She could’ve hugged her when Sydney held up her hands. “You know what, I don’t even wanna know.”
Chase gave Addie that smile of his, making her heart do a little flip-flop. He took her hand and led her toward the front door. “You’re right, Syd, you don’t wanna know.” Then he said with a laugh, “But maybe you can ask your husband about advice he should be taking from his mother-in-law instead of quoting her.”
Addie stifled a giggle when Sydney asked, “What does my mother have to do with this, Jackson?”
While Jackson sputtered, Addie squeezed Chase’s hand. “Your quick thinking just got Jackson in trouble.”
“I know,” Chase said with a grin. “Doesn’t it feel good?”
Under a Georgia Moon: Georgia Moon Romance Book 1 Page 14
