The thick August air quickly engulfed them. Chase wasn't sure if she'd grown overheated from the swelli

fled as the patio doors swung shut. She rested her arms along t

nt to be a lawyer?

N

you want t

't rem

u don't remember what you wan

on't remember. I didn't dream much.

tcher for t

nd what happene

suc

r eyes landing on a striking, middle-aged woman. Well-dressed in a white, sleeveless,

League to keep the coach from throw

e. "Thanks for makin

e embrace. "Nonsense. Even on your

is Chase

r outstretched hand. "I'm Colby

ce to me

do you two kn

e building

e laughed again, her voice tinged with pride. "Well, I'm glad

oors. "He's inside. He'

birthday. Chase," Colby paused as she turned to leave, "you should come to

n make it," she ans

. "Well, we'd love to have yo

Chase turned on Grey. "Why didn't you

This isn't a date,

don't like sur

a family affair. Surely you thoug

l thought. Is there anyone else co

d. "Hardly.

ck herself. "I'm s

his mouth. "You've never sai

asingly. "It was a moment of we

both patio doors. "We're about to bring out the cake. And you

ed Chase's paper hat and put it on, his fingers brus

ouldn't remember the last time sh

e, softening his angled jaw. "Lik

he tender exchange.

grabbed a microphone from the stand behind her. A waitress came by with a tray of glasses and they all

helping to celebrate Graham's birthday. Each of you is special to us and we're so glad you're here." Her dark eyes fell on Graham as sh

nt pitch black. Impulsively, Chase's hand flew to Grey's arm, her nails digging into his f

right

and saw a massive cake being wheeled down the narrow aisle on a cart by two Fusion employees. The four-t

k a deep breath, blew out all the candles, and the lights surged back

thanks for coming to celebrate with me. And to Chelsea, thank you, baby, for putting this all

ple began to dance again. The wait staff jumped into action distributing dess

with Graham, Chelsea and Colby, Grey cut

te t

chocolate cake practically melted in her mouth. The cake slid down her throat followed by the sw

t if you lick your lips like that again, I'll have no

t she could lose herself in their smoky depths. She hated to admit it, but she alre

his life. They both shared that trait. He wouldn't understand what she needed from him. He would go after what he wanted --

ut?" he asked, tempting he

g how much longer I'm going to try an

suggest you stop trying altogether and let wh

her bo

out that," he

e deafening music, it managed to make her core twinge. "Your mother is sitting two fee

ed against the cushion

n o'clock and performed all their hits for a solid hour and a half. The band was followed by an hour of drunk karaoke, another delicious cake rolled out, and a snack

ould come. I ho

epily. "It was g

e going on, but I watched the way he looked at you tonight. Our fam

ded it. "You don't have to worry about

row, chuckling. "With

as they exited the club. In its place

rey asked as they headed towa

was okay. The champ

a good time and you k

nose. "I've been

say it. I know you had fun; it

as a lot of fun. I wish th

l voice said f

an. Despite the dark circles under her wide brown ey

hed softly. "What a

face stiffened. Her gaze raked over Chase and

s?" Reese

doing here?"

see you. It

Chase. "I have t

ou ser

ared at Chase's side in seconds. "See that Mi

ntly on Chase's elbow but

This isn't what it looks like. Pleas

rowled icily, her eye

in had been right all along. She knew she should have nothing to do with him. The woman outside t

to stew over a man. She took a cleansing breath. She'd almost let herself get caught up in the Devlin windstorm but she'd escaped j