“Chase Boyer.”
Recognition shone behind the twenty-something’s eyes. “Mr. Boyer, of course!” She stepped out from behind the podium. “Follow me.”
An unexpected rush of jealousy seeped in, throwing Scottie off to the point she nearly stumbled over her own feet. It was obvious this girl knew Chase by the way she’d instantly perked up from just hearing his name.
Question was, did she know him because he was a frequent patron of the restaurant, or…or was it something more?
No, the question is…why do you even care?
Her inner voice was right. The man was free and clear to date—or do whatever with—whomever he chose. Of course, he was. It was ridiculous to think otherwise.
Regardless, there was still a part of her that hated the idea of some pretty young thing eyeing Chase. And worse, she understood why.
Even now, after all these years, she was still totally and completely hung up on the guy. Always had been.
Always will be.
“Right this way.”
Scottie followed the other woman around an arched wall and into another section of the restaurant. With each step she took, the more convinced she became that this was a bad idea.
A really,reallybad idea.
From the moment she’d first read Chase’s texted invitation to dinner, Scottie had told herself a night out with an old friend would be fine. Fun, even.
Old friend. Old flame. Same difference, right?
But now…
The knot of dread growing in her gut said otherwise. But just as Scottie was about to chicken out and make a run for it, she spotted him.
Sitting alone at a table in the back corner of the room, Chase looked straight at her—straightthroughher—and his lips instantly curved at the corners. Her pulse raced, and just like that, all the second-guessing about coming tonight vanished with one glimpse of the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on.
“Hey!” He stood to greet her.
Still a true gentleman, I see.
A tall, muscular, too-tempting-for-his-own-good gentleman.
Seriously, couldn’t he have lost all his hair and gained eighty pounds of beer gut by now? Sure would make this evening a whole lot easier.
Unfortunately for her, Chase hadn’t lost his thick, luscious hair. And any weight he’d gained since high school was pure muscle. A fact that was obvious despite the man’s dark jeans, cowboy boots, and button-up shirt.
He quickly moved around the table just in time to pull out her chair.
“Thank you.” Scottie rewarded him with a smile.
Did my voice just quiver? I’m pretty sure it quivered.
“You’re welcome.”
The light, woodsy scent of his cologne caught her attention as he returned to his seat. Like the man himself, it was intoxicating. So much so that Scottie didn’t even realize several seconds had passed with her just sitting there, staring back at him like an idiot.
Not until a large, leather-bound menu was placed on the table in front of her, that is.
“Would you like a glass of wine to start?” The woman who’d seated them asked.
“Yes, please!” Scottie’s answer was a tad too energetic.Okay, seriously…you need to chill the heck out.Drawing in what she hoped was an indiscernible deep breath, Scottie mentally gathered herself and tried again. “I mean, I’ll take a glass of Moscato. If you have it.”