“You’re going to have to be a little more specific in your questioning, Oh Wise One.”
“Whatever. Cut the bullshit, Boyer. I knew you two were going to hook back up again.”
After a moment’s pause, Chase responded sternly, “Yeah, well…if you came here looking for all the sordid details, you’ve come to the wrong place.”
It was one thing to let his friend in on the fact that he and Scottie were back together. Revealing intimate details of the personal, private moments they’d shared in the sanctity of her bed, however…
Yeah, that’s not fucking happening.
“So something definitely happened.” Lucky smirked. “Otherwise, there wouldn’tbeany details for you to have to worry about.”
Damn. He’d walked his ass right into that one.
Knowing his friend was like a dog with a bone, Chase relented and gave him the basics. “Fine. Scottie and I are…together.”
The other man’s goofy smile spread wide. “That’s awesome, Chase. Really. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. I’m…happy, too.”
“You should be. But…” Lucky’s dark brows gave a slight dip. “I’m sensing some hesitation. What’s up with that? You not into her as much as you thought you’d still be?”
“What?” His expression turned incredulous. “No, dickhead. It’s nothing like that.”
“Then what is it?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just…” Chase sighed, falling back into his chair. “I’m all in, you know? I mean, I knew Scottie was the one the very first time we kissed. But then her mom got sick, and everything changed. She moved away, and…you already know about all that.” He gave a quick shake of his head. “Anyway, here we are, and I’m as all-in as ever.”
“But she’s not,” Lucky presumed.
“I don’t know what she is, to be honest.”
“You haven’t told her how you feel?”
“Not yet.”
It was Lucky’s turn to shoot him anare you an idiotlook. “Why the hell not?”
“Because things between us are still so new. I don’t want to push her too far too fast and end up?—”
“Too fast?” Lucky’s boisterous laugh echoed off his office walls. “Dude, it’s been fourteen years. And that’s not even counting however long you two dated when you were kids. Trust me…” He sat up straight before sliding himself to the edge of his chair and resting his elbows on the top of Chase’s desk. “If things between you two have already fallen right back into place, that woman isn’t sitting around hoping you take your slow, sweet time.”
Chase stared at his friend from over the top of his computer screen. Waiting a beat, he let his lips curl into a grin. “Guess you really are the brains of this place.”
“I’ve been sayin’.” His teammate pushed himself off the desk and stretched his arms out to his sides. “About time someone recognizes they’re in the presence of brilliance.”
“All right, all right.” Chase snorted as he rose to his feet. “Let’s not get carried away.”
The other man stood, the two friends meeting near the corner of the desk.
Returning to his previously serious tone, Chase offered Lucky his hand. “Thanks, man. I think you’re right.”
“Usually am.” Lucky took his hand and gave it a good, firm shake. “But seriously. Just talk to her. If she’s not in the same place yet, at least you’ll know. And if she is, the two of you can quit wasting time and start going after that life you had planned before everything turned to shit.”
He released his grip, and the two men walked across the carpeted floor to his office door. “I gotta say…” Chase stopped just shy of stepping out into the hall. “I never thought I’d be taking love life advice from the likes of you.”
“No offense taken, asshole.” Lucky shot him a teasing frown. But then, “Just kiddin’. To be honest, I never thought I’d be the one giving it. In all seriousness, though…” The former SEAL’s gaze intensified. “My life is a million times better with Ellie in it. And I know for a fact that Arch and Hayes would say the same about their women.”
“I don’t doubt that.”