Under a Georgia Moon: Georgia Moon Romance Book 1 (17 page)

“I wouldn’t want Daddy to fire you if he found out you’ve been looking for a job with one of his biggest competitors.”

Swallowing back his anger, Chase tried to keep calm. Hayden was like a shark and if she smelled blood it would only increase the frenzy.

“What do you want, Hayden?” He crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned against the truck. “Another date?” he asked cynically.

Her eyes remained cool and detached, the smile still there. “Maybe.” She turned and casually sauntered toward her car. Opening her door, she glanced over her shoulder. “Enjoy your night.”

Before he called her an offensive—although fitting—name, he jerked open his door and climbed in behind the wheel.

The cab of the truck was stuffy, and he felt like he couldn’t breathe. He quickly started the engine, and cracked the windows, turning the air on high. The radio blasted his CD demo and he turned it off, needing a second to think.

In the side view mirror, he spotted Hayden’s car approaching him on the driver’s side. She expected him to look at her, so he kept facing forward as she slowly passed by. Only when she exited the parking lot and merged into traffic did his grip on the steering wheel loosen.

What had he ever seen in her? It was hard to believe that at one time he’d been so blinded with love, or what he thought was love, that he’d actually wanted to marry her. He’d even bought the ring.

He adjusted the air vent to blow on him more directly and pulled his tie off. Divine intervention had saved him from making that mistake. He’d come home early from a business trip, and decided to make a surprise visit to her apartment in Macon. When she hadn’t answered the door, he’d used the key she’d given him and walked in, catching her in a compromising position with another guy.

This time she couldn’t lie or talk her way out of the situation, although she tried, even blaming Chase for being gone.

Shortly after their breakup—which Hayden claimed she had instigated—she left for California. The hold she once held over him was shattered, and Chase felt free.

 Now she was back, trying to mess with his life again. The question was why? What could possibly be her motive, other than to cause trouble?

Feeling frustrated and stupid for getting tangled up in Hayden’s web of lies in the first place, he shifted the truck into gear and started for home. Before he exited the parking lot, his phone buzzed an incoming call. He smiled when he saw who the caller was. Jackson could always make him laugh. “Hey,” he said, easing onto the street. “What’s up?”

“We’re planning tonight’s entertainment and Syd wondered if strip poker would scare your new girlfriend off?”

Chase grinned when he heard Sydney scold her husband. “I never said anything about stripping.”

“Sure you did, babe. Just a few minutes—”

Chase heard a scuffle and a lot of laughter. Then Jackson came back on the phone. “Sorry, my mistake. Syd was talking about stripping
after
everyone goes home.”

Sydney protested loudly again, but Chase could hear the amusement in her voice. Jackson liked to tease, and usually his teasing went a little too far. He hoped Addie would be able to handle it.

“Maybe I’ll just take Addie out to eat,” Chase said. “You’re notorious for scaring women off, especially on first dates.” He pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home.

“I’ll be good,” Jackson said. “I promise.”

“I’ll make sure he behaves, Chase,” Sydney hollered loud enough for him to hear. “If not, he’s sleeping in the guest room tonight.”

“That’s just cold,” Jackson said.

“No teasing Chase’s date. I mean it, Jackson.” Sydney’s voice sounded firm. Whether or not Jackson heeded his wife’s warning remained to be seen.

“Dude, listen to your wife. For once.”

“What? I’m not that bad.”

“Yes you are.” Chase snorted. “Do you honestly think Sydney would’ve gone out with you again if I hadn’t talked her into it?”

Jackson chuckled softly. “Yeah, I guess I do owe you for that one.”

Sydney’s family had moved into the area a few years earlier, and the first time Jackson saw her he’d fallen in love. Sydney, however, wouldn’t give him the time of day. She’d just come out of a bad breakup and wasn’t interested in dating. It took nearly three months for her to finally agree to go out with Jackson.

Their first date had been at Chase’s house. A few couples had gathered in his basement to eat pizza and watch a movie. Jackson sat close to Sydney, holding her hand. When the lights turned off for the movie to start, he yelled out, “Hey, don’t touch me there.”

Everyone laughed and, knowing Jackson, didn’t take him seriously. A few minutes after the movie started, Sydney excused herself to use the restroom. She never came back.

Jackson begged and apologized for a solid two weeks without making any progress. Chase had finally been able to talk with Sydney, asking her to give Jackson one more chance. They were married eight months later.

“By the way, Beau might come over. He and Kara are fighting again so you might have a little competition.”

“I hate when they’re fighting,” Chase grumbled as he made a left turn. Beau compensated by flirting with any girl he was near. “Maybe I’ll bring Ashlee over. He’ll be so busy dodging her he won’t have time for anything else.”

“Now that could be funny. See ya soon, buddy.”

Chase ended the call, feeling a lot less stressed. Rolling back his shoulders, he focused on the email his agent sent him right before leaving work. A smaller, but successful record label liked Chase’s demo CD and planned on coming to their gig at Gracie’s this Saturday. It might not be what he wanted, but it would be a step in the right direction.

Excited about the prospect, Chase turned on his CD and sang along as he made his way through a line of traffic backed up by road construction. When he finally made it through, one glance at the clock told him if he stopped by his house to change clothes, he’d be late picking up Addie. He hated being late, especially if someone was waiting on him. Since the Caldwell’s property turnoff was before his house, he decided to swing by there first.

A few minutes later he pulled up to Janie’s house. He popped a piece of gum in his mouth and climbed out of the truck. He crossed the yard and made it to the porch in record time. If someone was watching him they’d know how eager he was to see Addie again. Not wanting to come off desperate, he waited a few seconds before ringing the doorbell.

Addie opened the door so quickly it made him wonder if she’d been watching for him. “Hi there.” She smiled, carving the dimple in her cheek. “You’re just in time to help me carry our dessert.”

“We’re bringing dessert?” he said, entering the house and following close behind her to the kitchen.

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.