Under a Georgia Moon: Georgia Moon Romance Book 1 (18 page)

His little sister, Taylin, stood by the stairs leading to the basement. “Hey,” she said as 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 emotions. 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?”

More like satisfying
. “Yes, but I’d watch my back if I were you.”

Chase chuckled as he held open the door for her. “See, you already know Jackson so well.”

* * *

“So,” Jackson said, once he and Chase were outside. “You and Addie looked pretty cozy.”

Chase finished scraping the grill and looked into his friend’s mischievous eyes. “We were. As usual, your timing was impeccable.”

Jackson sniggered and nudged him out of the way. “Sorry, but I couldn’t resist.” He ignited the gas grill and turned to Chase with a grin. “It’s not like y’all can’t pick up where you left off.”

Moving to the patio table, Chase took a seat and let out a deep breath. As much as he hated to admit it, kissing Addie wasn’t the smartest idea. He had a feeling once he did, he’d want to do it again and again. “It’s probably a good thing you came out when you did. I’ve been trying to take things slow.”

Jackson lifted a skeptical brow. “You, women and slow don’t really go together.”

“Hey!” Chase laughed. “I’ve matured in the last couple of years.”

“C’mon, Chase. I know you and you like kissing women. Don’t deny it.”

“Okay, I won’t deny it. But I have changed. I
do not
kiss every girl I go out with.”

“You better move fast, Nichols,” Jackson teased. “Idaho Girl is going home soon.”

Something sharp gripped Chase’s stomach. Addie was leaving soon. The more he thought about it, the more it bugged him. “Don’t remind me.”

A smile tipped Jackson’s mouth. “I think you’re falling in love with her.”

Was he?
Chase ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “If I am, I have a big problem. I doubt she’ll live anywhere else but Idaho. And if I move anywhere, it’ll be to Nashville.”

Jackson closed the lid to the grill for it to preheat. He stuck his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Man, I don’t know what to tell you. Love isn’t something you ever plan on. It just happens. And you two seem really good together.”

“I think it’s a little premature to call this love.”

But what if it was love? His feelings for her were different from anything else he’d ever experienced. Yes, he was incredibly attracted to her, but as stupid as it sounded, he felt like he’d just found his best friend.

“I don’t know,” Jackson said. “I fell in love with Syd the first time I saw her.”

Before Chase could comment, the loud rumble of a diesel engine announced Beau’s arrival. Jackson grinned and pointed a finger at Chase. “Just ask yourself how you’ll feel if Beau starts moving in on Addie.”

He already knew how he felt—and it irked him. Chase stood up. “We better go inside. I need to protect Addie from Beau.”

Jackson started to laugh. “You’ve got it so bad.”

By the time Chase and Jackson made it into the kitchen, Beau was already hitting on Addie.

Letting out a long wolf whistle, Beau slid into the chair next to Addie, eyeing her with intense interest. “Please tell me you’re my date.”

Women found Beau irresistible. Even Chase’s own sisters had commented on his sex appeal. Beau was tall, muscular and shaved his head bald. However, Ashlee said it was the “hot” kind of bald. Whatever that meant.

“Nope,” Chase said as he crossed the kitchen floor. He thumped Beau on the arm and grinned. “She came with me.” He moved behind Addie, placing both his hands on the back of her chair.

Beau looked at him curiously, his lips twisted into a grin, emphasizing the soul patch he wore just below his lower lip. “Ah, man. So what I’m gonna be, the fifth wheel?”

Jackson came in and the two men bumped fists. “I guess you and Kara didn’t kiss and make up?”

“Don’t think that’s gonna happen this time.”

Jackson patted his friend on the back. “I think it’s time to move on”

Beau gave a derisive laugh. “I think you’re right.” He swung his head around and looked at Addie. “By the way, I’m Beau Jacobsen.” He held out his hand.

“Addie Heywood.” She shook his hand.

“Addie?” Beau said.