Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chase looked down at the incredible, still-naked woman next to him. He didn’t think his body could contain this much happiness. He couldn’t stop touching her. Kissing her.
Of all the things that had happened to him lately, this was possibly the most unbelievable.
But he heard voices outside, and doors opening and closing. “We’d better get dressed and make an appearance.” They’d already missed the ceremony, and he did want to give Max and Lana his congratulations.
They got up and started getting dressed.
“So what are the rules now?” Chase asked. “Am I allowed to kiss you in front of Haley?”
“Let’s just do what feels natural. I don’t want to have to hide how I feel about you.”
And there was that spark of euphoria inside him again. To hear her say things like that. Things he’d never thought were possible.
Chase buttoned up his shirt, but he didn’t put on his tie. “Before we go back out there, there’s a few other things I need to say. “
Ruby still didn’t know about his suspension. He didn’t want to keep anything from her. Not anymore.
“The chief suspended me pending an investigation. He’s not happy about what went down in LA at the underground fight.”
The smile vanished from Ruby’s face. “When did that happen?”
“The same day your charges were dismissed.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
Chase sat back down on the window seat. Ruby came over and sat beside him. “I didn’t want you to blame yourself,” he said. “I always knew what I was risking. It was worth it.”
“But how serious is this? Is there anything I can do?”
“I have a union lawyer representing me. Most of the department is on my side. Even Detective Murphy has been speaking up for me.”
But now that he and Ruby were really trying this, trying to be together, he was willing to sacrifice even more to make it work.
“Ruby, you said in the past that losing your dad and brother made you feel like you could never be with a cop. If you need me to, I could quit the force.”
She was quiet for a moment. “Is that what you want?”
Devon had made it clear that Chase had a standing job offer from Bennett Security. Being a bodyguard would be dangerous too, but there were other positions. He could sell security systems to rich people. And the pay would be good. He could provide all the stability that Ruby and Haley needed.
But she’d asked what he wanted. And he owed it to her to be honest. Hiding his true feelings hadn’t been going all that well. “I want to stay with the department. I love what I do, and I feel like it matters. That’s important to me. But I want to be with you more.”
Now that he knew he had a real shot at a future with her, Chase was willing to do anything to make it a reality.
She caressed his cheek. “I’d never ask you to give up what’s important to you. My fears are my issue to overcome, not yours. You deserve to be loved just as you are.”
“Even if I’m not perfect? I’m annoying and reckless sometimes?”
“Your not-perfect parts are the ones I like most.”
They kissed, getting lost in each other until there was a knock on the door.
“Ruby?” a voice said. “Are you in there? Is everything okay?”
“That’s Danica.” Ruby got up from the window seat. “Yes, everything is fine. I’ll be out in a moment.”
“Take your time. Just wanted to check.”
“Is Chase in there with you?” a deeper voice asked.
Chase groaned. So their absence hadn’t gone unnoticed. “Go away, Noah. We’ll be right there.”
There was muffled laughter, which receded down the hall.
“I think our secret’s out.” Chase grabbed his tie and tucked it under his collar.
Ruby went to the vanity mirror to fix her hair. “It’s a faster way to tell everyone, don’t you think? They’ll see us kissing at the reception and figure it out pretty quick.”
“So I can kiss you at the reception?”
“I was planning to kiss you. It would be awkward if you don’t kiss back.”
Chase walked over and slid his arms around her waist. Their eyes met in the mirror.
Damn, they looked good together. “People are going to ask. What should I tell them? That we’re staying married, but not living together, while also dating each other?
” He was really asking for himself. Chase didn’t want to push, but he was still unclear on their status.
“Let’s just say we’re a couple, and we’re figuring the rest out.”
He kissed her temple. “That works for me.”
Ruby spun around in his arms to face him. “You said you’ve been mine this whole time. I want to be yours.”
That was the best thing in the world she could’ve said.
He almost stopped and told her about the one last topic that had been bothering him—the possible holes in the evidence against Conrad Decker.
But Shelby had been right. He’d been overthinking, searching for some reason that Ruby still needed him. She did need him, but not to defend her against invented problems. It was Jane Simon’s job to be Ruby’s lawyer, not his.
Conrad Decker was guilty, and it was up to Detective Murphy and the prosecutors to prove it. Chase wasn’t going to let Decker or Mickey Waverley’s murder take up any more space in his head.
Aurora had outdone herself with the reception.
A white tent covered an open expanse of grass overlooking the ocean.
Fairy lights were strung all over the garden and under the tent, and garlands of flowers hung everywhere.
Chase didn’t know much about decorating or wedding style.
But even he thought the setting was romantic.
He kept hold of Ruby’s hand as they chatted with the other guests.
Every once in a while, he would lean over to kiss her neck, or she’d put her arm around his waist beneath his suit jacket.
Not as many eyebrows raised as Chase might’ve expected.
They were already married, after all. But he noticed Ruby’s lawyer Jane and her mother staring, whispering to one another.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?” The DJ had arrived not long before and hurriedly set up his equipment. “May I present the bride and groom, Lana Marchetti and Max Bennett!”
Everyone cheered and clinked utensils against champagne glasses. Max and Lana walked into the reception, both of them laughing, stopping for Max to tip her backward into a kiss.
An aura of happiness glowed around them. Or maybe it was just the twinkling of candles and fairy lights. But Chase felt their joy like it was in the air.
It was the same thing he felt every time he looked at Ruby and thought, She’s mine.
She’s actually mine.
Ruby squeezed his hand. “I left Aurora hanging earlier. I’d better give her an update before she runs me down and demands one.”
Chase nodded. There was someone he needed to talk to as well.
He crossed the reception area and found Ruby’s mom at the open bar, getting a refill of her champagne glass. “Hi, Megan.”
“Chase.” She opened her arms for a hug. “It’s wonderful to see you. Ruby wasn’t sure you’d be here tonight.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. But I was hoping to talk to you. About Ruby, actually.”
Megan’s smile told him she already suspected what he would say. “Did she finally take my advice?”
“I’m not sure about that. I can only speak for myself.” Chase stuck his hands in his pockets. He’d never done anything like this before. “I’m in love with Ruby. And I’d like your blessing to date her.”
Megan leaned in. “Sweetheart, you’re already married to her. It’s a bit late to ask permission.” But she laughed. “Of course you have my blessing. I was hoping something like this would happen. I always suspected you felt more for her than just friendship.”
“You did?”
“Mothers know these things. And I couldn’t imagine a better son-in-law than you.”
Chase’s heart expanded that much more. “That means everything to me. Thank you.”
“And even though Ruby’s dad and Kellen aren’t here with us, I know they would give their blessing too. They’d heartily approve.”
Chase couldn’t have hoped for more than this.
Megan sipped her champagne. “But I certainly wouldn’t say no to another wedding, this time with a little more fanfare for the two of you. Hint, hint. Don’t tell Ruby I said that. But keep it in mind.”
Chase winked at her. “I’ll see what I can do.” He didn’t want to keep any secrets from Ruby, but he figured he could let this one slide.
He and Ruby were nowhere near ready to renew any vows. But Chase liked the idea. If they were getting married today, he would’ve made different promises to her. His vows would’ve had a lot more words like “love” and “adore” and “forever.”
“And you could invite your family, too,” Megan said.
Chase felt his smile turn brittle. “Not sure they’d want to come. Or that I’d want them there.”
“It’s clear you don’t get along well with them. But the gesture is still meaningful, even if it’s just for you. And you never know.”
“I’ll consider it.”
The rest of dinner passed in a blur of laughter and kissing. Some of it from Max and Lana, but after a while, Chase stopped paying attention to anything but Ruby. He couldn’t even have said what they ate. Ruby mentioned something about the fish, but it went right over his head.
After Haley’s bedtime, Ruby called Mrs. Murtree, who confirmed the baby was sound asleep.
Then they danced to a slow song with their arms around one another, foreheads touching. The way he would’ve wanted to dance with her at their wedding, showing Ruby and everyone else how much he felt for her.
The fairy lights caught in Ruby’s eyes, and Chase had never seen her so beautiful.
Devon appeared and patted them both on the shoulders. “I’m sorry I slightly overreacted earlier.” He held up his fingers and put them an inch apart. “Very slightly overreacted.”
Chase was pretty sure his best friend was drunk.
Ruby frowned at her brother. “It was more than slight. It’s like you were taking lessons from Max.”
“Max was a thousand times worse. Do not compare me to Max. You have no idea how scary he can be.”
She snorted. “Say that a little louder. I don’t think the people at the back heard.” Besides, Max hadn’t seemed all that scary when he’d given Devon a huge hug after the toasts.
“Hey! If I hadn’t gone to Chase, this might not be happening right now.” Devon pointed between the two of them. “So I’m forgiven, right?”
“Yeah, man,” Chase said, trying to keep a straight face. “We’re good.”
“Except we were having a romantic moment,” Ruby added. “And you’re interrupting.”
“I was just leaving.” Devon backed up, bumping into another couple. “I’m supposed to be getting Aurora some cake.”
Ruby and Chase laughed as he walked away. “He’d better not be driving home,” Chase said.
“We took an Uber here.”
Aurora came over, holding out Ruby’s phone. She’d left it on their table. “Hey, your phone just rang. Have you seen Devon?”
“He’s getting cake.” Ruby accepted her device.
Aurora wandered off in search of her boyfriend, while Chase watched Ruby check her voicemail. As she listened, her smile disappeared.
Immediately, Chase’s stomach burned with anxiety. Something was wrong. “What’s going on?”
“That was Mrs. Murtree. She said something about a noise? It didn’t make much sense. But I heard Haley screaming in the background.” Ruby clutched her phone in her fist. “Haley’s been having a lot of trouble sleeping the past few days.”
“Since I moved out?”
Ruby nodded sheepishly. “I thought maybe she was picking up on my bad mood. I should get home.”
“Then I’ll take you.” Chase wanted to see Haley and comfort her. He wanted to hold onto both his girls and not let go.