Chapter Seven
T wo weeks later, Lauren sat in the passenger seat of Chase’s black Audi Coupe as they drove toward Fairview to attend her sister’s wedding. Between the smooth, luxurious ride, and their casual and easy conversation as they shared superficial getting-to-know-you information about each other during the drive, the time and miles passed quickly.
Even though she and Chase had occasionally corresponded by text and talked a few times on the phone in the evenings to discuss details for the upcoming weekend, this was the first time they’d been in close proximity since the night at his place, when he’d insisted that there wouldn’t be a repeat of what had happened on his kitchen counter.
Lauren meant what she’d said when she’d told Chase “We’ll see”. She had a few tricks up her sleeve that she hoped he wouldn’t be able to resist.
With any further discussion about Chase’s past clearly off the table, she’d still managed to discover interesting things about him during those chats, like him admitting that he was a history buff who was fascinated by the past Civil and World Wars and the Vietnam conflict, and other periods in history. She was secretly happy to learn that tidbit, since her gramps served in the Vietnam War and the two men would have something to bond over.
She’d also learned that she and Chase had a lot more in common than she ever would have imagined. They both loved to watch psychological thrillers and crime shows and true-life documentaries, along with listening to classic rock music, and they also enjoyed attending cultural events in the city.
He’d told her that he’d taken Billie to the Museum Mile Festival a few months back, and while he didn’t love Broadway shows because he got too antsy sitting in those small, crowded seats, he’d sucked up his discomfort because he knew how much his sister adored the whole theater experience. It was something Billie had never done until Chase had taken her to see Wicked , and now, according to him, she was obsessed with New York’s theatrical performances.
After sharing the endearing story with Lauren, he’d laughed and told her that his sister’s fixation with Broadway made gift giving for Billie very easy.
Lauren still didn’t know the whole backstory between Chase and Billie, but she’d gotten the impression that he was a dedicated big brother and that he enjoyed spoiling his half-sister with all the things she’d missed out on because of her time spent in foster care. It was just another side to Chase that revealed how kind and selfless he truly was when it came to someone he cared about.
About ten miles outside of Fairview, Lauren realized there was one important thing they hadn’t yet discussed, and would undoubtedly come up at some point.
“We need to agree on a story about how we met, because I know someone is going to ask,” she said, glancing over to the driver’s side and taking in Chase’s gorgeous profile. Actually, she was shocked that her mother hadn’t already posed the question, but Lauren wanted to be prepared and make sure their stories matched. “It needs to be something ordinary, because typically I’d never be orbiting in your world.”
He cast a glance her way, and though he was wearing sunglasses, she could see the downward cast of his brows. “Why do you say that?”
“Let’s just say that I doubt your life, and my life, would have intersected under normal circumstances,” she said, trying to be polite about what she was inferring.
“I don’t know,” he said, absently tapping his thumb against the steering wheel. “You work at the Meridian with wealthy clients.”
She shook her head and gave a small laugh. “Not quite the same, because at the end of the workday I’m a simple girl who lives in Briarwood, just outside of Queens, and you have an apartment in the Flatiron District in Manhattan. I drive an older, used Ford Taurus and you own an Audi. After paying rent, groceries, bills, etcetera, I barely have enough money left over at the end of the month to pad my savings account while I’m sure the word ‘budget’ isn’t even a part of your vocabulary.”
He was quiet for a moment before speaking. “What you see with me is honestly more of an expectation because of my position as a partner at the investment firm. It puts clients at ease knowing I’m entrenched in their world, but I wasn’t always this wealthy,” he said, confirming what she’d already suspected as he kept his focus on the two-lane road leading into her small town. “I grew up in Bay Ridge in Brooklyn. I had to pay my own way through college and racked up more debt than a young twenty-something kid should have to worry about. I ate my fair share of ramen while living in a shithole of an apartment with three other guys when I was looking for work after graduating. And just for the record, I like that you don’t run in what is perceived as my social circles.”
She stared at him in surprise, not sure what to make of that. “Why?” she asked, needing more clarification.
He glanced in her direction, and even though his eyes were shielded, she could feel the sudden intensity of his gaze. “I like that you’re down-to-earth and unpretentious and real … because it makes it easy for me to just be myself around you.”
Holy shit. The statement was so profound, so revealing of who Chase really was, that she didn’t know what to say in response.
He returned his attention to the road in front of them. “So, how about we go with something simple as far as how we met, like we were introduced by a mutual friend or acquaintance, which is partially true.”
She had no idea who he was referring to. “Like whom?”
He grinned at her, and that relaxed and easy gesture made butterflies swirl in her stomach. “We both have Billie in common, and considering she really is the reason why we’re in this together, let’s go with that.”
It made sense. She knew Billie because of the connection to Future Fast Track, and Billie was Chase’s sibling. She could have easily introduced the two of them at some point. “Okay, that works.”
The navigation system in Chase’s car directed him to make a right at the next light, indicating that they were only minutes away from her parents’ house. She’d promised her mother that she’d go to their place first so they could meet Chase and they’d stay for dinner, before they headed to their room at the bed-and-breakfast in town.
Chase cleared his throat, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel. “By the way, are your sister and Greg going to be at your parents’ tonight for dinner, too?”
“No,” she said, absently smoothing a hand down the skirt of the casual dress she’d worn. “My mom said that Ashley and her bridesmaids are at the wedding venue, doing some last-minute decorating for the ceremony and reception tomorrow evening.” Honestly, even if that was just an excuse, Lauren was grateful and relieved, because she selfishly wanted tonight to be stress-free with Chase. Or as much as it could be, considering she knew her family would undoubtedly grill him with questions. “You’ll meet them at the wedding tomorrow night.”
They drove down a tree-lined street, and then they finally arrived at the house she’d grown up in, with a light blue exterior and a wraparound porch complete with a swing. Pansies, violas, and asters bloomed around the structure and a brick-inlaid walkway led up to the front steps.
As much as Lauren loved living in the city, she couldn’t deny the nostalgia she experienced whenever she visited home.
Just as Chase parked the car at the curb and turned off the engine, her mother came out of the house, wearing the floral-patterned apron that Lauren had bought her for Christmas since she’d probably been preparing dinner. Her mom was followed by Lauren’s dad, then Gramps, and she knew the welcome committee wasn’t for her, but for the “new man in her life” they all were eager to meet.
“Looks like it’s showtime,” she said, glancing at Chase with a grin. “Are you ready?”
He took off his sunglasses and tucked them into the middle console, his own smile more reserved. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.”
***
Chase secretly loved watching the enthusiastic way Lauren greeted her parents. How she ran up the walkway with abandon, hair flying out behind her and squealing in excitement as she embraced them all in a hug, while he made his way to the house at a more leisurely pace, to give her family time to welcome Lauren back home. The trio looked just as happy to see her, too, and it was hard not to envy their close-knit relationship.
As soon as he stepped up onto the porch to join them, Lauren grabbed his hand and pulled him forward, making him the center of attention as all eyes turned to him. He wasn’t in the habit of formally meeting a woman’s parents and he had to resist the urge to shift awkwardly on his feet, which was an anomaly for him. As a businessman in the corporate world, he was always confident and self-assured, but there was something about making a good impression on Lauren’s family that had him feeling surprisingly anxious.
“Chase, meet my mom, Penny, my dad, Dale, and my gramps, Lee,” she said in way of introduction. “Everyone, this is Chase Gossard.”
He noticed Lauren didn’t put a label on their relationship which, he was grateful for, but the way her mother’s eyes lit up right before she pulled him into a quick, warm embrace told Chase that Penny had already put him into the boyfriend category. Or maybe even something more serious.
Penny didn’t hug him long, and when she stepped back she was beaming with delight. “Welcome to our home, Chase. We’re so happy to finally meet you,” she said, putting him completely at ease.
“Likewise,” he said, thinking Penny appeared to be a more mature version of Lauren and what she’d look like when she was in her early fifties. A natural, fresh-faced beauty, with chin-length dark brown hair and sparkling brown eyes.
Chase turned to Lauren’s father next, extending his hand toward the other man. Dale was stout, with broad shoulders, a solid build, and a firm handshake that conveyed mutual respect. During a conversation with Lauren, she’d mentioned that her father worked for a construction company as an electrician.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Connelly,” Chase said, inclining his head.
The other man scoffed. “Please. No need to be formal around here. Call me Dale.”
Chase glanced at the oldest man in the group, with wisps of white hair on his head, a neatly trimmed and equally white beard, and the same brown eyes that ran in the family. Except his gaze was more critical than Penny’s and Dale’s, as if he was trying to sum up Chase and decide if he was good enough for his granddaughter.
Smiling, Chase shook Lee’s hand, his grip strong enough to convince Chase that there was nothing frail about this man who’d just suffered the equivalent of a stroke. “It’s a pleasure, sir,” Chase said amicably. “Lauren has told me so much about you.”
Hearing that his granddaughter had mentioned him softened the older man’s features. Gramps puffed his chest out, his upper body straining against the top portion of his faded, jean overalls. “All good things, I’m sure,” he said, then followed that up with a feisty wink. “I am her favorite, after all.”
Lauren laughed as she casually looped her arm through Chase’s, making them look very much like a couple. “Yes, you are, Gramps.”
“She mentioned you recently had a health scare,” Chase said. “I hope everything is well?”
“Bah!” Lee waved a hand in the air dismissively and scowled at the reminder. “As you can see, I’m as hale and hearty as can be.”
Penny rolled her eyes at Lee’s dramatics then motioned toward the front door. “Come on in, you two. Dinner is almost ready.”
Everyone walked inside the house and into the small, but cozy living room.
“Can I get you something to drink, Chase?” Penny asked.
He shook his head. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”
“Okay, then,” she said with a nod, then glanced at her daughter. “Lauren, would you mind helping me get everything on the table while the boys chat?”
“Sure, Mom.”
Lauren glanced up at Chase, meeting his gaze, her own eyes silently asking if he was okay on his own so soon after meeting everyone. He gave her a subtle, reassuring nod and smiled, then she followed her mother into the kitchen. Chase took a seat on the couch, while the other men sat in the two recliners in the room.
Lee didn’t waste any time interrogating him, his steely eyes slightly narrowed. “So, Scouty tells us you’re a fancy-pants finance man.”
Chase had to suppress a grin. He wasn’t sure what amused him more. The adorable nickname Lauren’s gramps had for her or the humorous job description the older man had come up with for his occupation.
“Yes, I’m a managing partner at my investment firm,” he said, downplaying his title.
As proud as he was of being a partner, he didn’t want to come across as a pretentious “fancy pants”, as Lee had put it. These were simple people who clearly lived a modest life, and Chase wasn’t above them in any way whatsoever. He also realized that he really wanted to make a good impression because shockingly, he wanted Lauren’s family to like him.
“What do you do there besides play with other people’s money?” Gramps asked, testing Chase once again while Dale looked on with an expression of both pity and amusement.
Chase relaxed against the sofa cushion, realizing that Lauren must have gotten her moxie from her gramps. “I do manage investment portfolios and play with other people’s money, so to speak, by selling and buying securities that are a good fit for my clients,” he said with a self-depreciating grin. “But I also spend a lot of time conducting research on financial markets and economic trends so I can offer my clients the best strategies for their money.”
Lee asked a few more questions, and each time Chase came back with a relatable response that seemed to gain Lee’s admiration and approval. When Chase felt that shift to acceptance between them, he decided to change the subject to something he knew would win the older man over for sure.
“Lauren mentioned that you served in the Vietnam War,” he said, then gave the other man a nod. “Thank you for your service, sir,” he added respectfully, which earned him a smile from the older man. “I’m a bit of a history buff and would love to hear about your experience.”
Lee’s eyes sparked with pride, and he stood up. “Come here,” he said, motioning for Chase to follow him as he walked toward a glass display case in the living room. “I want to show you a few things.”
Chase joined him, genuinely in awe of the real memorabilia in the cabinet—precious, irreplaceable awards and achievements that Lee had earned during his time in the service.
Lee pointed out all the military medals and described each one, including a Purple Heart, a Vietnam Service Medal, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a very rare Vietnamese Gallantry Cross. Chase was well aware of just how much emotional attachment and deep meaning these medals had to the recipient, and the dignity in Lee’s voice as he spoke was unmistakable. These accolades represented hard work, tough decisions, bravery, and fearlessness during a time when the controversial war had divided the country.
While they discussed his various accolades, Lee also recounted his time in Vietnam, without going into many dark details, focusing most on the sense of brotherhood he felt with his fellow soldiers. His stories immersed Chase deep into the history that he, personally, loved so much, and he appreciated that he and Lee could share that small connection.
“Hey, you two,” Lauren said from behind them, bringing Lee’s storytelling to an end for now. “It’s time for dinner.”
Lee put all his medals back in the cabinet, and the three of them strode to the dining room, with Lauren leading the way.
Gramps slapped Chase on the back in male camaraderie. “You know, you’re not so bad, Mr. Gossard,” he said in a lighthearted tone.
Chase chuckled, oddly pleased that he’d managed to secure Lee’s favor.
They all sat down at the table, he and Lauren on one side, Dale and Penny across from them, and Gramps at the head. All the food was already laid out, and platters were passed around for them to serve whatever portion size they wanted.
It was such a simple thing, really, but also so family oriented. Chase couldn’t remember ever sitting at a table with his parents while they were married, and after his mother left, well, he’d eaten most of his meals on a TV tray in front of the TV, or alone at the kitchen counter. There was an underlying sense of love and security in this house that he’d never had, and this caring environment brought a pang to his chest and made him truly realize everything he’d missed out on.
Penny had made beef stroganoff with noodles from scratch, along with those buttered green beans that Lauren had mentioned that night at his place as one of her favorites, and now he understood why. According to Penny, the vegetables had been picked fresh from the garden that afternoon and they’d been sauteed in butter and garlic, but their crisp, sweet flavor still came through. They were better than any side dish he’d ever had at the numerous five-star restaurants where he dined.
The discussion at the table started with Lauren giving her parents and Gramps an update on her job, and how well the Future Fast Track charity ball had gone, which had been her first big event without her boss being there. Much to Gramps’s chagrin, Penny shared the details of his most recent doctor’s visit so Lauren was in the loop of what was going on and how he was doing—which was extremely well , according to Lee.
Penny mentioned her book club, then got Lauren caught up on what Chase perceived to be town gossip. Dale was a man of few words, Chase realized. He was a listener more than a talker, which Chase could appreciate because that was him for the most part, as well.
When there was a brief lull in the conversation near the end of the meal, Penny didn’t hesitate to start asking him questions about his life in general, his family, his job, and living in New York, and yes, how he and Lauren met. All things a parent would want to know about the new man in their daughter’s life.
“So, how serious are things between the two of you?” Penny asked, sliding that loaded question into the conversation. “I’m assuming pretty serious for Lauren to bring you home to meet the family.”
“ Mom ,” Lauren objected, sounding horrified that Penny had put him on the spot in regard to their relationship, and his intentions.
“Honey, you know your father and I have been worried about you since… well, you know ,” she said in a low voice, as if speaking in hushed tones would make the insinuation any easier to bear. “We’re just happy to see you haven’t sworn off men altogether and met someone so well suited to you.” She beamed at Chase.
Lauren groaned, and across the table Dale just remained quiet and shook his head in resignation at his wife’s meddling.
“I’m so sorry,” Lauren mumbled, her face a deep shade of pink.
“Don’t be.” Wanting to ease her embarrassment, he impulsively reached over and grabbed her hand, bringing it to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to the back of it. Her eyes went wide at the public display of affection, and he gave her a reassuring wink before glancing back at Penny.
“Mrs. Connelly, I can appreciate you wanting the best for Lauren,” he said, interjecting understanding into his tone. “And what I can tell you is that Lauren and I are still getting to know one another, but what I’ve discovered so far, I like. A lot,” he said, realizing how true those words were, that it wasn’t just perfunctory praise to appease her family. “Right now, we’re taking things slow and just seeing where it goes.”
“Fair enough,” Dale finally chimed in, and his answer seemed to satisfy both Penny and Lee, too.
They stayed for another hour and a half, while Lauren helped her mother clean up the kitchen, then Penny served freshly made peach cobbler and coffee for dessert. It was nearing seven in the evening by the time Lauren made the excuse that they were tired after a long day and they finally said their goodbyes and left.
Chase walked Lauren to the car, opened the passenger door for her, and once she was inside, he went around to the driver’s side and slid behind the wheel. As soon as both doors were shut tight and they were sealed inside, Lauren exhaled a long breath that ended on a groan.
“Thank God that’s over,” she said, resting her head back against the seat before glancing at him with a tired smile. “My family can be exhausting with all the talking and questions. Especially my mother and Gramps.”
Without thinking, he reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear so that he could see her face better in the fading twilight, and had to resist the urge to slide his hand around the back of her neck and bring her mouth to his for a slow, hot kiss. It was something he’d been dying to do since picking her up at her apartment earlier that afternoon.
“It wasn’t so bad, Scouty ,” he teased, using the nickname Lee had used several times over the course of the evening.
She sighed, but the smile remained. “You were wonderful with my parents. And Gramps. You did a fantastic job winning them over and convincing them we’re a happy couple with that whole spiel at the dinner table about us taking things slow and seeing where they go. I know it wasn’t easy dealing with what probably felt like an interrogation at times, but thank you for being so great about everything, considering we’re not in a real relationship.”
Those last words were like a kick to Chase’s stomach, a stark reminder that they weren’t a couple, even though the last few hours with Lauren had been very natural, and nothing had felt forced or fake between them. As he stared into her gratitude-filled eyes, his chest tightened with the realization that a part of him wished their relationship was real, because he was starting to feel things for Lauren that were so much more than their fabricated romance.
It was a dangerous notion when they’d be parting ways on Sunday, probably for good. He’d promised her one weekend, and honestly, that’s all he’d ever had in him to give to a woman. He didn’t know the first thing about how to make a true relationship work, and he didn’t trust himself not to fuck it all up with someone as vibrant and kind-hearted as Lauren.