19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
Millie
Jade and I sit down at a cozy corner table in the small, trendy restaurant. The mood is relaxed and the aroma of delicious food fills the air. Jade is already digging into her pasta, while I sip on a glass of red wine, trying to calm my nerves.
“So, spill,” Jade says between bites. “How were the interviews?”
I take a deep breath, swirling the wine in my glass. “The interviews were amazing. But that’s not exactly what I need to talk about.”
Jade raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Ooh, I’m all ears. What’s up?”
I glance around, making sure no one is paying too much attention. “Well, I’m kind of attracted to all three of the guys—Finn, Declan, and Chase.”
Jade’s eyes widen. “Shut the fuck up. You’re telling me you’re into all three of them?”
“Yeah, I know. It’s a mess,” I admit, feeling a flush creep up my neck. “And, um, Declan and I...we, uh, had a moment.”
Jade nearly chokes on her pasta. “What? Declan? You and Declan?”
I nod, trying to keep my voice low. “Yeah. In the locker room. It was...intense.”
Jade’s eyes are practically sparkling. “Girl, that’s insane. Tell me everything!”
I take another sip of wine, trying to find the right words. “It was rough and desperate, but it felt...so right in the moment. I didn’t even think about it. I just acted on impulse.”
Jade is practically vibrating with excitement. “You go, girl! Get it while you can! But seriously, are you going to tell Chase?”
I frown, stirring my pasta absentmindedly. “I’m not sure. We had a conversation about being open and honest. But now I’m second-guessing myself.”
Jade looks at me with a serious expression. “Millie, you have to tell him. It wouldn’t be fair to lie or hide stuff like this. You know how it is.”
I nod, feeling the weight of her words. “You’re right. I need to be honest with him.”
“Where’s Peanut?” Jade asks suddenly, changing the subject.
“He’s at Chase’s clinic. I dropped him off earlier today.”
Jade reaches across the table, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Good luck, Millie. I hope everything works out. Just remember, honesty is the best policy.”
I smile at her, grateful for her support. “Thanks. I’ll keep you updated.”
After dinner, I say goodbye to Jade and head to Chase’s clinic. The streets are quiet and I feel the cool evening air on my face as I walk. My mind races with thoughts of the conversation I need to have with Chase.
When I finally arrive at the clinic, I take a deep breath and walk inside, hoping I can find the right words to explain everything.
The moment I walk into the clinic, I see Victoria is at the front desk, busy with some paperwork. She glances up and smiles. “Hey, Millie! Chase is in the back with Peanut.”
“Thanks, Victoria,” I say, heading toward the back of the clinic.
As I push open the door to the back room, I see Chase on the floor with Peanut, scratching him behind the ears. Peanut’s tail wags furiously and he’s clearly enjoying the attention.
Chase looks up and smiles at me. “Hey, how did the interviews go?”
I try to muster a smile, but it fades quickly as I see the concern in Chase’s eyes. “Actually, I’m not sure what to tell you.”
He frowns, his hand stilling on Peanut’s belly. “What’s wrong? Talk to me, baby.”
I take a deep breath, my heart racing. “It’s about Declan. We...we had sex.”
“When? Where?”
“In the locker room.”
Chase runs a hand through his hair, his face shifting from confusion to something more serious. “Okay…okay. At least you told me.”
I look at him, feeling a lump in my throat. “Are you mad?”
He shakes his head slowly, his expression thoughtful. “I’m feeling a little possessive, but not mad, no. It’s good that you’re honest with me. I need to know these things.”
I exhale, “So, are we okay?”
Chase nods. “Yeah, we’re okay. Just...if there’s going to be more with Declan, we all need to get tested.”
I nod in agreement, appreciating his level-headedness. “Of course. I’ll make sure of it.”
Chase steps closer, his eyes softening. “Are you really okay?”
I give him a small smile, feeling comforted by his presence. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
He tilts my chin up and kisses me gently. My heart melts into the kiss and I feel a wave of gratitude. “Thank you for being so understanding.”
Chase pulls back slightly, his eyes searching mine. “Don’t thank me, baby. It’s just how I feel. How could anyone see you and not be immediately obsessed?”
I smile, feeling a warm flush spread across my cheeks. “You’re sweet.”
Chase chuckles and wraps his arms around me, holding me close. “Just don’t forget, no matter what happens with Declan or anyone else, you’re my priority.”
I nod, burying my face in his chest. “I won’t forget.”
Peanut barks happily and I look down at him. “Thanks for looking after Peanut.”
Chase gently brushes a strand of hair from my face. “Anytime. Now, let’s go get something to eat and talk more about this, okay?”
“Actually, I just had dinner with Jade.”
“Great. We can grab a pizza for me.”
I nod, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “That sounds perfect.”
We gather Peanut and head out of the clinic together, a sense of calm settling over me. I know we still have things to work through, but for now, I’m just grateful for Chase’s understanding and support.