Chapter 31 Palmetto Lies
Palmetto Lies
The Low-Tide Tavern was in full swing—laughter, live music, and the scent of fried seafood mixing with the salt air drifting in through the open patio doors.
The glow of neon beer signs flickered softly against the dark wood paneling, and the hum of conversation filled the space, weaving between the chords of the band playing in the corner.
At their booth, the four of them were comfortably tucked in—Savannah and Chase on one side, Nate and Mallory on the other.
It had started as casual seating, but at some point—somewhere between their first drinks and the effortless conversation—Savannah had ended up pressed against Chase’s side, his thigh warm and firm against hers, his arm stretched casually along the back of the booth.
And she didn’t mind.
Didn’t even think about moving.
Mallory, meanwhile, was practically wrapped around her drink, laughing at whatever Nate had just said, her face bright with amusement.
“Wait, wait,” she gasped, shaking her head, still giggling. “You mean to tell me that you—Nate Harper—once got kicked out of a restaurant?”
Nate groaned, scrubbing a hand down his face. “It was one time. And technically, I wasn’t kicked out, I was just—strongly encouraged to leave.”
Savannah raised a brow, intrigued. “What the hell did you do?”
Chase took a slow sip of his beer, smirking as if he already knew where this was going.
Nate sighed dramatically. “Listen, I may or may not have attempted to order twenty Milkshakes. All at once. During rush hour.”
Mallory snorted, covering her mouth. “Why?”
“Because I was in college, drunk, and thought it was a good idea.”
Chase chuckled, shaking his head. “You left out the part where you got on the counter.”
Savannah nearly spit out her drink as she turned to Nate. “You what?”
Nate shot Chase a glare. “Wow. Betrayal.”
Chase leaned back, his smirk widening. “I feel like it’s relevant.”
Savannah was laughing too hard to argue, and Mallory was nearly in tears.
“I can’t believe you,” Mallory managed, swiping at her eyes. “You shake’d yourself into a lifetime ban.”
Nate exhaled heavily. “You know what? It was worth it.”
Then Nate leaned back, stretching his arms, and said, “Well, at least I didn’t knock out a groomsman at a wedding.”
Savannah turned to Chase, eyes wide with amusement. “Oh, hell no. Who did you punch?”
Mallory sat up straighter, grinning. “Please tell me it was a good reason.”
Nate chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh, it was. Jaxon and Sara’s wedding. Chase was the best man. And let me tell you, it was legendary.”
Savannah’s brows lifted. “Details. Now.”
Chase smirked, taking a sip of his beer before setting it down.
“One of the groomsmen was getting a little too comfortable with the bride,” he explained, his tone cool, but the edge still there.
Savannah’s jaw dropped. “No.”
“Oh, yeah,” Nate added, shaking his head. “Guy was all over her, drunk as hell, slurring about how ‘Jaxon didn’t deserve her.’”
Mallory gasped. “Please tell me someone handled it.”
Chase grinned, tilting his beer toward himself. “Well, after Sara politely shut him down and he still didn’t get the hint, I gave him one.”
Savannah narrowed her eyes, smirking. “How big of a hint?”
Nate burst out laughing. “The kind where he woke up on the ground. Chase knocked his ass out cold.”
Savannah’s lips parted in pure admiration. “You threw hands at a wedding?”
Chase chuckled, lifting a shoulder. “Of course not, It was at the reception, but it was either that or let Jaxon do it and ruin his own wedding photos.”
Mallory whistled. “Damn. I bet Sara still thanks you for that.”
Chase’s smirk deepened. “Every time we get together.”
Savannah grinned, a warm feeling curling through her. He was loyal. Protective.
Before she could lean into him, maybe kiss him right there at the table—
A voice cut through the air.
“Well, well. Chase Montgomery.”