So you do remember me.
The words dripped with confidence, the tone too familiar, too smooth, too knowing—it was obvious she knew him well.
The entire booth went quiet.
A tall, leggy blonde stood at the edge of their booth, a smirk plastered on her perfect, glossy lips. Her honey-colored hair fell in waves over bare, tanned shoulders, and her dress was a little too tight, a little too perfect.
Everything about her screamed effortlessly put together.
And completely entitled.
Savannah felt Mallory shift across from her, her best friend already sensing the shift in energy.
Meanwhile, Chase?
Chase was calm as hell.
His arm stayed stretched lazily along the back of the booth, his body still pressed against Savannah’s side.
But Savannah caught it.
The tell.
The way his fingers drummed once against the wood of the table before stilling.
His only reaction.
“Jenna,” Chase greeted, voice even, polite.
“So you do remember me.”
Savannah felt Mallory’s eyes on her, like she was waiting to see how she’d react. Nate glanced between Chase and the blonde, already assessing the situation.
Savannah didn’t move.
Didn’t blink.
Just—watched.
Because women like Jenna didn’t just show up for no reason.
And judging by the way she was standing, the way she barely even acknowledged Savannah, Mallory, or Nate—this wasn’t just a friendly catch-up.
Jenna was here for Chase.
And she wasn’t subtle about it.
“I haven’t seen you around lately,” she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.
Nate grinned into his drink, clearly enjoying this way too much.
Chase just lifted his beer, taking a slow sip before answering.
“Been busy.”
Jenna pouted, tilting her head. “Too busy for old friends?”
Savannah?
She just sipped her drink, waiting.
Chase didn’t even hesitate. “Didn’t realize we were friends.”
Nate to cough into his beer, but it sounded a hell of a lot like a laugh.
But Jenna?
Jenna wasn’t backing down.
She let out a light, fake laugh, shaking her head. “Still sharp. I always liked that about you.”
Finally, her attention shifted—to Savannah. Like she had just now noticed her. Like she was some afterthought.
Savannah just met her gaze, unimpressed.
Jenna smiled, but there was nothing warm about it.
"And who’s this?"
Savannah sipped her drink.
Didn’t answer. Didn’t move. Didn’t bite. Because—Chase?
Chase handled it.
“This is Savannah,” he said, flatly, easily, like that was all Jenna needed to know.
And for the first time, Jenna’s smirk faltered.
Just for a second.
Then she recovered, her gaze flicking back to Chase.
"Huh," she mused. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen you bring someone here before."
Savannah’s stomach flipped, but she stayed still.
Jenna’s smirk deepened.
“You usually just leave with them.”
Savannah let out a low, slow breath.
Mallory muttered, "Oh, this is getting good."
But Chase?
Chase just laughed.
Not awkward. Not uncomfortable.
Just amused.
He leaned forward, taking another slow sip of his beer, completely unfazed.
Jenna’s eyes flicked to Savannah again.
Like she had finally figured it out. Finally understood that Chase wasn’t leaving with her. Wasn’t entertaining her.
Because he had someone.
Savannah.
Jenna pursed her lips. “Well—it was nice catching up.”
Chase smiled. “You too.”
And that should have been the end of it.
But Jenna?
Jenna wasn’t done.
She lingered, rolling her shoulders back, trying one more time.
"So," she said, her voice light, casual, but her eyes calculating. "You still out on Palmetto Drive?"
Savannah’s stomach clenched.
Her fingers froze around her drink, her body staying completely still as she processed what Jenna had just said.
Palmetto Drive.
Jenna knew where Chase lived.
And not just vaguely. She knew the street name.
The street name of a house that no woman had ever been to.
Savannah had barely taken a breath before Mallory’s eyes snapped to her.
A quick, sharp glance.
A knowing glance.
Because Chase had told Savannah that no woman had ever been inside his house.
Had never even been invited. And yet…Jenna knew Palmetto Drive.
Savannah lifted her glass, taking a slow sip, not saying a word.
Jenna watched her. Saw the reaction. Or rather, the lack of reaction.
And she smiled. Like she had finally won. Like she had finally found her opening.
Chase? Chase just shook his head, exhaling a short laugh.
Then, without a single ounce of hesitation, he turned to Savannah.
Tilted her chin up. And kissed her. Slow. Deep. Right there in front of everyone.
Jenna went stiff.
Chase pulled back, his lips barely grazing Savannah’s as he smirked.
Then he turned to Jenna.
"Palmetto Drive is nowhere near my house. I just told you that so you’d leave me alone."
Silence.
Then—
Nate let out a loud, sharp laugh, his head dropping back.
Mallory covered her mouth, but her entire body shook with laughter.
Savannah? She just smirked against Chase’s lips, loving every second of it.
Jenna flushed red, her jaw tightening.
"Unbelievable," she muttered, flipping her hair over her shoulder before storming off.
Chase exhaled, leaning back against the booth, taking another sip of his beer.
Mallory shook her head, still laughing. “Damn, that was satisfying.”
Nate wiped a hand over his face. “Man, I gotta start keeping a list of your legendary moments.”
Chase just grinned, stretching his arm back behind Savannah.
“Go ahead.”
And Savannah?
She just leaned into him, smiling into her drink.
Because Jenna was gone.
And Chase?
Chase was exactly where he wanted to be.