Chapter Sixteen
L auren made it through the week on autopilot, barely aware of what she worked on, and by the time the weekend arrived, she was tired, weary, and wondering how long it was going to take for her to get over Chase. And if that was even possible.
After sleeping past noon on Saturday, which she never did, she finally shuffled out to the kitchen in her fuzzy slippers, not even caring that she looked a hot mess in her oldest, rattiest comfort pajamas, her hair an unkempt disarray around her head.
Her outward appearance definitely matched the morose way she was feeling inside, and she embraced the whole package, because it was her day off and she’d given herself this one last weekend to indulge in a good sulk before figuring out how she was going to explain to her parents and Gramps that she and Chase had called it quits. Her mother had left a few messages since the previous weekend, and Lauren called her back, only to get her voice mail. They’d been playing phone tag, but the truth of the matter was that she couldn’t avoid the topic of Chase forever, so that excruciating conversation was on the weekend’s docket. Ugh .
There was no denying that the painful way things had ended between them had felt as devastating as a breakup. Even more so than how things had ended with Greg, which told Lauren just how deeply she’d fallen for her grumpy, reluctant bachelor.
“Good morning!” Tara greeted her in a too chipper tone as her roommate exited her own bedroom, way too bright, fresh, and energetic for Lauren’s mood. “Good of you to join the land of the living.”
Lauren grunted in response as she rummaged through the refrigerator, grabbing the last container of the banana pudding she’d bought from a deli down the street. The rich, indulgent dessert with real bananas, whipped cream, and vanilla wafer cookies reminded her of the one her grandma used to make, and if this was her last day of wallowing, then she was going to make sure she at least enjoyed her favorite treat while she indulged in her pity party.
Taking her breakfast to the living room, she plopped down on the couch, removed the lid, and dove into the pudding.
Tara followed, eyeing her with genuine concern. “What is it going to take to snap you out of this funk you’re in, because I gotta tell you, this is not a good look on you,” she said, indicating Lauren’s entire appearance with a wave of her hand.
“ This is the look of having your heart crushed,” she informed her friend.
Tara rolled her eyes, because yes, Lauren was being dramatic and didn’t care.
Tara crossed her colorfully tattooed arms over her chest. “Want me to go beat him up for you?”
Lauren cracked the first smile all week, even though Tara looked completely serious. “I appreciate the offer, but no. I’ll be fine. I promise,” she lied, because who really knew how long it took for a shattered heart to heal?
“I knew I should have set you up with one of the biker guys from the shop,” she said, lips pursed. “Those types of bad boys are notorious heartbreakers, so at least you would have seen it coming.”
Lauren ate the last bite of pudding, set the container on the table in front of the couch, then sighed. “Honestly? I have no regrets.”
It was the truth. The memories she had with Chase were bittersweet, and she chose to focus on the sweeter aspects of their time together. Like the fun pictures of them in the photo booth, and those last few images where she and Chase were staring into each other’s eyes, their connection and affection so evident.
Their pretend relationship might have started out as a ruse, but a man like Chase couldn’t fake those kinds of emotions. She could see for herself how happy he’d been, but there was no forcing him to see the truth, or accept feelings he wasn’t ready or willing to embrace.
A knock sounded on the door to their apartment, and Tara frowned. “Do not tell me you DoorDashed more junk food to eat.”
Lauren shook her head. “No, I didn’t. I have no idea who it is.”
Tara walked to the door and opened it. “Oh,” she exclaimed, causing Lauren to attempt to peer around her to see who was standing on the other side, but her roommate was blocking her view. “Those are beautiful,” Tara said.
“They’re for Lauren Connelly,” a young man’s voice said.
Lauren’s heart skipped a beat. Who could be sending her flowers? And why?
“I’ll take them.” Tara gestured to Lauren behind her. “She’s right over there and not really looking her best. I don’t want to scare you off.”
“Oh, my God,” Lauren said in a disgruntled tone. “I don’t look that bad!”
Tara turned around, holding a huge bouquet of flowers that were so big they covered her friend’s face. “You kinda do,” she said, peeking around the arrangement, as she headed toward the kitchen area. “Have you seen your hair?”
Lauren stood and smoothed a hand over the strands, grimacing as her fingers got caught in the tangles and snarls from not brushing it after waking up. Whatever.
“Well, well, well, I wonder who these are from,” Tara drawled as she set the vase on the table, then removed the small envelope from the arrangement.
“That’s mine, thank you very much.” Reaching her friend’s side, Lauren plucked the note from Tara’s fingers, her heart racing with a thousand hopeful probabilities, because only one person she could think of would send her flowers this elaborate. Blooms that undoubtedly cost a few hundred dollars, even if she didn’t know why he’d sent them.
“Oh, she perks up,” Tara teased.
Lauren rolled her eyes as she tore open the envelope then read the message inside, written in a masculine scrawl. I’m not a pro at grand gestures, or even apologies, but you deserve them. Meet me for dinner tonight. Love, Chase.
The breath left Lauren’s lungs, and a giddy excitement permeated her entire body. The first part of that note made the heartache of the last week melt away, but it was the last two words, Love, Chase , that had the first glimmering signs of optimism blossoming inside her.
“Huh,” Tara said from beside her. “Impressive. The guy certainly knows how to grovel, which is an important trait for any man to have. Are you going to meet him for dinner?”
“Of course I am,” she said without any hesitation.
Her friend arched a pierced brow. “Even after everything he put you through?”
“I’m not going to lie. I hated everything about the way things ended between us last Sunday, but… I understand Chase enough to know that he needed this time and space to process how quick and intense things developed between us.” She was just grateful that he came to what she hoped was a promising conclusion as the note indicated, instead of deciding Lauren was better off without him. Which she wasn’t.
Another knock sounded at the door, and this time Lauren rushed over and made it there first, finding another delivery person, a woman, standing on the other side of the threshold holding a glossy black box with Oscar de la Renta stamped in gold on top, along with another envelope.
She thanked the woman, then brought the box over to the table and set it next to the vase of flowers. Tara’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head when she saw the name of the designer on the box, while Lauren pulled the next message out of the envelope.
The note read, I’m thinking positively and hope you’ve decided that your answer to meet me for dinner is a yes. Here’s something for you to wear, but you would look beautiful in anything, or nothing at all. A driver will pick you up at 5:30. See you soon, Chase.
Biting her bottom lip, Lauren lifted the lid and peeled back the tissue paper, gasping as she pulled out a cocktail dress in a gorgeous shade of dark pink. It was a simple silhouette with a sweeping neckline, a cinched waist, and a fluted skirt, but what made the dress so stunning was the small, crystal flower embellishments embroidered into the fabric. Clearly, Chase already knew her tastes. Also inside the box was a silver clutch and matching strappy heels.
“Holy shit,” Tara breathed in awe. “He’s pulling out all the stops. Your guy is not messing around, because a dress like that had to have set him back at least five grand, if not more.”
Lauren winced at the amount, because she was certain Tara was right and damn, that was a lot of money. But she also realized how much time and effort all this planning had taken for this grand gesture and apology, all to make her feel special.
She spent the rest of the afternoon with Tara, feeling like Cinderella getting ready for the ball. After soaking in a fragrant bath, Tara helped her with her makeup and curling her hair, then zipping up the dress when it was almost time to go.
When the outfit was complete with the shoes and purse, Tara beamed at her, and Lauren smiled back, feeling like a princess, which wasn’t something she’d ever thought of herself, at least not before Chase.
“Ahhh, now there’s the Lauren I know and love,” Tara said, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze. “The one with the vibrant sparkle in her eyes and the glow on her face, radiating happiness. Now go and get your man.”
She planned to.
The driver arrived, and while the elaborate flowers and the over-the-top designer dress were wonderful, none of those things mattered to Lauren. The only thing that was important to her was Chase truly opening himself up to the possibility of falling in love with her. It was all she wanted, and she hoped that tonight was just the beginning for them.
She had no idea where she was going, but had another jaw-dropping moment as the car pulled up to the valet for Elysian Heights. An attendant opened her door and helped her out, and she walked into the exclusive restaurant, which was surprisingly… not busy and fairly quiet for a Saturday evening, except for the faint sound of classical music playing in the background.
Frowning in confusion, she stepped up to the woman standing behind the hostess stand, who smiled at her.
“I assume you’re here for Chase Gossard?” she asked, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
Lauren nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“He’s waiting for you in the dining area. Right this way.”
She followed the woman to a set of double mahogany doors, which she opened, revealing a room with just one table in the middle, and Chase standing beside it in a tailored suit, the entire restaurant empty of any other guests.
She gaped in shock, wondering how in the world Chase had managed such a feat, and how he’d known about her secret desire to eat at Elysian Heights.
“Enjoy your evening, Ms. Connelly,” the woman said pleasantly, then closed the doors behind her as she retreated, leaving Lauren alone with Chase.
***
Chase couldn’t recall ever being so nervous as he watched Lauren slowly approach him, her eyes wide as she took in the interior of the quiet restaurant, her gaze slowly landing on him. He walked toward her, too, meeting her halfway.
She smiled, and that was all he needed to see to know that everything was going to be okay. She looked so radiant in the pink dress that conformed to her curves, her eyes sparkling with awe and a flush on her beautiful face. She was such a breath of fresh air when he’d been suffocating for far too long, and she made him want to be a better man, just for her.
And dear God, he just wanted to drop to his knees in front of her and beg her to forgive him for being such a dumbass the previous weekend. But he already knew there was no need for that. This woman knew all the parts of him, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and she’d already accepted him, flaws and all. It had just taken him a little longer to figure his shit out.
Last weekend, he’d honestly believed he was being noble, that in letting her go, he was protecting her from the emotionally damaged man he believed himself to be. His talk with Billie had been a defining moment, where he’d realized that ending things with Lauren had been all about his own self-preservation, wrapped up in false heroism. He hadn’t been saving her from him. All he’d been doing was denying himself the chance to know and experience the kind of love she gave so freely, no strings attached.
Reaching her, he took Lauren’s hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm as he escorted her back to the table. He held out Lauren’s chair and waited until she was seated before joining her in the seat across from her.
She looked around in confusion, taking in the elegant décor before her gaze came back to his. “I, uh, don’t understand.”
He tipped his head and smiled at her. “What are you having a hard time comprehending?”
“This is quite the grand gesture,” she teased him, easing any last lingering traces of anxiety he might have been feeling. “But… I mean… how ?”
“How did I know you wanted to dine at Elysian Heights?” he asked, trying to guess what she was asking. “Your gramps mentioned it.”
She shook her head, causing the soft waves in her hair to brush along her shoulders. “No, I mean, it’s a Saturday night and we’re the only ones here, at a restaurant that books out months in advance.”
Oh, yeah, that . He smirked and shrugged. “I might have pulled a few strings to make it happen. The owner is a client.” Not to mention, he’d paid a pretty penny to have the existing reservations rescheduled, and the dining room all to themselves for the next two hours.
“And the dress…” she said softly. “You shouldn’t have.”
“I’m glad I did,” he replied without hesitation. “You look… breathtaking.”
A pink blush swept across her cheeks. “All this… it’s too much.”
He disagreed. “You’re worth every fucking penny, sweetheart. I realized that spoiling you makes me happy, so you might as well get used to it.”
Before she could respond, they were interrupted by the only waiter in the dining area as he came to their table with the bottle of wine Chase had ordered earlier, and poured them each a glass. Oliver introduced himself, then gave them an overview of what to expect for their five-course tasting menu, which was being prepared by celebrity chef Rand Turro, himself.
The meal started immediately, and wanting Lauren to enjoy the complete Elysian Heights experience, he deliberately kept their conversation light. The last thing he wanted to do was to ruin the atmosphere with a serious discussion, though he knew it was going to happen before the night was over. There were things he wanted to say to her, things she needed to hear.
Instead, he watched Lauren’s delightful reaction to everything. How she oohed and awwed over the presentation of each course, and the way she moaned and made the sexiest noises as she savored each and every bite of food.
Chef Rand came to their table at one point, and Chase had to swallow back his laughter at how cute Lauren was with the other man, gushing over his food and blushing and stammering on about how she loved watching him on the reality competition show.
After finishing her little trio of desserts, she sat back in her chair with a happy, contented sigh. “That was amazing.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
She placed her linen napkin down and held his gaze from across the table. “So, what prompted all this?”
“If I’m being honest, Billie,” he said, rubbing his palm along his jaw. “After a miserable week at work, I met her for dinner on Thursday. She introduced me to her new boyfriend, Neil Pierson, the guy I took the place of at the bachelor auction.”
Lauren grinned. “She mentioned that they were dating, and she seems very smitten with him.”
“They’re quite well matched,” he agreed. “More so than you and he would have been. I should have thanked him for getting sick and pulling out of the auction.”
Her eyes widened, hope shimmering in the depths. “Why?”
“Because if he hadn’t, I never would have met you,” he said, the words coming far easier than he ever would have imagined, because they were real, true, and heartfelt. “I would have missed out on the best thing that has happened in my life, besides finding Billie. I would have never known what it was like to be in the presence of a woman who makes me smile and laugh more than I ever had. You’ve challenged me, you’ve made me take a good, hard look at my past, and I’m so ready to let go of all the bitterness and resentment that has been weighing me down for too long.”
She stood up and came around the table to his side, then sat on his lap, looping her arms around his neck. “You’re doing so well,” she said with one of the playful grins that he loved. “Tell me more.”
He laughed gruffly, his hands settling on the curves of her waist as he met, and held, her gaze. “We both already know what an idiot I was to let you walk away last weekend.”
She bit her bottom lip, her eyes flashing with humor. “I’m not going to argue with that.”
He dug even deeper, to make sure she understood how much of an impact she’d had on him. “What you made me feel in a very short time… I’ve never been through so many emotions. I’ve never felt that kind of longing and need that I did for you, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say that scared the shit out of me.”
“It’s okay to be afraid,” she said softly, her fingers caressing the nape of his neck. “Entrusting another person with your heart is a scary and vulnerable thing, and so is falling in love. But it’s so worth the risk.”
“ You are worth the risk,” he said, needing her to know that he was ready and willing to take that leap of faith with her. “Do you remember what you said to me after I told you about my past, at the park? That there are crossroads that we come to in our lives and we can choose to stay on the same beaten path, wishing things were different, or we can make an altogether better choice and alter the direction of our future?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Well, I choose you , Lauren Connelly. You’re the path I want to follow into the future.” He reached up a hand and gently cupped her cheek, and she didn’t hesitate to nuzzle into his palm. “Just be patient with me,” he said. “This is all new to me, and I have no doubt I’m going to fuck up now and then.”
She laughed huskily. “No relationship is perfect, but you’re perfect for me.”
He slid his hand into her hair and pressed his forehead to hers. “How is that even possible?”
She grinned at him and pressed her body closer to his. “You just have a grumpy charm about you that I can’t resist.”
She shifted on his lap and he groaned, suddenly all too aware of just how well her ass was positioned against his cock. “I’m ready to move on to the next part of the evening, how about you?”
She did that slight shimmy thing again with her hips, deliberately tempting him this time. “Which part would that be?”
He placed his lips near her ear. “Taking you home and disheveling the fuck out of you.”
She shivered at those familiar words, and when she pulled her head back, the need in her eyes matched the one in his soul. “Yes, I would like that very much, please.”
He chuckled, and couldn’t get Lauren out of there and alone fast enough.
As he drove them toward his place, feeling happier than ever, he knew one thing for certain. All the things that had once tethered him to the past no longer mattered. Only the future did, with Lauren by his side.
Forever.