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He looks at the ceiling while chewing a piece of steak, and I start to think I made a mistake by prying into his personal business.
“I was hit by a car,” he says after a few moments. “It was late one night, and I was crossing the street to the parking garage after work. The driver who hit me broke my pelvis and both my legs. I ended up with nerve damage, but I’m actually part of a special trial that’s attempting to stimulate the nerves to regenerate. I’m hopeful, but if it doesn’t happen, I can live with it.”
“What were you like before the accident?”
“I was active. I played basketball, was a center fielder on a softball team during the summer, and ran each morning. When it was colder, I spent time weightlifting. I was in pretty good shape, and that’s what I think attracted Carrie to me.”
“Do you? That’s all?”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Chase, you’re very handsome. I’m sure you get plenty of female attention.”
“I don’t notice it.”
“You don’t notice women looking at you?” I peer at him, incredulous.
“I don’t because I’m not interested. Remember, I’m married to my work.”
“Is that going to be forever? You don’t ever plan on changing your mind about marriage?”
“Do you?”
“Probably not, but I feel like my circumstances were more damaging than yours. Your wife was just a jerk. My boyfriend broke my heart with no explanation.”
“I would say that he was a jerk too. He must not have seen what he had in front of him.”
“You’re very different from when you’re in the office.” As I switch topics, I take a sip from my glass.
“How do you know? You’ve only met me once in the office.”
“I have my sources.”
Chase raises one eyebrow. “You mean you spoke to some of your colleagues in Atlanta? Look, I know I can be a hard ass, but that’s only because I’m passionate about what Nolan is doing. If they can improve the lives of people through their drug therapy, then I’m all for it.”
“I didn’t mean to imply anything.”
“Yes, you did, and that’s fine. I like to know how people view me. It won’t change how I am because I’m just doing my job.”
I don’t know how to respond, so we finish the meal with only the scraping of silverware on the ceramic plates to break the silence between us. When the waitress offers us dessert, we both quickly decline. She places the check on the table, and I reach for it, but not fast enough as Chase snatches it before my fingers can grasp the paper.
“I think not,” Chase says.
I frown. “Why not? Are you afraid of an independent woman?”
He smirks. “Not one bit, but it’s not my nature to allow a woman to pay for a meal, especially one I invited her to.”
“Let’s split it.”
Chase shakes his head. “Out of the question,” he says as he withdraws his credit card from his wallet.
There’s plenty of tension between us, and I tap my foot as he pays our bill. The mood has become so uncomfortable that I prefer to go straight home. Out on the street, I say goodbye to Chase, and we go our separate ways.
“Megan?” I hear him call when I’m partway down the sidewalk.
When I turn, he gestures for me to come over to him. Not knowing what to expect, I warily acquiesce. Just as I’m close enough, he leans in and gently kisses my cheek without explanation, then turns to leave. A bit stunned, I can only stare at his retreating figure. As I walk home, I keep mentally replaying how soft his lips felt on my skin.
It’s still early when I reach my apartment. After dropping my purse on the table, I wonder if Olivia, Lexi’s best friend who lives below me, is home. Olivia is as single as I am, and fun to go to a club with, especially when she talks her brother Matty into joining. But lately, he’s been seeing some woman so he might be out for the count. I dial Olivia’s cell, but it goes right to voicemail.
