Page 88 of Chasing Forever

Of course, she did. “Um…I don’t know, Dad.”

“What don’t you know? Miranda said you were crazy about her.”

“Miranda has a big mouth.”

Daniel chuckled. “Anyway, I have to go. My next appointment’s here.”

After a quick goodbye, Chase hung up, feeling a mixture of relief and trepidation. Daniel had taken the news better than he’d thought, which was great. But when he’d mentioned meeting Callie, Chase had balked.

While he wanted to continue a relationship with her in Michigan, he wasn’t sure he was ready for all that went with it. Meeting the parents was a serious step in his mind, and he wasn’t sure that either of them was ready for that.

Damn if he hadn’t thought about her all day long though. He hadn’t heard her come back yet, and he assumed she and Quinn were still out exploring the island.

He hoped to see her later, but for now, he decided to head to the pool. He took his phone so he wouldn’t miss her call and chided himself for acting like a lovesick fool.

Once he’d claimed a chair poolside, he settled in and decided to check his email before taking a swim. He skimmed down through the various work emails and advertisements until he saw Callie’s name, and he broke out in a huge grin.

In the subject line, she’d typed Chasing Forever with a heart next to it. She’d said she would send her draft to him, but he was still surprised. Noticing the time stamp on the email, he realized she’d sent it this morning before leaving to pick up Quinn from the airport.

It meant a lot to him that she’d sent it, since she’d never shared her first drafts with anyone before. Her email read:

Chase,

Here’s the first draft of my new book. I’ll be editing it multiple times before it ever sees the light of day. I hope you enjoy reading it, and feel free to share your criticisms with me. I can take it! I’ll be anxious to hear what you think. Talk soon.

Callie

Chase clicked on the attachment to download her draft, leaned back in the lounge chair, and began to read…

Chapter 39

Callie kept checking her phone throughout the day, but she hadn’t heard from Chase. She and Quinn had done all the things on Quinn’s list, and now they were driving back to the resort after having dinner at Puka Dog. Callie smiled, thinking how much had changed since she’d first eaten there. That time, she’d been spying on her muse, and now she’d fallen in love with him. Had he read her draft yet? Had he figured out he was her hero?

“Just call him,” Quinn said when they were driving away.

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“What if he hated it? What if that’s why he hasn’t contacted me today? He’s had plenty of time to read it by now.”

“Maybe he hasn’t checked his email. Maybe he’s been moping around the resort, missing you the way you’ve been missing him.”

“I have not been moping.”

Quinn laughed. “You’ve been doing a good job of trying to hide it, but I can see right through you.”

Callie sighed. “I promised I’d introduce you, but maybe we should wait until tomorrow.”

Quinn shook her head. “Uh-uh. You are not backing out of this.”

“But…”

“No buts, Callie. We’re going inside to freshen up, and then you’re taking me next door to meet the man.”

Callie took a deep breath. “You’re right. I jumped off a cliff, so I can do this.”

“That’s my girl!”