Page 59 of Chasing the Sun

“No. Why?”

“I just thought I’d say hello. She was so sweet last weekend at the emergency clinic. I can tell how much she cares about Molly.”

He nodded, wishing they could stay off the subject of Chloe, but Victoria wasn’t done yet.

“She cares about you too. I can see it.”

He shifted uncomfortably and searched for the proper response.

Before he came up with one, she placed a hand on his forearm, her touch familiar yet strange at the same time.

“We were together a long time, Bryce. I know you care about her too.”

But I shouldn’t. “Victoria…”

“Listen. You deserve happiness too.”

“I am happy.” But it sounded hollow.

“You’re always taking care of other people—your patients, your daughter, your family. But what about you?”

“I’m fine, Vic. Just a little melancholy tonight, that’s all. You should go.”

She sighed, and he thought he was finally off the hook.

“One piece of advice. If you have feelings for her, you should let her know. It won’t do you any good keeping them inside. Good night, Bryce.” With that, she got into the car and backed out as Molly waved wildly from the back seat.

Once they were out of sight, he stood in the driveway for a few beats, feeling lonelier than before, Victoria’s words ringing in his ears. It wasn’t just what she’d said that had his mind whirring; it was what she hadn’t said. She’d basically warned him not to make the same mistake twice.

How ironic that his ex-wife was the one giving him relationship advice, but she was right. He did care about Chloe, more than he wanted to admit, and he hated that she was out riding around on the back of his brother’s bike.

He went back inside, slumped down on the couch, and shoved his hands in his hair. The question was: What am I going to do about it?

Chapter 19

Chloe was enjoying Seb’s company, but not enough to keep her from missing Bryce. She’d ridden on the back of his bike, her chest pressed to his back, yet she hadn’t felt that zing she experienced with Bryce. Seb had brought her to a bar/restaurant where they were now having drinks and appetizers on the outdoor patio. It was a beautiful night with a warm sun and gentle breeze, yet she couldn’t completely enjoy it.

The entire time they’d been talking, she’d been wondering what Bryce was doing. Had he gone out after Molly left? Had he gone to visit his dentist “friend” again? God, she hoped not. Yet here she was, on a sort of date with his brother. She and Bryce had no claim on each other whatsoever, so why did she feel like she was doing something wrong?

“You didn’t hear a word I just said, did you?” Seb asked, looking more amused than irritated.

“Yes, I did. You were just talking about um…uh…”

He laughed. “Thought so.”

“Sorry. I’m a bit distracted tonight.”

“Yeah. I gathered that.”

Glancing down at her empty glass, she said, “I’ll take another drink, though.”

“Yeah?”

He looked hopeful then, and she felt a twinge of guilt. She didn’t want to give him the wrong idea, but she wasn’t sure how to let him down nicely.

“I’ll go up to the bar and get refills. Be right back.”

He sauntered off, and she watched him go, his faded jeans hugging his tight buns, his T-shirt stretched across broad shoulders. She sighed and tipped up her glass to finish the remains of her margarita.