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I envy their easy camaraderie.
The next hour sails by smoothly, with Liz getting a kick out of my Porn ’stache lawyer story, though Chase stays conspicuously quiet. Liz promises to come by the store next week, and Chase pays the bill. I try to fight him on it, for like a second before giving up with an eye roll in his direction.
Liz touches my arm, directing my attention away from her smooth-talking brother. “What is it that you’re humming?”
“I’m humming?”
Chase snorts. “Yes. You do it all the time.”
“I do?” Shoot. I know I do. I just hadn’t realized how noticeable it was.
“Was that an Elvis song too?” His simple question tells me he’s been paying attention to my ridiculous quirk, and I can’t help but feel happy about that.
“Um, yes. It’s ‘Little Sister.’”
Chase and Liz laugh while my face heats.
“I don’t know that one,” Chase says.
“You know a lot of Elvis?” Liz nudges her brother. “I mean, I knew you were old, but not that old.”
“Hey, now,” I interrupt, unable to let any slight to the King go. “Elvis is a classic. A legend. Anyone who has any taste in music knows Elvis.”
Liz looks back and forth between Chase and me, an amused look on her face. “I like her,” she directs toward her brother, ignoring my previous indignation at her lack of respect toward the King.
Even so, my heart warms at her words, because I find myself liking her too. But then the treacherous muscle skips a beat when Chase nods in agreement, murmuring, “Me too.”
Quiet descends for a moment until Liz saves us from awkwardness, getting us back on track. “I haven’t been to the store in ages. I used to go with my mom, but…” She shrugs. “It’s been a while, what with me at school and her with her charities. Now I just have Susan pull clothes for me.” She motions me forward and leans in, whispering, “Don’t tell anyone, but I really hate shopping.”
I lean back, blowing out a breath. “I don’t know. A secret like that coming from the heiress of a shopping magnate…” I look at Chase, smiling. “Does your father know about this?”
The levity I’d been going for falls flat as their smiles disappear. I could kick myself for forgetting that their father is actually a world-class dick.
I’m about to apologize when Liz quickly rebounds with a laugh. “Nothing to worry about. My lackluster shopping skills are just a drop in the bucket for paternal disappointments.”
I laugh with her, but just like hers, it’s forced.
“Speaking of, I’m pretty sure Stan cooled down a bit when he saw the recent numbers,” Liz tells Chase. “Maybe you’ll be saved from a face-to-face with Daddy after all.”
“Another one?” I suppress a shudder. I don’t know how Chase can deal with that man, father or not. “How often does he come to the store?”
“What do you mean, another one?” Liz shoots her brother a look. “You mean Bell was there when he stormed the store a week or two ago?” She pouts and punches him lightly on the arm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Once again, I’ve put my expensively booted foot in it.
Chase lets out a long-suffering breath.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” I say to Liz before Chase can answer. “Your father just… introduced himself, is all.”
Before Liz can do more than roll her eyes, Chase butts in. “Don’t worry about it, Lizzy. Focus on your degree.”
She slaps his shoulder. “Ugh, don’t call me Lizzy.”
They continue squawking at each other in that familiar, loving way I’ve always imagined siblings having. It’s obvious how much he cares for his sister. One more layer to Chase I find attractive.
And now that the downturn of the conversation after I’d brought up Stan has passed, I should quit before I step in the metaphorical cow patty again.
Clearing my throat, I grab their attention. “Thanks so much for the drinks,” I say to Chase. “And for the lovely company,” I direct at Liz. My chair scrapes over the wood floor as I rise. “But I should be off.”
