It's Always Been You

chapter ten

Chase

"You do?" Her voice a mere whisper as her small fingers still on my arms.

I slowly move my finger to push a loose strand of hair behind her ear, feeling her numerous piercings that coat her earlobe, my gentle touch lingering over them all, before resting on her jaw. Her breathe gets caught in her throat at the gesture.

"You heard me Riles. I want you. I still have feelings for you." My face achly close to hers.

I zone in on her mouth that is slightly parted, she is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. Her big brown eyes staring into me, almost waiting for my next move. I won't do anything without her go ahead, she needs to tell me this is all ok on her part before anything can happen. I also would like to think our connection isn't all lost.

"And what about Luke?"

"We can deal with your family later, I need you to know I how I feel. How I've always felt."

Wetting my bottom lip, I tilt my head forward. With one small step closer to her I can feel her body trembling. She grips her small hands onto my chest and leans in too.

"Chase, I-"

Suddenly we are pulled out of our moment when Riley's phone starts ringing in her pocket.

We both take a step back, her eyes wide as she fumbles for her phone.

"Hey Amanda, everything ok?" She clears here throat and turns her back to me while speaking.

I wander off into the kitchen and pull out a bottle of water. I need a minute to just breathe. I can't believe I told Riley everything. I wasn't sure how she was going to react once she heard everything, and I hope she doesn't see her brother differently for what he did.

I can feel our spark and I think she can too. It never left and I'm fucking praying she can give me a second chance. I have no clue what is going to happen in the future with us and our careers, but all I know is that right here right now, she is the woman I want forever. No matter where we are in the world, she will be it for me.

"Bad news."

Riley walks into the kitchen and slaps her hands down on the counter top. My brows raise at her statement, wondering what part of our perfectly thought out design has fallen through.

"The flooring is going to be delayed and two of the joiners are out with the flu."

Oh. That's not too bad.

"Ok, we will still be on track for finishing won't we?"

"That's not all. They want to add booths instead of tables to add a more expensive feel to the room."

Shit.

This will throw off all of the designs we got signed off and all the orders we placed last week. Not to mention all of Riley's hard work designing the interiors.

"Hey, we will sort this ok. Just give me a second to get dressed and we can head straight into the studio."

Riley nods as her phone pings.

"Well you better hurry." She says, glancing at her screen. "Urgent meeting in 30 minutes. Everyone to attend."

"Shit."

***

After spending all day sorting the details out, I am ready for this fucking day to be over. Normally on my mother's death anniversary I do the same thing. I call Mrs Peterson, as she was best friends with my Mom, donate to the cancer charity that helped her and me when she passed, then make her favourite dinner in remembrance to her. As I haven't had the time to go back to her memorial in Rosehill for the last few years, I was going to head there today too, seen as though I'm closer than I have been to my hometown in a while.