It's Always Been You

chapter seventeen

Chase

I am so ready to spend tonight with Riley.

Having not seeing her much today at work, going from meeting to meeting, by the time I'd finished, Riley had already gone home for the day.

After leaving her place last night so she could spend time with the girls, I came back here, went to the gym with Noah and then had an early night.

Preparing the table for Riley coming over, I glance at the clock. Seeing it's already 6pm, my brows furrow, I was expecting Riley half an hour ago.

Just as I'm about to pull my phone out to give her a call, I hear a knock at the door.

"Hey Riles, I wondered where you were." I greet her by placing a kiss to her cheek.

Her soothing coconut shampoo drifts into my senses as she walks past me, shrugging off her jacket, letting me take it to hang it up.

"Sorry I'm late. The traffic was busy for a Tuesday evening." She explains, wandering into my kitchen. "It smells amazing in here."

Taking a seat at the table, she smiles over to me as I stir the pan I'm frying of chicken and vegetables.

"Work was busy today huh? I didn't see you much." I step closer to where she is sat, coming behind her and taking her in my arms.

I feel her body tense as she goes to speak, almost trying to free herself from my hold. I pull myself away and squat down, taking her beautiful face in my hands.

"Everything ok?" I ask, searching in her eyes for reassurance. I don't miss her skin is a little clammy and warmer than usual.

"I'm fine. Can we talk after dinner?"

She only just meets me eyes and gives me a small smile. I feel my throat bob loudly as I swallow, not liking the sound of this.

"You're burning up Riles, you sure you're ok?" I place the back of my hand gently on her cheek which is rosy and pink.

"Yeah, I am a little warm in here. Let me take this off."

She pulls her beige jumper over her head, revealing a tight black vest top underneath which she has tucked into her jeans. Grabbing her bag, she fumbles around in it until she comes across a hair clip. Watching her twist her dark waves up, securing them in place she releases a deep exhale.

"Much better." She states, nodding at me. Although that doesn't ease the feeling in my stomach that something isn't alright.

After placing a bowl infront of Riley a few minutes ago, I notice she has barely eaten anything, a few mouthfuls at the most. I set my cutlery down after clearing my entire bowl and take a sip of water.

"Don't tell me you don't like my cooking anymore?" I chuckle as I speak, hoping to make her laugh but she barely looks at me.

Taking a sip of water, she pushes her bowl away from her, letting me know she's finished.

"I was only joking Riles-"

"I need to talk to you about something."

My smile drops as I stare at her face, her gaze cast down to her hands in her lap.

Shit.

"You can tell me anything you know that."

"I can't do this again." Her eyes raise to look at me, tears threatening to fall down her cheeks any second.

I jump from my seat and I'm infront of her in an instant, pulling her up to stand with me. My hands cup her neck desperately. She can't be giving up on us, I'm trying so fucking hard to make her happy.