Every Girl Wants A Moon

Chapter 29: Silence

The move didn't take long.

Within an hour, my desk was upstairs, tucked into the far side of Chase's office near the massive windows that overlooked the city. I should have felt out of place—this wasn't where I was supposed to be—but the second Chase wheeled my chair into place and set my laptop on the desk, it hit me.

I wasn't here because of some company directive. I wasn't here because I had earned a promotion or because someone had decided I deserved a better seat.

I was here because Chase wanted me close.

And maybe I wanted that too.

I let out a slow breath, running my hand over the smooth surface of my desk, still trying to process it. Chase moved around the office like he had done this a thousand times, casually adjusting a few things, like this was the most natural thing in the world. Like he hadn't just completely upended what was left of the boundaries between us.

"Comfortable?" His voice was easy, light, like he wasn't at all concerned that I might be internally freaking out.

I shot him a look. "You act like I had a choice."

He smirked, leaning against his desk. "You did."

I narrowed my eyes. "Did I, though?"

Chase just shrugged, clearly unbothered. "I told you—you can be wherever you want. But I'd prefer you be up here with me."

I swallowed, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. Because for Chase, it wasn't just about proximity. It wasn't about convenience or efficiency. It was about me. About us.

I looked away, staring at my laptop screen even though I wasn't seeing anything at all. "People are going to talk."

"They already do." He didn't sound the least bit concerned. "Let them."

I frowned, tracing the edge of my desk. "I don't want people thinking I'm getting special treatment."

Chase sighed, his tone shifting from playful to serious in an instant. "Sophia."

I bit my lip, still avoiding his gaze.

"Sweet girl"

The warmth in his voice made me glance up. He was watching me, expression soft but intent, his blue eyes steady as they locked onto mine. "You earned your place here," he said quietly. "You're not here because of me. You're here because you're damn good at what you do."

I exhaled slowly, the tension in my shoulders easing just slightly.

"And if anyone has a problem with that," Chase continued, his smirk returning, "I can remind them who signs their paychecks."

I rolled my eyes, but my lips twitched. "Abusing your power already?"

"Oh, absolutely." He grinned, pushing off his desk and closing the space between us. His hand found my chair, gripping the back of it as he leaned down just enough to murmur, "But only when it comes to you."

My stomach flipped.

He was too close.

Or maybe not close enough.

I sucked in a breath, forcing myself to focus. "I actually need to get work done, you know."

"By all means," Chase said smoothly, straightening. "Don't let me distract you."

His smirk said he knew exactly what he was doing.

And damn it, it was working.

I shook my head, turning back to my computer, willing my pulse to settle. Chase might have moved my desk, but he hadn't changed everything.