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Oh. Yes. That s right. Chase mentioned running into you. She smiled as she glanced at Chase.
Thank you. Just a quick stomach bug.
Alana nodded, at a loss as to what to say from this point. It was like she d never worked with the
public or in awkward situations before.
What are you guys eating? Chandler asked, eyeing the menu like the four of them ate together all
the time.
Alana wasn t so hungry anymore.
Steak, answered Chase, alternating between staring at Alana and gaping at his brother. Hon?
Maddie blinked once. Chicken.
What about you? Chandler smiled at her, and her stupid Godforsaken heart spasmed.
She quickly glanced at the menu and went with a Cobb salad. Chandler scoffed at that, pushing for
her to order something more, so she settled on a side order of fries.
The silence at the table was interrupted when the waitress appeared and took their orders, but that
was only a slight reprieve.
Chase leaned back against the booth, folding his arms. His expression, the aloof coldness, reminded
her of Chandler. So you re staying in D.C. now?
Picking at the edge of a napkin, she nodded. I m working at Images downtown.
Oh, Maddie said. That s not too far from the Smithsonian.
Sliding a long look at Chandler, Chase arched one dark eyebrow. Have you talked to Chad yet?
Nope. Chandler picked up his glass, eyeing his brother over the rim.
Alana shifted uncomfortably, somehow forgetting until that moment that Bridget not only worked
with Maddie but was also friends with her. How in the world that had slipped her mind was beyond
her.
I have, replied Chase.
Maddie s eyes widened as she fixed her gaze on the empty plate before her, and Alana wanted to
crawl under the table.
Yeah, I know. A muscle began to tick along Chandler s jaw.
Chase met his brother s stare. Did you really think I wasn t going to tell him?
Do you think I care?
Alana closed her eyes as she inhaled a soft breath. It took no leap of logic to know that Chase was
talking about her and Chad was most likely not at all happy.
Man, after all these years, you still can surprise me. Chase shook his head. Pretty amazing
talent.
Chase, Maddie whispered.
She got Chase s dislike and discomfort with the current situation. If anything, the brothers were
hugely protective of one another. The Gamble brothers circled their wagons around one another.
When she was younger, she d liked to imagine that she had an older brother who would be that
defensive of her.
Stupid tears pricked the backs of her eyes.
Dinner was a huge mistake.
Excuse me, she murmured. I need to use the restroom.
When Chandler stood, her skin prickled as she slipped out of the booth. Forcing a smile that felt
brittle, she quickly navigated the crowded tables and headed for the restroom, her chin tipped up and
her spine straight. She knew that when gazes were cast her way, all anyone saw was a cool mask, but
inside, everything was a maelstrom.
Alana didn t belong here.
&
When Chandler had woken up Saturday night to find her gone from her bed and then asleep on the
couch downstairs, huddled into a tiny ball, he d been more than pissed. Not only had it been freaking
offensive, as if a couch were better suited than sleeping beside him, he d been confused. He knew for
a fact that Alana had enjoyed every second of what had transpired between them, and he also knew
that most women would give their ovaries to have a guy who wanted to actually sleep with them after
any type of sexual activity.
But oh no, not Alana.
She was not a typical woman.
It wasn t until late Sunday night that he realized why she had done that and why she d spent the
better part of the day avoiding him.
The woman was more skittish than a man when it came to commitment.
Not like sharing the same bed was professing undying love, but Alana had run, and like any
predator, he was provoked to give chase, to win her over, which had given him the idea to accept
Chase s invitation for dinner.
But now?
Chandler watched Alana disappear around the corner and then turned his attention to the fucker who
sat across the table from him.
Maddie blinked several times, like she was coming out of a deep sleep. That s Miss Gore? She
looks& so different with her hair down and dressed& She grimaced. Anyway, she looks like she s
my age. Never would ve thought that.
He ignored her nervous ramblings. Earmuffs, Maddie.
She scowled. What? I m not five.
Fine. He leaned forward, dropping a heavy arm on the table. You know, I expect this shit from
Chad. He has a reason to be a little piss-head.
Chad is our brother, retorted Chase. Therefore we have a reason
You don t have jack shit, Chase. She has nothing to do with you, and if I knew you were going to
sit there and act like a dick, I wouldn t have came.
Chase met his brother s glare with his own. You could ve warned us.
Why? Fucker. It s not like I m bringing a murderer to dinner with me.
No. You re just bringing the woman who made Chad s life a living hell and blackmailed Bridget
to dinner with you. He laughed harshly. My mistake.
It took everything not to smack the fucker upside his head, and the only reason he didn t was
because of Maddie. She made Chad s life a living hell by making him keep his dick in his pants for
five seconds sorry, Maddie.
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