Wright with Benefits (Wright Series #8) - K.A. Linde Page 0,49

but I always knew I wanted to come home. When the opportunity arose, I couldn’t say no.”

“No, of course not.”

“And I’ll be back next week.”

“Wow,” I whispered. “That’s so great.”

Something flipped in my stomach. Was this the moment? Was this when he said that after all that time he’d been away, we finally had our shot? Did I even want that? I loved him. I’d always loved him, but he’d been gone. I hadn’t thought of our promise to marry at thirty in so long. For a while, it had seemed inevitable. It was why I’d never gotten too involved with anyone, but that had been years ago. Now what?

And what about Jordan? That was just…starting. It was too much, too fast.

“I have one more thing to tell you,” Chase said.

I held my breath.

“I’m seeing someone.”

“Oh,” I whispered. My head cleared. This wasn’t…it wasn’t at all what I’d thought. “Is it…is it serious?”

Chase reached into his pocket and produced a small blue box. Tiffany & Co. written on the top. He popped it open and showed off the insane ring inside. I’d pictured this moment so many times when I was younger. When we’d been together. But now, he was showing me the ring he had gotten for someone else.

“Chase,” I managed to get out. My throat felt like it was full of cotton.

“I’m going to ask her once we move,” he said. “I wanted you to know.”

“I’m so happy for you.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded vigorously. “Of course! I want you to be happy.”

“I’m glad. I was kind of nervous to tell you.”

“Don’t be nervous with me, Chase,” I said, reaching out and taking his hand. “We’ve known each other our entire lives. You can tell me anything. I know we were together before, but that shouldn’t matter. Anyway, I’m kind of seeing someone, too.”

“Yeah?” he asked again.

I nodded. I couldn’t say this to my other friends. Could hardly say it to myself, but I was being purposefully dense by saying Jordan and I weren’t together. We’d have to figure it out, but I hadn’t gone to him last week for no reason. I hadn’t avoided a hookup for no reason. I wanted Jordan Wright. Damn it all! Who knew seeing Chase was all I needed to realize that?

“Good. I’m glad you’re happy.” He looked down to where I still clutched his hand and then back up to me. “You ever think about that pact we made?”

I laughed, pulling my hand back. “Oh God, I haven’t thought of that in years!” I lied. “What even made you think of it?”

“Oh, you know, I just always thought, one day…you and I…”

“That sort of thing only happens in fairy tales and romance novels,” I said, forcing out another laugh.

“Yeah. You’re right.” He looked down and then up at me again. “You know that I’ll always love you, right, Annie?”

I swallowed hard and nodded. “Feeling’s mutual. I want the best for you. Whether that’s a fairy-tale pact or this.” I gestured to the wedding ring. “That’s what I want for you.”

“You’re the best.”

“Now…we should introduce you to my boyfriend,” I said, tasting the word on my tongue. “He’s probably not happy.”

Chase chuckled, closing the box and standing. “If I were him, I’d want to kill me.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

But I didn’t think he was wrong.

23

Jordan

Well…fuck.

“Dude, I had no idea what I was bringing onto your doorstep,” Julian said immediately.

Ashleigh had already scampered off to get a drink. While the rest of us just stood there, cringing.

“It’s fine,” I lied.

I’d never heard of this Chase guy before in my life. He’d waltzed in and swept Annie off of her feet, literally. I was as equally confused as I was pissed off. She’d barely given me a glance before walking out of the house with him. As if that had always been her expectation.

“Maybe you should go after her,” Julian said.

I shook my head. There was no way that I was going to run after her. I was pissed off, and then if I followed, she would be pissed off. We weren’t quite on steady footing yet. This was only a maybe date since neither of us had confirmed it either way. There was still a blurry line in the sand, and barging out of here and confronting her would draw it more firmly.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said.

Sutton agreed, “Yeah, probably for the best.”

“But who is he to Annie?” Julian asked, trying his best to look out for me. “I