and whatnot. Olivia just happened to be at the market and yes, I stopped to talk to her. I'm not rude."
Tears sprang to her eyes. She'd run into a Sheppard, which had damned near knocked her over, she thought Chase was with someone else and now she felt the fool. What had started out as a great day had sure gone to hell in a handbasket in a nanosecond.
"I'm..." Sniffing she tucked a wayward lock of hair behind her ear and tried again. "I'm so sorry. I've thought about you so much and I miss you. I'm so self-conscious and you deserve better."
That last part came out without thought. She shocked herself for saying it. But she knew it was true.
"I deserve the person who makes my heart race and my body respond. I deserve the person I want to be with and who wants to be with me. I know this is hard right now, but it'll get better."
He stepped closer to her and she watched his jaw twitch. "I want you, LuAnn."
His lips touched hers lightly and she felt the thrill of it to her toes.
"Well, look at this."
She jumped at the man's voice and turned to see Ryder Sheppard standing at the table.
"Gunnar told me you were here, and you looked different. I had to stop and see for myself. I had no idea you two were an item."
While his voice didn't hold nearly the malice that Gunnar's had, it was tight.
"Who I'm with isn't your concern, Ryder. Seriously, let's not make this an issue."
Ryder nodded once. "I know, Chase, I'm just surprised is all. I mean, I knew you stayed in contact, I just didn't know it was this close contact."
LuAnn watched Chase's face. His eyes locked on Ryder's and while they weren't posturing as if they would fight, there was tension in the air.
"Again, the closeness of the contact is none of your concern."
Ryder nodded and took a step back. His green eyes swiveled to hers and held for a moment. Just before turning, he said, "See you at the shop."
Chase stood stock still for a time after Ryder walked away and LuAnn felt horrible. This would no doubt create extreme tension for Chase at work and that was the last thing she wanted for him.
After a few moments, Chase inhaled deeply and let it out in a whoosh. "Well, now the word is out, so no more hiding it from anyone."
"I'm so sorry, Chase."
"Nope, Lu, it actually feels like a relief. I wasn't quite sure how to bring it up without the possibility of all hell breaking loose. Even though comments will be made, and things will be different, I'm glad it's out there now."
Her head tilted back to look up into his eyes. Those gorgeous dark brown eyes framed by thick lashes, held so many things in them; his emotions flashed in his eyes as much as they did across his face. When he was tense, angry or frustrated, his jaw clenched and released. When he was happy, his eyes lightened and the creases in the corners deepened. It was wholly masculine and sometimes sensual. When he was pensive or thoughtful, he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. When he made love to her, his eyes were intense, focused, unbelievably darker and so damned sexy.
"I'm still sorry for anything that will come because of this."
His voice softened and his eyes took on that intense look as if he were memorizing her face.
"I'm not sorry at all."
He kissed her lips softly and a sound from behind her startled them both. She turned her head to see Joseph picking up the bucket he'd dropped. She smiled at Chase, "I've got to finish work here."
"I know. I've got to head back to the shop and help Gunnar and Ryder unload the signs we picked up tonight. This was just a pit stop. But a bonus that I got to see you. I didn't know you'd be working the farmers market."
She smiled. "Lily, Jan's daughter, asked me yesterday. That's why I had to work late. They were showing me all of the procedures, like which flowers to bring, where to store them, and how to cash out. I wanted to tell you I was so excited about it. It's a big deal at Forget Me Nots."
"Well, I'm glad they see the value in you, Lu. I want to see you before Saturday."
"Tomorrow?"
"It's a date."
He kissed her lightly, nodded at Joseph and walked away. Not