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snorted.
    “Look, I apologize for my behavior. I’ll get down on my knees and beg, if it would help. Please ask Duchess to play for the benefit concert.” His eyes went big and droopy, and Katie’s legs suddenly trembled.
    “Begging on your knees, huh?” Katie watched as he paled slightly. He definitely didn’t think she would call him on his bluff.
    “Well, I mean metaphorically, of course.”
    “Of course,” Katie said with a smile. She couldn’t help but hold his gaze. Something in his eyes triggered something deep inside. Something told her she could trust him. Something kept her from wanting to look away, but she fought the feeling and looked down at her feet. Putting on her best smile, she looked up, careful not to engage his eyes again. “Okay. I’ll talk to Duchess about it, but no promises.”
    “Really?” Why did he sound shocked? He must not have any faith in his dimple power. “Wow. I’ll let Amber know to call you, and you can deal with her from now on. I’ll get out of your hair, and you’ll never see me again.”
    His last statement froze her smile in place. The thought of never seeing him again suddenly left her cold. She pushed the feeling away and focused on how happy he suddenly seemed.
    “I know what you’re trying to do, Mr. Chase,” Katie said as she narrowed her eyes. “You’re trying to get me to plan the whole thing by making me angry.”
    The smile slid off his face, and Katie knew she’d guessed correctly.
    “What do you mean?” He tried for an innocent look, but she wasn’t buying it.
    “You thought you could get me mad enough to say I didn’t want to work with you so you could tell Amber you tried your best. Then you wouldn’t have to do any of the work.” The look on his face added to Katie’s triumph. “That’s not going to work with me. In fact, you’ll be expected to do half of the planning, or I will not so much as mention the concert to Duchess. Deal?”
    He blanched at her ultimatum. She nodded in satisfaction as she held out her hand.
    Why did her mother look so smug?
    “Fine.” Chase reached out and shook her hand briskly. Apparently, he’d decided not to argue for once. “But we get started right away. I’ll meet you here tomorrow morning.”
    That wouldn’t work—Shirley had a new therapy to start. “I’m a very busy person. How does next Friday sound?”
    “What’s the matter? Does Duchess have a nail appointment?” Katie opened her mouth, but her mother cut her off.
    “I’m afraid it’s my fault. I have a spa treatment tomorrow. I’m not getting any younger, you know? I have to fight the good fight.” Shirley always called her chemo and radiation treatments her “spa appointments.” Katie couldn’t help but admire her mother’s ability to tell the truth without it actually being the truth.
    His face softened as Shirley spoke. Katie couldn’t believe he was being charmed by her mother.
    “Well, I think four o’clock next Friday will work.” Chase actually winked at her mom. Katie wasn’t sure she could take anymore.
    “Good. Your first homework assignment is to find people to help with the concert. Remember, we’ll need a marketing team, set designers, and a backstage manager.”
    “How am I supposed to find these people?” He looked to Shirley right as her face lit up.
    “You can ask everyone at Veterans’ Aid to pitch in! Amber’s great at marketing—just look at how far Veterans’ Aid has come with her at the helm. And it would be good for Tommy to help with designing the sets. He needs to lose himself in work and feel useful again. You know everyone will jump at the chance to raise money for the new building.” Shirley sounded like she had it all figured out. Katie furrowed her brow at her mother’s sudden help.
    “I guess so,” Chase answered slowly.
    “Great. It’s settled!” Katie began to walk toward the door, then looked back expectantly. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Chase.”
    For a moment, Katie