Read Jealous in July (Spring River Valley Book 7) for Free Online Page A

she had a moment alone with him.
    In the meantime, though, what would it hurt to enjoy the ambiance of the enchanted garden?
    “All right, you wanted to talk strategy?” Brenda said after the waiter left them with a bottle of chilled wine and their menus. Every dish looked amazing, but she tried not to get too caught up in the panache of the place and concentrate instead on Chase’s plans.
    “Well, I figure our work for the evening is already don e. All we have to do is have a nice time, and Monday I’ll come by your desk and ask you if you enjoyed dinner. I’ll make sure Riley’s nearby when I do.”
    “That’s it? That’s your plan?”
    He shrugged. “I admit it’s subtle, but guaranteed effective.”
    “We could have just pretended we’d gone out.”
    “But that’s dishonest. You don’t want to be dishonest, do you?”
    “Isn’t making Riley think we’re interested in each other dishonest?”
    Chase sipped his wine. He didn’t meet her gaze when he replied. “There’s nothing dishonest about tonight. Here comes the waiter. I hear the salmon is fantastic.”
    Brenda wasn’t sure what to make of her “date,” but she decided to put her suspicions aside for a while and just soak up the atmosphere. The food was excellent, and once they agreed not to mention Riley anymore, the conversation turned lively and interesting.
    Chase had her laughing with stories from his adventures in plumbing as a teenager and dutifully listened to her talk about herself . She wondered if Riley would be so attentive. Maybe when he didn’t have to worry about the bar— She stopped herself. This evening wasn’t about Riley anymore; it was just about having a nice time with a charming guy.
    “So, what else do you have planned for the rest of the weekend?” he asked her over coffee and blueberry cheesecake. The candle between them had burned low, making the shadows long. Crickets sang somewhere outside the garden walls, competing with the lilting strains of the music floating from hidden speakers.
    “Besides staying cool, not much. I thought I’d catch up on my reading and stroll around the mall.”
    “My A/C works. If you wanted to come over and hang out.”
    “Thanks, but…as you may have guessed, I’m not all that exciting. A tall glass of iced tea and a good book and I’m happy.”
    “How about a m ovie? The theater will be cool.”
    “Are you asking me on another date?” She raised a brow. Why did the idea of spending more time with Chase excite her?
    “It can’t hurt the cause. Then we’d have two things to talk about on Monday.”
    She laughed. “It depends on how hot it gets. Maybe I’ll take you up on it, just to get out of the heat.”
    His eyes sparkled mischievously in the candlelight, and he raised his wine glass and clinked it against hers. “Here’s to the heat wave.”
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    After dinner, Chase brought Brenda back to her apartment. He walked her to her front door, wondering if it was the heat or his own nervous energy that had him sweating and wishing for a cool breeze or a cold shower. The night had been amazing, and Brenda looked like a dream in a gray silk camisole and slim black skirt. She’d pulled her hair up off her neck, and he’d spent much of the evening imaging his lips caressing the curve of her shoulder. He’d have given anything to kiss her goodnight, but the timing wasn’t right. He couldn’t move in yet, while she was still hung up on Riley.
    “I had a very nice time, thank you,” she said as she searched for her keys in her tiny purse. Next came the awkward moment where her posture tightened up and her smile became a question. What now?
    He stuck out his hand , and when she took it uncertainly, he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed the back of her hand.
    She giggled. “So chivalry isn’t dead after all.”
    “No, ma’am. I had a very nice time, too. And… the offer is still open for the movie. Just call me