“Seriously, what’s wrong with you?”
I stop once we hit the kitchen, release her arm, and turn the water on so the guys can’t hear.
“Does this have anything to do with Bridget—?”
“Shhh…they can hear you.”
“This is about Bridget—”
“No! I mean, yes. Maybe. Listen, you can’t say anything. Especially to Kip.”
“Chase, he’s my brother. I don’t lie to him.”
I scoff at her. “Says the one who had an affair with his best friend for months. How could you? He’s still not over it.”
Hannah rolls her eyes. “That’s different. And for the last time, he’s fine with it. You’re the only one who’s still bent out of shape about it. Are you secretly in love with me? Jealous?”
“Ew, no.” Hannah Banana? No way.
A humorous smile explodes across her face. “Oh my God, I’m messing with you. You’re for real weirding me out.”
“Listen, I’m not asking you to lie to him. Just don’t mention it. I don’t even know what’s going on. We just had this really great lunch date, not that it was a date, but it kind of felt like one, but…she’s great, and I like her, and she loves books and eats pie in the littlest bites, and got me to love burnt burgers, and she won’t give me her number or act like she likes me, but I think she does, and I just want to—”
Hannah slaps me.
I stare at her in shock.
“Sorry. You were really freaking me out.”
I agree.
I nod. “Thanks. It’s just…I like her.”
She stares at me for a second longer. “Hmmm…”
That doesn’t sound like a good hmmm. “I also need your help. Maybe give me her number? If you help me, I promise not to stand up at the wedding when the priest asks if anyone objects.”
She rolls her shoulders while crossing her arms over her chest. “You’d have to be invited to do that.”
“Yeah right. As if I don’t already know I’m invited. I’m a damn groomsman. Right? Wait, did he already ask the guys? Am I not invited?”
“Oh my god, I’m joking. This is bad.” She has no idea. “Okay, listen. I’ll consider keeping your secret—under one condition.”
“Anything.”
“You never call me Hannah Banana again.”
“Oh, come on. You’re asking the impossible!”
“Then no deal.”
“How about just on holidays or Tuesdays—” She pulls away. “Fine! Done.”
“One slip and I tell my brother.”
“Hannah Banana is in the past.”
She sticks her hand out, and we shake. “Okay. We have a deal.” She turns around to walk back into the living room when I call for her. “Wait, where are you going? You said you’d help me.”
“I did. She called me this morning and gave me the same weird run around about saving your soul and I gave her your number. You’re welcome.” Hannah smirks and walks off.
She asked about me.
She has my number.
I just sacrificed the best nickname for nothing.
“Dammit.”
How damn long does it take a chick to call, man? How long does it take for my balls to shrivel up? What’s happening to me? Maybe my phone’s broken. I shoot off a text to Levi.
Me: Call me real quick.
Levi: Why?
Me: Just do it, asshole.
My phone buzzes, and I answer.
“What do you need, man?” That worked. I hang up.
Two hours pass.
Me: Call me again.
Levi: So you can hang up on me again? No.
Me: *inserts middle finger emoji*
Me: Call me
Benny: Busy
Me: Stop letting your mom blow you and call me. It’s important.
My phone rings. “Bro, too far with the mom comment. Judy is a wonderful woman.”
What the fuck! I hang up. My phone works just fine. Why isn’t she calling—?
My phone buzzes in my hand. I go to hit the ignore button, but an unknown number floats across my screen.
Shit.
It’s her.
Or the fifth goddamn extended car warranty caller today.
Screw it, I’m answering. “Extended car warranty service.”
A soft breath floats across the line, and I fist pump in excitement. “Oh, sorry, wrong number—”
“No, no. Right number. Chase speaking.” Seriously, loser?
“Hey…it’s, um…Bridget.”
“Hey, how’s it going? Good? You been good?” RIP. Here lies Chase’s chill.
There’s a brief pause, and I worry she’s hung up on my pathetic ass. “Good. Great, actually. I quit my two jobs to take on that nanny position.”
“I know—I mean…wow, that’s awesome.” Why don’t you just come out and tell her you’re a creep? “Maybe we should go celebrate?”
Say yes. Say yes. Say—
“That would be great. But I was hoping you could help me out first?”
I take in a slow breath so I don’t offer myself on a platter too quickly. “Yeah, sure. I’m pretty free.” Missing: my swagger. Please return immediately if found.
“So, I was wondering, since you have such a big truck, could you help me move?”
Chapter 8
Bridget
“I won’t stand for this.” I shove another shirt into my suitcase as my father hovers behind me. “What will people think, you moving in with an older, single man with his reputation?”