Caught in Us (Lost 3)

"Yes. You're a talented programmer and one day, you'll have your startup, probably in healthcare."

"What?" Soft laughter escapes his lips as he sits up straight.

"You're not the only one talking to James. He is my brother, you know."

"I have no recollection whatsoever of ever telling James that. Did he say I said that?"

"Well, no. He said you are very interested in the healthcare industry and are super good at what you do—in fact, so good, he thinks you might leave his company soon and start your own. That was just he and I reading between the lines."

For a few seconds, Damon just stares at me, but then his face splits into a grin. "Dani, I think you just gave me my map. I’ll help you find yours."

"Okay," I say. His grin is so contagious I can't help laughing, too. "Where the hell are those two with our coffees?"

"Let's go check on them."

There is a ve

nding machine down the hall, and we find Hazel in front of it. She’s chatting with a guy who lives on the second floor of our building, Anthony. He's on the soccer team and hovers around Hazel whenever he gets a chance.

"Where's Chase?" I ask.

"This machine's run out of anything but watered-down cappucino, so he went to check the one in the next building." On cue, the doors open and Chase comes in carrying four cups. Damon and I hurry to him, relieving him of two of them, while Hazel and Anthony stay back, talking about Anthony's upcoming game.

Chase acknowledges Anthony with a forced smile, saying loudly, "Okay, everyone, break's over."

Hazel jumps slightly, running her hands over her arms as if she's suddenly cold. "It was nice talking to you, Anthony. I have to get back to work."

"Sure, me, too. Nothing like cramming the day before the exam. So, listen, why don't you come to my next game? It's at the end of the week. We can go grab dinner afterward."

Hazel's eyes widen, but before she manages to get one word out, Chase shoves her cup of coffee in her hand, putting an arm around her shoulders. "We still have exams next week; she'll be busy studying."

Anthony looks taken aback for a second, but then his eyes narrow on the way Chase plays with a strand of Hazel's hair.

"Well, I'll see you around, Hazel," he says.

Hazel pushes Chase away just as Anthony disappears up the stairs. "What are you doing? He was asking me out."

"Yeah...he's a soccer player, which equals dumbass," Chase replies.

"You don't know that."

Chase takes a sip of his coffee. "Everyone knows that."

"He has a point," Damon says to Hazel, then turns to Chase, "but it's still her call if she wants to go on a date with him."

Chase shrugs, drinking up again. He's trying to play it cool. It's high time for me to have a little chat with Chase.

***

My chance to corner Chase comes the next day after the presentation. I didn't do badly at all. I spot Chase sitting at a table in the cafeteria, eating a sandwich all by himself. He gulps down large bites while reading the textbook lying on the table. Since I am still wearing the red scarf from the presentation, I feel particularly bold.

"Is this how you trick everyone?" I ask as I approach him. "You tell them you don't need to study at all for exams then cram all by yourself?"

He looks up, his nonchalant expression firmly in place. "I do plenty of studying with Hazel, too."

"Glad you brought her up." I pull up a chair and sink in it without an invitation. "I want to talk to you about her."

"Oh, going all bossy on me." He slams the book shut, leaning over the table and giving me his most charming smile. "I'm all ears."