Now He’s Mr. Chase

Her brow rose. “Chase?

“My assistance said you were talking to him when she approached you.

“Oh, Bryce. I happened to bump into his dog yesterday.

Dax turned around. “You know my office number. Call me if you change your mind.” Wow! Sure, he was the mayor, but his position did not shake her.

Something was off to the way he mentioned about Chase or Bryce though, but there was no way she would satisfy her curiosity. Bryce already hated her, judging by how he just disappeared without bidding goodbye.

She couldn’t just stick her noses into his life because he almost gave her orgasm in the alley.

Gah, her dream was over!

“I’ll let you know. Thanks for inviting me.

***

Charleigh crossed the road toward the Clarity Cakeshop. She wanted to ask the cashier if she knew about Bryce. Of course, everyone knew about him, besides he was the one who suggested this cakeshop to her yesterday. This was a small town after all.

When he sent her to the Inn, she didn't bother to give her number when he didn't ask, so they ended up shaking hands. That was all, and it was extremely frustrating, but she kept the thought of their mutual understanding on the chart.

The aroma of sugar, citrus, and vanilla assaulted her senses, and she immediately drolled to taste the baked goods. She may maintain a healthy diet, she never failed to indulge herself with sweet once in a while.

“Hi, beautiful lady.” The sweet and beautiful voice of a girl caught her attention. Her twinkling blue eyes reminded her of someone.

“Hello, pretty girl. Can you help me with something?” She smiled sweetly at the girl who was still wearing a school uniform.

“Sure. Diane went out to pick up something, but my dad is in the kitchen.

“Okay. I just wanna buy cupcakes and ask you if you happen to know someone.

“Clary?” 

Charleigh stiffened to that familiar voice. Her breathing stuck in her throat.

Oh my god! Her legs were shaking as she rooted in her place. Her heart was racing with dizzying excitement, that after all, she just came to the right place.

“Clary, who’s—”

Bryce stopped dead track in the counter as soon as their gazes met. He was wearing a white apron, and his arms were dusted with flour. Sexy, yummy, and fuckably hot. Charleigh's lips spread into a wicked grin.

“Daddy, the pretty lady wanna buy cupcakes and wanna ask me something.” 

Daddy? Charleigh’s grinned disappeared. She couldn't comprehend. Did she hear it right?

Everything seemed to be nothing but hum to her ears anymore upon hearing the girl addressed Bryce as daddy. Despite that, she was sure she heard her right.

Bryce was married, and he had a girl. She was sure she chuckled. What was he doing in the bar last night and pretended he was single? Was it because she was new to town? That told her how everyone looked at them last night.

Lately, it seemed that everyone could fool her so easily. Was that how her first impression on people? So freaking naïve.

They dry-humped for god’s sake.

She almost had sex with a married man. She might be desperate to hook-up with him, but there was no way she would sleep with a married man.

Oh, my God!

“Architect Wrylee, what can I do for you?” Architect Wrylee? He did it on purpose—to get under her skin. Damn him!

“Daddy—”

“Get inside, sweetheart. Pack Grandpa a box of his favorite pies, and I’ll be there in a sec.” Bryce ran his hands on the girl’s brown locks.

“Bye, beautiful.” Clary smiled and waved at Charleigh before she ran toward the kitchen door.

She took all her strength in one single deep breath. “You’re a father and married. She's beautiful by the way. And you almost fooled me to believe that you're a freaking single, and we almost had sex. Why the hell did you invite me for a drink, Bryce?” 

He narrowed his eyes at her. “And I was about to have sex with the person who’s responsible for losing my business.

Her jaw dropped. What was he talking about?

“You don’t know how old is this building, do you? Of course, you don't care. You don’t value history because all you did is to design and modernize everything you come across. Petty.

She swallowed hard. He was accusing him of something she had no idea about. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I came here to ask the lady in that register yesterday about your number because you suddenly left before I could talk to you. Now you’re mad at—” Charleigh stopped when she realized something.

Crap! Damn, you, Tripp!

He did it on purpose not mentioning this important detail to her. She realized she was standing inside the building that soon to be, well, torn down.

She stared at him in disbelief, while Bryce was still glaring at her.

The sparks were gone. She felt the chill instead. All she could see was hatred and disgust in flashing his eyes.

She shrugged. “Look, I am just doing my job. I can’t drop this project because my promotion is at stake. I didn’t know about the project that would affect the century-old? Fifty? Or your business. I admit I don't know anything about history, but I love my country.” She didn’t know if she made any sense, but right now that the project would actually affect this town’s history and a lot of establishment, she felt bad. And she couldn’t back out because of sexual tension spiking between them like an exposed wire. “You shouldn’t blame me. I’m just an employee who follows orders. Why don’t you talk to your mayor?

“Don’t you think we haven’t tried that? We have an architect, but he refused, that’s why the mayor chose to hire outside of this town. Now if you don’t wanna buy, you may leave this shop that soon to close. Thanks to you.

Charleigh flinched at his sarcasm. “I’m so sorry about your shop.” Before she walked away, she added, “A little advice, Mr. Chase. You better take care of your family than sticking your tongue to another woman’s throat.

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