I looked down, suddenly remembering how filthy we were. “Oh, crap. Did I get dirt on you?”
She waved me off. “Please. It builds character, or so they say. But Icoulduse a drink. What do y’all drink here in the country? Milk? Sweet tea?”
Chase kept his expression straight. “Yes, but how about a beer or whiskey? Of course, you’ll have to settle for a tin cup. Us pioneers don’t have glassware like you city dwellers.”
She burst out laughing. “I like you, Farmer Chase. Lead me to it.”
She linked her arm through Chase’s as we headed into the house. Jordan and I followed behind, and I had to hide my smile at the goofy grin on his face as he kept his eyes glued to her.
“I need a shower,” I commented as I pulled my shirt away from my sticky skin, grimacing at the amount of dirt on it. I looked around.
Mal waved her hands. “Go. Shoo. Don’t mind me. I’ll entertain myself, especially if you two want to get a little dirty while you get clean,” she said with a wink at me and Chase.
Chase burst out laughing while I turned as red as her car out front.
“Oh, my God. Ignore her,” I told Chase, then glared at her. “You. Sit. Drink. Keep all commentary G-rated, or I’ll see if the goats like the leather of your car.”
Her eyes lit up. “You have goats? Where? Are they in the backyard?”
I shook my head with mock exasperation and pointed to the couch. “Sit.”
She saluted. “Yes, ma’am. But we’ll circle back to the goats.” As I walked away, I heard her mumble, “Where did my quiet little friend go?
“She’s a little scary,” Chase whispered in the kitchen. “But I also see why you like her so much. Enjoy time with your friend, baby. I’ll be back later.”
He leaned in for what I thought was going to be a quick kiss, but as it often did, the moment our lips touched, it shifted into more. His hand came to the small of my back, drawing me closer, and I melted into him without a second thought. My fingers slid to the nape of his neck, holding him there just a little longer.
“Just a reminder, Iamstill here.” Mallory’s voice rang out from the next room. “Unless you want to continue. I could make a ton of money if I record it.”
Chase chuckled against my lips. “Like I said. Scary.” Hebrushed his thumb across my cheek and, with a last peck, left to go hang out with Mac and Trey.
When I returned to the living room, Mallory was sprawled across the couch, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.
“Have a good time?” she asked sweetly.
I rolled my eyes and dropped into the armchair across from her. “You’re insufferable.”
“You love it,” she said with a wink, then shifted her tone like she was flipping a switch. “So. Explainthat.” She pointed to my face. I hadn’t bothered to cover it up after my shower, so it looked a little more colorful than what she saw earlier.
After I explained the past week’s events, Mallory wanted to take a page from Cam’s book and go after Marcus with a pitchfork. Then she spilled story after story about Nashville life with her dramatic flair—the local gossip, her latest vacation plans, an over-the-top wedding she attended—while I tried to keep up. Then her golden eyes lasered in on me.
“I actually come bearing other news. Good news,” Mal said, kicking her foot idly. “I wanted to deliver it in person. But now that I’m here, I’m not sure I want to.”
That got my attention. I turned toward her, my brow lifting. “Why? What is it?”
She hesitated—rare for her—and that alone made my stomach tighten.
“Because you look good here,” she said, waving a hand around the room like it held all the proof. “Settled. Happy. And what I have might mess with that.”
I stared at her, heart picking up. “Mal. Just tell me.”
“You remember that lavender soap you sent me?”
“Of course,” I said, still confused.
“Well.” She grinned wider. “I gave a bar to a friend of mine. You might have heard of her?
“Who?”
