Chapter 5 - Now He's Mr Chase

• Charleigh’s brow rose at Dax’s inquisitive tone. “Chase?”
• “My assistant 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 with the way he mentioned 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 nose into his life because he almost gave her an 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, aside from the fact that he was the one who suggested this cake shop to her yesterday. This was a small town after all.
• When he sent her to the Inn, she didn’t bother to give her 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 drooled to taste the baked goods. She may maintain a healthy diet, but she never fails to indulge herself with sweets and pastries 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.“
• “You’re new in town?“
• “Yeah. 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’s back stiffened at 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, and after all, she just came to the right place.
• “Clary, who’s—” Bryce stopped dead tracks at the counter as soon as their gazes locked. 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 grin disappeared. She couldn’t comprehend. Did she hear it right? Definitely.
• Everything seemed to be nothing but hum to her ears upon hearing the girl call Bryce daddy. Despite that, she was pretty sure it wasn’t a trick.
• Bryce was married, and he had a girl. She was sure she chuckled. Bitterly, What was he doing in the bar last night and pretending he was single? Was it because she was new to town? That explained how everyone looked at them last night.
• Lately, it seemed that everyone could fool her so easily. Was she that gullible? Was that how her first impression from people? So freaking naïve.
• They dry-humped, for God’s sake.
• She almost had sex with a married man. She might be desperate for a hook-up, 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 through 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 into believing that you’re 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 do is design and modernize everything around you. Petty.”
• She swallowed hard. He was accusing her 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 I met yesterday for 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 by not mentioning the crucial detail to her. She realized she was standing inside the building that was soon to be— well, torn down.
• She stared at him in disbelief while Bryce still gave her an unrelenting glare.
• The sparks were gone. She felt the chill instead. All she could see was hatred and disgust flashing in 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 it, 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 establishments, she felt terrible. 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 hadn’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 something, you may leave this shop that is soon to be closed. 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 stick your tongue into another woman’s throat.”