Emmalee (23 page)

           
“Oh, look!  There’s poor Chase again!  Look how
awkward he looks standing next to that Hannah chick.”  She
broke away from her group and boldly walked right past me up to him. 
“I’m single tonight and I know you would much rather
dance with someone who can hold their own.”  She said the
last part with a sneer in Hannah’s direction.

           
The loser.   Elton, did tell her!  I’m gonna
kill him! 

           
“You’re right,” Chase’s voice sounded as cold
as ice.  “I would like to dance with someone who could
hold their own.  Especially around—” he choked on a
word.  I could tell it took every bit of self control to contain
his temper.  “Hannah, I know you needed a few more minutes
to talk to Em, but Carson’s here to dance with her now. 
So are ya ready?”

           
“Ready?”  I had never seen Hannah look so lost and
frail before.

           
“To dance?”

           
“Oh yes!  Let’s get out of here.”  In an
instant her stressed features turned to grateful relief. 

           
 And my heart soared!

Chapter 22

Something tells me you're sweet.

Can I have a sample?

           
Watching Chase glide Hannah across the ballroom floor nearly caused
my heart to burst! 
It’s true!
  He hated to
dance, more than I hated Elton.  And that was saying something
since I really hated Elton right then.

           
I could tell they were causing quite a stir.  I had just caught
Mrs. Anderson’s face as Carson and I whirled past.  To say
she was shocked to see Chase out on the dance floor was an
understatement—she looked like she was going to cry.

           
Dang it!  Don’t get all teary eyed or I will. 

           
Another turn and I saw Hannah.  She was absolutely wreathed in
smiles.  I had never seen her so darn giddy before. 
It’s
wonderful!  Chase is the most amazing, most awesome, most
nicest, sweetest, kindest, bestest person ever! 
I couldn’t
repay him for his kindness if I tried every day for a hundred years.

           
“Well, I’m glad to see you’re happy,” Carson
commented.  “I was afraid there for a sec that you were
going to take that girl out.”

           
“Really?” I chuckled.  Even Carson’s reminder
of Ashley’s stupidity couldn’t dampen my spirits. 
Everything was perfect in the world right then.

           
“That was really nice of Chase.”  Carson decided to
talk about the guy I was craning my neck to see.

           
I realized then that I wasn’t being the perfect partner. 
“I’m sorry,” I ruefully apologized, before looking
up and catching Chase twirl Hannah out in front of him. 
Aww.
 
He’s making this so perfect for her. 

           
Carson smirked at my expression.  He must’ve given up
trying to keep my attention again, because after that he remained
silent for the rest of the song. 

           
As soon as it was over I quickly thanked him and then made a beeline
straight for Chase, I couldn’t wait to tell him how grateful I
was.  Taylor intercepted me.

           
“Hey, Emma, you ready for our dance?”

           
Oh!
  “Uh, would you do me a favor and dance with
Hannah?  I need to talk to Chase for a minute.”

           
“Oh, okay.  Sure.  Where’s she?”

           
“Over here,” I called out behind me.  “Chase,
Hannah, wait up.”  They both stopped in the middle of the
dance floor and waited for me.  My Bradford smile beamed
brighter than it had ever beamed.  I know, because I had never
felt this good before.  Taylor was right behind me; he spoke
before I could make my tongue work.

           
“Hannah, would you mind dancing this next dance with me? 
I’ll dance with Emma later.”

           
“Oh, really?  Wow!  That’d be awesome!”

           
Her shock reminded me that she hadn’t known these guys all her
life like I had. She’d been awarded an opportunity that most
girls in Farmington would’ve gladly given their right arms
for—a chance to dance with both Anderson brothers.  And
actually, I can honestly say, no one in history has been able to
claim that fact, since Chase had never asked anyone to dance before. 
I shook my head—grinning like a complete idiot—as I
watched her follow Taylor a little ways away. 

  The next song was beginning. 
It was another slow song. 

           
When I turned to look up at Chase, to thank him, his expression left
me a little breathless again.  “Uh, I-I wanted to tell you
thank you for-for what you did for Hannah.”

           
“Aww, no worries.  I survived.”  He shrugged
and looked away as if it was no big deal, but I knew better.

           
“No really.”  I leaned over and clasped his hand in
mine. “Thank you, Chase.  I know how hard that was for
you, so thank you.”

           
His eyes seared into mine a moment before he dropped them and looked
at our hands.  Ever so slowly I felt his palm twist and his
fingers lace in between mine. 

           
I let out a faint gasp as my heart stopped.  Tiny little tingles
worked their way up to my elbow and then to the top of my shoulder. 

           
“Em?”

           
“Yeah?” My voice cracked.

           
“We’re in the middle of the dance floor.”

           
Shocked, I looked about.  There were couples dancing all around
us.  “Oh.”

           
“W-would…” he licked his lips and nervously
glanced over at Taylor.

           
I could tell he’d rather be anywhere than where we were. 
“Come on.” I tugged on his hand.  “Let’s
get you off this floor.”  He didn’t budge. 
“Chase?” 

           
Our eyes locked.  Slowly he pulled me toward him until I
was standing just inches away from his broad chest.  And then
cautiously—his eyes never leaving mine—I felt his other
hand reach over and trail unhurriedly down my arm and cradle my
fingers.  His gaze glittered a moment, testing my reaction,
before he brought my hand up and set it lightly on his shoulder. 

           
My eyes widened, but I didn’t say anything.  I couldn’t. 

           
By the time he had raised my other hand entwined with his, I felt a
strong tug pull me closer into him and I realized his arm had moved
to wrap around my waist.

           
I didn’t think.  I just reacted solely to the feel of
Chase’s arm around me.  My eyes lowered from his as I
stepped into the strength and sanctuary of his chest.  Before I
knew what had even happened, my head was resting quite comfortably on
his shoulder. 

           
I felt Chase expel a large breath of air as I snuggled closer into
him.

           
And then we were moving.  Carefully, preciously—as if I
were made of spun glass—his steps carried me away.  I
allowed my eyes to close and the sensation of Chase’s breathing
and strength to encompass me as I magically flew on a light fluffy
cloud made of moonbeams and sparkly wishes. 

           
This was where I wanted to be, always.  Within my knight’s
protective arms guiding me wherever he wanted to go.  In that
moment, I knew I trusted Chase.  I knew I needed Chase.  I
knew I—
Oh my gosh!  Do I love Chase Anderson?  Is
that what has been stopping me from falling for anyone else? 
Was he the reason why my heart wasn’t free to love, because he
had captured it years ago? 
Just as quickly as the
questions had come so had the answer.
 It was!  Holy
cow.

  I stumbled.

           
Instinctively, Chase pulled me closer and whispered, “I’m
sorry.”  --As if it was his fault. 

           
There was so much I wanted to say to him.  So many things I
needed to think about first.  But one thing was for certain, it
all made perfect sense. 
I loved Chase!
  

           
“Em?  Are you okay?”  Chase’s baritone
echoed through his chest and around my head.

           
He must’ve sensed a difference in me.  “Yes.”
I smiled into his tuxedo jacket.  “Everything’s
wonderful.” 
There couldn’t be anything more
perfect than this moment.
 

           
Chase stopped.  “Emma?”  He pulled a little
away from me.

           
Reluctantly I raised my head, but didn’t pull back.  Thank
goodness we were in a darkened spot and not the center of the floor. 
I didn’t want to leave his arms.  Instead I tugged on the
fingers Chase held.  When he released them I glided them up his
shoulder to the back of his neck.  My other hand was quick to
join and my fingers locked in place behind him.  Even in my
heels, my forehead only came to his lips.  But I wanted more
than that.  With a small push it was easy to maneuver his head
down to mine. 

           
“Em wait—!”

           
But I didn’t wait.  I wanted to know what it felt like to
kiss the guy I loved.  My lips captured his. 

           
It feels good!
 

           
Millions of miniature fireworks exploded around my ears and behind my
closed eyelids.  It was all I could do to hold on and not to
collapse in a puddle at his feet. 

           
It only took another second before Chase kissed me back. 
And
good thing too! 
For just as I was about to melt and slip
away, I felt his arms wrap around my waist and brace me up.   

           
I was lost.  I wanted more. 

           
And then it hit me
.  This was Chase.  Chase!  As
in, the way older guy who lived next door.  The really, really
successful guy who had been all over Europe.  Who had a life. 
–A life that probably didn’t revolve around me as much as
I thought.  What in the world would he think about some silly
high school senior kissing him in the middle of her mother’s
dance?
 
Ack!  What was I thinking?  No wonder
why he wanted me to wait! 

           
Mortified, and a little awkwardly, I pulled away. 

           
Chase breathed in a large gulp of air before lowering his brow to
mine.  His arms moved up from my waist to support my neck and
head from the weight of his.

           
Here it comes. 
He’s gonna tell me all about how nice
that was, but he wasn’t interested.
 
And he’ll
only say nice because he doesn’t want to hurt my feelings.
 
I braced myself and waited.  Except he didn’t say
anything.  He just breathed.  He was breathing almost as
hard as I was.  It was—

“Ethan’s a fool!”
he murmured.

           
What?
  And then his mouth devoured mine.  Just
like that.  My heart soared.  H
e didn’t tell me
anything—he’s kissing me!  Oh my gosh!  Chase
Anderson is kissing me! 

Chapter 23

You look cold.  Want me to hold
you close?

“Ahem.  Chase, your
mother wants you.”

           
We jerked apart to find Lionel Anderson staring right at us.  My
face flamed. 
Oh my gosh!  Oh my gosh!  Oh my
gosh!
  I wished the floor would swallow me up. 

           
“Are you sure, Dad?” He looked back down at me and then
over to his father to imply that now was not the time to interrupt
him. 

           
Just shoot me.  Seriously. 

           
“Son, as happy and as pleased as we are to see you out dancing
on the floor, it would probably be a good thing if you didn’t
let your Sinatra feet go to your head.  In other words, making
out with Miss Bradford in a darkened corner of the ballroom could be
a slap in the face to our very gracious hostess.  –Who I
might add is your mother’s best friend.”

           
“Are you kidding me?” hissed Chase.  “You’ve
gotta bring this up now, in front of Emma?”  He wrapped
his arm protectively around me, but the damage was done.  All I
wanted to do was get away.

           
“Thanks for the dance, Chase, you’re really good. 
Excuse me, Mr. Anderson.”  My Bradford smile beamed a
little too brightly as I shrugged off Chase’s arm and made my
escape.  I was across the room and almost out the wide double
doors before I was aware of anyone.

           
“Emma!  Wait up!”

           
It was Hannah.  “Yeah?”

           
“Hey!  Did you see me and Taylor dancing?  He’s
really good!”

           
“Really?  Uh, no, I didn’t see you guys.”

           
“Oh, that’s okay, I didn’t see you either.”

           
“Really?  You couldn’t see me and Chase? 
That’s a relief!”

           
She looked at me funny for a moment, but we were both interrupted by
Ethan, “Hey, girls!  I want you two to save me a dance,
okay?”

           
“Sure!”  Hannah was certainly in her element today.

           
“You game?” Ethan asked me.

           
 “Yeah, sure.  When?”

           
“Next slow song.”

           
“Okay.” 
Whatever.
 

           
“Hey, you don’t look that great,” Ethan observed. 
“Can I get you something?”

           
Air.  I needed air.  Nice cold Farmington winter air. 
“Nothing.  I’m fine.”
 
I
took a deep breath to steady my nerves and looked away.  My eyes
connected with my mom’s.  With one look I knew she had
definitely witnessed that kiss. 
Could this night get any
worse?  She’s so never going to let me live it down. 
Making out with a guy at her ball in front of her friends, talk about
nag fest.

           
“Are you sure you don’t need anything?” asked
a worried Hannah.

           
Ugh!
  “I’m fine, really!” 
I
just want to be left alone!