Giving Chase by Lauren Dane Read Free Book Online Page B

Dee waggled her eyebrows.
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    Lauren Dane
    “Certainly doesn’t hurt that he works with his body a lot as a firefighter.”
    “I’ve contemplated setting my back deck on fire to get him over to my place,” Liv said around a mouthful of waffle.
    They all laughed at the idea of Liv in her backyard with lighter fluid and a negligee on, waiting for Matt Chase to arrive.
    “Why don’t you just ask him out?”
    “Nah, he’s the kind of guy that needs to be in the lead.”
    “Hmm, well, I’ll have to think of something to bring the two of you together,” Maggie said thoughtfully.
    “Don’t you dare mention this to Shane!” Liv actually colored at the idea.
    “Why not? Oh my god, did you just blush?”
    “Because! Jeez, I’m not desperate, Maggie! I can trap a man without having you tell Matt’s brother that I like him. That’s so eighth grade.”
    “I guess a Halloween party at my house and a game of spin the bottle is out then?”
    They all laughed at the memory of the Halloween party that Dee had at her house when they were in the ninth grade. “That was my first official French kiss. Andrew Johnson, in Dee’s mom’s broom closet. Good times,” Liv said dreamily.
    “Yeah well look what you did to him, Liv, he’s gay.” Maggie laughed.
    “Clearly you were too much woman for him and it spoiled him forever for the rest of us.
    “Seriously, Liv, I’m on it. I’m going to think of something because let me attest that a taste of Chase is worth the work.” Maggie waggled her brows suggestively and the laughter started anew.
    Across the room, Matt and Kyle Chase ate their brunch while they watched the women laughing at their table. “What do you suppose all of that is about?” Kyle couldn’t stop himself from looking at Maggie Wright.
    Damn, he liked the way she looked when she laughed. But his brother
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    Giving Chase
    liked her first and so he backed off. There were rules about this sort of thing.
    “Looks like trouble but the kind of trouble a man enjoys in the end.” Matt sipped his coffee.
    “So what did Shane say about their date last night?”
    “I haven’t seen him yet. Maggie looks pretty glowing though.” Maggie looked over and saw them. Smiling, she waved. The other two looked around and waved hello as well before huddling together, the laughter starting again.
    “Hmm.” Kyle grinned. “I do believe we’re the object of some female giggling, Matt. I think I like it.”
    “Hell, Kyle, I know I like it.” When the women left they waved again. Kyle enjoyed the view through the big front windows as the three women walked together down the street.

    Alex melted back into the doorway of the hardware store so he wouldn’t be seen. Someone had to watch over her.
    He’d wanted to get Maggie alone but she was always with her damned friends. Or with that jerk Shane Chase. Oh he’d seen the man pick up his fiancée the night before. Saw the kiss when Maggie returned. But she did not let Shane in. His Maggie was still saving herself just for him. And Shane Chase was just a momentary distraction. Alex would make sure of that.

    Olivia and Maggie decided to grab a bite at The Pumphouse before Maggie’s ice cream date with Shane.
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    Lauren Dane
    Arriving a bit early, Maggie saw Matt Chase across the street with Johnny Prentice. She gave a friendly wave hello and they returned the greeting with a few shouted hellos.
    Still smiling as she turned back toward the door, she bumped into Alex. Fear slithered through her as she realized she hadn’t even seen his approach.
    Shit . She really hadn’t wanted to deal with him that night. She’d tried to call him to arrange to see him face to face to break things off. But he hadn’t returned any of her calls. It wasn’t like she was avoiding the issue but she certainly didn’t want to have the discussion in public in the middle of the sidewalk.
    “Hi, Alex.” She gave him a wary smile, not at all liking the look on his face.
    He