CHASE - Volume Three (The CHASE Series Book 3) Read Free

hearing from. I opened up my messages, navigated to the ongoing message thread I had with Alexis, and scrolled up, going back to the times when we actually talked to one another. Everything was so cute, so perfect, and I wanted it back. I smiled, my first in days, seeing her old words about how she couldn’t wait to see me and that I made her smile.
    Against my better judgment, maybe because of the messages I was reading that put me in a happy haze, I texted her. It was nothing intense, nothing regrettable, and even though I was hopeful, I had a gut feeling she wouldn’t reply. Why would she? She’d been missing in action for a long time. One random “hey, hope you’re doing well” text wasn’t going to make her jump into my arms and gallivant off into the sunset with me. I just knew it.
    Not too long after I sent it, there was a knock at my office door. I looked up, seeing Brian standing there in the doorway, peeping his head over as if he were trying to see if I was busy.
    “Come in, Brian,” I said, as I locked my phone and set it on my desk.
    “I just wanted to talk to you about something. Is it okay if I sit down?” he asked.
    “Of course. What’s wrong?” I asked.
    “Well, sir, I’m a little worried about you. I’ve seen you over the past week or so, and you’re obviously not doing well. I’m not sure if you’re sick, or if it’s a woman or family troubles, but quite frankly, I’m worried about you. A lot of us are. Others in the office have asked me if you’re doing okay. I always try to say yes, but I feel like I’m lying to them,” Brian said.
    “I’m not mad at you for asking, so I hope you don’t think I am, or that I’m annoyed. I’m not sick, and I don’t have any family problems, at least none that I know of,” I said.
    “So, is it a woman? I didn’t know you were dating anybody. I didn’t think Matthew Chase dated,” Brian said.
    “Well, Brian, things change. I was dating someone, but so far it hasn’t really worked out in my favor. I’m fine, though. I don’t want anybody to worry about me. I’ve never needed anybody to worry about me. I’m fine,” I said.
    “You sure don’t seem fine, and that’s coming from somebody who sees you all of the time. I know you almost better than you know yourself, and I know you’re lost and hurting deep down. I know you’re going home at night, sitting there by yourself, and not having much human contact besides the necessary amount you need for your job,” Brian said.
    “You seem to have me pegged, Brian. Yeah, I haven’t had as much contact lately, but it’s my choice,” I said.
    “Is it? Or is it the choice of the woman who’s making you feel this way? I think she’s the one breaking you off from everyone else. I think you need to talk to her about it,” Brian said.
    “I’ve tried, Brian. She won’t return my messages. I’ll get over it. I always do,” I said.
    “Well, that leads me to my next point. I’ve known you for years, and if there’s one thing I know Matthew Chase likes, it’s women. Lots of women. Lots of hot women. I’m going out to some clubs with some friends this weekend. There are three of them, and they’re really chill and great guys. I want you to come with,” Brian said.
    “I don’t know about that. I don’t go to clubs, and I don’t think I’m quite in the right frame of mind to go out and talk to women,” I said.
    “Just come. You don’t have to stay all night. Just give it a couple hours, and if you don’t want to talk to any women, you don’t have to. Just know that I can’t swat them away. I know how much these Los Angeles women love you,” Brian said, laughing.
    “I’m not sure,” I said, crossing my legs.
    “Just come. Trust me,” Brian said.
    “Fine,” I said, after thinking about for a few seconds. “I’ll come, but don’t expect me to stay too long.”
    “Good. I’m holding you to this, you know. You need to get out, and I’m going to make sure you get