Free The Promise by Kate Benson Page B

from the hardware store. I guess I could’ve been polite and pulled up to the hardware store first but I had to have some coffee. When I said as much to Chase, he laughs.
    “Understood,” he says stepping out of the truck. I’m gathering my purse and keys when my door opens and I look down to see Chase has opened it for me.
    “Uh, thanks. You didn’t have to do that,” I tell him.
    “Sure I did. I’m a S outhern boy, Sophie. I was raised to open doors for pretty ladies,” he says with a wink. I climb down and watch him shut the door.
    “I guess I’ll meet you back at the truck?” I sa y as I head toward the glorious smell of coffee. Before I can reach the door, Chase has already beaten me there.
    “I thought I’d walk w ith you, if that’s okay?”
    “Okay,” I answer, walking through the door.
    Standing in line while wait ing to place my order, I inhale the smell of the beans and let out an appreciative sigh. I hear his deep chuckle coming from beside me.
    “You really like coffee, don’t you?” Chase asks, clearly amused.
    “No, I absolutely love it,” I say honestly and laugh along with him.
    “So do you know what you’re going to have?” he asks.
    “Do I know what I’m going to have?” I scoff playfully and he laughs again at my reply. “Of course, I know! I’m getting a venti sugar-free peppermint, white chocolate Frappuccino with fat free milk and light whip, no chocolate shavings and an extra shot of espresso.” 
    “Wow!” Chase laugh s, his eyes wide. “That is extremely specific!”
    “Hey, I know what I like. Some of these people come in here and change their orders every time they come in and mix it up but not me. I find something I like and I stick with it. You know the old saying, ‘if it ain’t broke …’” I glance up to see Chase’s odd expression. “Well, my coffee ain’t broke.”
    “You ’re loyal. I like it,” Chase says with a wink as we walk up to the counter to place our order. I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. When the pretty brunette at the counter asks what she can get me, I look up from digging into the vortex that is my bag to speak to her. Before I can answer her though, I hear Chase’s voice. “We’ll take two venti sugar-free peppermint, white chocolate Frappuccino’s, both with fat free milk, light whip, no chocolate shavings and an extra shot of espresso, please.” I stare at him in disbelief. “I gotta see what this perfect coffee of yours is all about,” Chase says shooting me another wink. “Do you want anything else?”
    “ Um, no that’s it, thanks,” I say still a little surprised. Chase smiled at me and turned back to the brunette. After fumbling with the latch on my wallet, I drop it back down into my purse and raise my eyes to find the brunette’s brown ones glaring into mine. Wow, she is really attractive. She’s a little taller than me, probably about five foot seven with a petite frame, sensual curves and full lips that are perfectly glossed. She’s wearing more makeup than I ever do, but it compliments her olive tone. Although she’s still scowling at me, she is undeniably beautiful.
    “Who’s your friend, Chase?” I hear the girl say to him. If I’m not mistaken, I hear a slight twinge of jealousy in her voice.
    “Sophie, this is Lauren. Lauren, this is Sophie. Sophie is new to town, Lauren and I used to … um, we used to date,” Chase says uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck.
    “H i Lauren, it’s nice to meet you,” I say, smiling at her.
    “ Hi, Sara,” Lauren responds smugly, the fakest smile I’ve ever seen in my life spreading across her face. This girl is going to spit in my coffee, I just know it.
    “Sophie actually,” I sa y.
    “Whatever. Your coffee is ready,” Phew! She didn’t make it!
    “Thanks, Lauren,” I smiled at her. Daddy always said to ‘kill ‘em with kindness, it pisses them off.’
    “See you soon, Chase,” Lauren says, completely ignoring me.
    “ Goodbye,