Blurred Lines 1: CHASE
Chapter 77

-Sofia-

Chase took me to the pier. The weather was ideal for an afternoon stroll. The breeze was humid, but not enough to burn my skin. Palm trees stood erect on each side of the pier, stores and restaurants dotted one side and the beach on the other. It's crowded, but Chase made it easy to navigate around.

We start off in this spot called Lola's Hut. Chase sat across from me in the outdoor booth with a huge umbrella overhead. They serve the best banana split with a mountain of vanilla ice cream. And Chase ordered a gelato with an equally delicious taste. My sweet tooth seemed contagious because Chase reached over, scooping another spoonful of my banana split.

I sipped my watermelon cooler, shuffling in my seat. There was a volleyball game happening on the beach. Even with the crowd gathered around them, we still had a good view because of the street's elevation.

I blew out a breath when the girl in a hot pink bikini smashed the ball over to the other side, earning them a deuce.

"Imagine looking that hot and having that amazing skill too," I murmured.

Chase followed my line of sight, oblivious to the heated game by the beach.

He scoffs. "I've seen you in a bra and underwear," he leaned closer so only I could hear him. "Trust me, you're hotter than any woman on this beach."

Warmth instantly spread on my cheeks. "You're only saying that because you're my boyfriend." I'm still getting used to hearing his compliments. "Remove your dress," he lifts his black tea onto his lips.

"What?" I thought I had misheard him.

"Remove your dress," he repeated. "I might need to punch a handful of men who will ogle you, but at least I could send the message to you."

I giggled. "Come on, Chase."

"Do it," he stated. "I don't make it a habit of parading you because you are not a trophy girlfriend, but I need you to know how fucking hot you are. Hotter than those volleyball players."

My heart melts from his gaze, touched by how much he adored me.

"Why do you always seem surprised when I compliment you?" He asked.

I couldn't answer him because, honestly, I always felt that he was too beautiful to be mine. Too good to be mine.

If I were ice cream, I would've already melted under his heated gaze.

I looked away, content that he saw me that way.

"I'm so full now," I said, rubbing my tummy. "Let's go for a walk?"

Chase waved at the waitress. After he paid and tipped, he reached for my hand and pulled me to his side as we walked. We paused to watch musicians singing, strumming guitars, and playing keyboards. We threw some cash into their cases and went on. We went in and out of local boutiques. I bought a few souvenirs, and when we passed by a shack with hand-painted surfboards, I bought one each for my friends and co-workers.

After an hour, we stopped by a burger stand. Chase munched down two orders while I enjoyed watching his zeal for food. I am envious of how fit he was and still able to eat like there was no tomorrow.

Next to the burger stand, I noticed a small second-hand bookstore. The store's paint was old, and the signage was beyond readable. Chase didn't protest when I dragged him inside and came out with twice the number of our bags. Thrift shops are my weakness.

He suggested we bring the bags to his car before continuing our stroll.

Our afternoon ended with Chase sitting in the sand and me nestled between his power thighs, watching the

sun dipping on the horizon.

I don't ever wanna lose this feeling. The contentment and happiness in doing simple things like walking along the pier. Doing stuff with Chase makes every moment special. Even cuddling feels different since we got together. "Chase," I said without glancing back at him. My back was pressed against his front. I could feel his heart beating as calmly as mine.

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For choosing to be with me."

He was silent for a while. I thought he wouldn't respond. Not that I was expecting him to. I just want him to know how grateful I am that he chose to leave the past behind and come to me.

He folded his arms and rested his chin on my shoulder. "I will choose you in a heartbeat every f*****g day, Sunshine."

We sat on the beach until the night blanketed the sky. Chase helped me to my feet, and once again, we walked hand in hand to where he parked his car.

At night, the beach turns into a long street party strip. We had to weave in the crowd gathered in the middle of the street, dancing over the music drifting from the street performers. They doubled in number since this afternoon. "Come on," Chase tugged me with him. We left the paved street and walked through the beachside.

"What's the hurry?" I asked when Chase started to move a little faster.

He glanced down at me, a knowing smile on his lips, but he didn't say anything.

When we reached the street again, Chase pulled me to the side where the same musicians from this afternoon played an upbeat foreign song.

"Stay here," he said. I frowned, unable to keep up with him. One moment he was in a hurry, and the next, he was chatting with the guitarist resting on the side of the makeshift stage.

They shook hands, and the Guitar guy handed Chase his guitar. He walked over to his bandmates, who had just finished the current song.

My heart drummed in my chest when the musicians cleared the stage one by one.

"What are you doing?" I mouthed when Chase climbed up the stage and sat on the stool. The guitar guy fixed the microphone stand until it was leveled with Chase's sitting height.

My boyfriend merely smirked and eyed the crowd. "This song goes for my amazing girlfriend, Sofia," he gestured to me.

Someone pushed me forward until I was in front of the small circle around the stage.

"I love you, babe," he murmured without preamble, taking my breath away. Ohh, and aww, erupted from the crowd, and some started to pull out their phones.

I prevented the urge to cover my face, wanting to see everything unfold. Chase started to strum his guitar, and a familiar tune drifted into the air. It was the song we used to sing in his room, the song I dedicated to him when my feelings were still mine to keep. The lyrics speak of my secret love for my older brother's best friend, of my longing to be with him, yet unable to tell what I truly felt..

[Song: The Closer I Get to You by Roberta Flack]

I was in tears when the song ended, lost in Chase's piercing blue gaze. The rain of applause woke me up from walking down memory lane. I wiped my tears and gave Chase his well-deserved praise.

I climbed onto the stage, cupped his face, and kissed him lovingly. I don't mind people recording this intimate moment. I want to let the world know that I am madly in love with this amazing man as well.

Chase held my waist as he stood and deepened our kiss.

He set the guitar against the stool. I thought we'd already be walking off the stage, but he pulled me back, bending on one knee.

"Chase..." I covered my mouth, unable to hold back my emotions.

He smiled and reached for my left hand. "Sofia, earlier, you thanked me for choosing to be with you." He pulled out a velvet box from his pocket. My eyes were blurry. I couldn't focus on anything, even if my life depended on it.

"Now I'm asking you to choose to be with me for the rest of your life." Inside the box, he pulled out a diamond ring. It catches the lights of the street and the stars above us. "Will you marry me?"

My throat was tight with emotions. I could only nod and bend at the waist to kiss him.

"Is that a yes?" Chase asked, needing to hear me say the words out loud.

"Yes," I nodded. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

My feet were suddenly off the ground, and my world spun, literally. Some sentences are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on FindNovel.net. Visit FindNovel.net to read the complete chapters for free. When Chase put me down, he slid the diamond ring on my left finger and crushed our mouths together, as per the crowd's request.

"Thank you, everyone," Chase thanked the crowd melodramatically, drawing me to his side. "That's done. Now I get to make love to my fiancee."

"Chase!" I slapped a hand over his chest, and laughter erupted around us.

"I love you, babe," he winked at me.