Lost Without You: Book 2 in the Chasing Olivia Series (19 page)

“It’s my fault, Mrs. Remington. My work schedule wouldn’t allow it,” I cut in, feeling the need to cover for Chase.

“Nonsense, and please, call me Claire. Mrs. Remington is my ex-husband’s mother,” she says. “If I hadn’t been married to Chase’s father for so long, I would have changed my name back to Windsor, but Remington is the name attached to my charities.”

“Mom is still a little bitter,” Chase whispers.

“No, I’m past the bitter stage. It is what it is. Besides, I have two amazing sons that came out of my marriage. I wouldn’t change a thing.” She smiles at Chase, a radiant, I-love-my-son smile. Shifting her attention, she says, “Come, let’s go sit in the living room and chat. I want to learn all about Olivia.” Claire turns toward the family room and motions for us to sit as she takes her place on the sofa. Chase and I both sit on the loveseat, and he immediately puts his arm around my shoulders.

“So, Olivia, Chase hasn’t given me too many intricate details. Tell me a little bit about yourself.”

“My mom was a teacher, my father a city cop. He was diagnosed with cancer and passed away while I was in high school, almost eight years ago.”

“Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry.” I can tell the difference between pity and compassion, and this is definitely the latter.

“Thanks,” I mutter. “It was hard, but every day it gets a little easier.” She nods her head. “I grew up in Bohemia.”

“I love Bohemia! Such a pretty town.”

“After high school, I went to Stony Brook.” She shakes her head.

“I wish my boys would have gone to a SUNY school. Harvard is way too stuffy. But, that’s where their father went.” Her snide comment doesn’t go unnoticed. Chase shakes his head, but his lips twist up into a smile.

Smiling, I continue, “I graduated with my bachelors in Biology and my masters in Marine and Atmospheric Science. I work for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”

“That’s fantastic,” she beams. “My, Chase, she might be smarter than you.” Chase looks at Claire and his lips quirk up as he rolls his eyes, making me giggle.

“Chase is super smart,” I quip.

“Yes, he is. He was smart enough to find you.” Chase is now smiling ear to ear, and I flush from the compliment. “Now, what has my dear son told you about me?”

“Not much, really,” I admit.

“Well, I grew up in Sagaponack. To be honest, I thought all of those North Shore people were a bit snobby,” she says with a chuckle. I would have never pictured her as a South Shore girl, but Sagaponack is in the Hamptons. “I met Chase’s father when I was twenty while spending the summer at the Southampton Beach and Tennis Club. His family owned a summer home nearby, which the boys still go to occasionally. I couldn’t stand him at first, but he was persistent. Eventually, he wore me down. Once I gave him a chance, I knew he was the one for me.” That sounds awfully close to what happened with Chase and me.

“That’s so sweet,” I murmur, looking at Chase. He shoots me a smug smile, knowing I’m comparing the two relationships.

“We had Chase, and then Preston. Things were fantastic for a long time, but then it wasn’t. There is no one else to blame but Chase’s father and me.”

“No, it was all dad’s fault, and that whore he calls a wife,” Chase cuts in.

“Don’t talk negatively about your father. I taught you better than that,” Claire scolds.

“Sorry, but if it weren’t for her—”

“I don’t want to hear it. There is no proof Tiffani was in the picture while we were together.” Chase huffs his disapproval, his body tensing.

“Anyway,” Claire continues, “the past is in the past. I am happy with my life, both past and present.” She turns to look directly at me. “And, I’m happy Chase was able to find someone amazing like you.” The tension in Chase’s body slowly fades, his scowl turning into a bona-fide smile.

“Don’t scare her off, mom,” Chase teases.

“So, enough about me. Who’s hungry?” Claire stands and leads us into the dining room where the table is already set, the finest of everything on display.

“Chase told me you like French food. He also told me he gave you a cooking lesson in French food last night. So, rather than bore you, I have something else in store.”

“Whatever we’re having, I’m sure it will be delicious,” I say to Claire.

“Come, sit down.” As I sit, a lovely classical piece begins to play in the background.

“What’s playing?” I ask Chase. He listens intently for a minute, then murmurs, “Sounds like Debussy’s
Clair de lune
, but I’m not certain.”

“Chase is correct. I’m glad to see you haven’t lost your good taste in music,” Claire calls from the kitchen. Chase rolls his eyes again, causing me to giggle. It’s refreshing to see how they play off each other.

“I was forced to listen to this as a child,” he teases.

“I kind of like it,” I tease back. He shakes his head and chuckles lightly.

“Chase told me you like white, I hope this is okay,” Clair says as she comes in from the kitchen, placing a bottle of 2001 Villa Maria Clifford Bay Reserve Sauvignon Blanc on the table.

“Yes, I love sauvignon blancs. Especially New Zealand wines. They have such a smooth finish.”

“Good,” she says, reaching behind her for wine glasses and pouring one for each of us. “Dinner is just about ready,” she says as she makes her way back to the kitchen.

“Do you need any help?” I call after her.

“No, thank you. Just relax.”

As we wait, the music changes and the volume increases slightly. No longer are classical tunes playing throughout the apartment, but something more familiar. Chase glances over at me, smiling.

“I didn’t want to hear Chase whining throughout dinner, so I changed the music,” Claire mocks as she carries in a large casserole dish, placing it on the table.

“Lobster Mac-and-cheese!” I exclaim with joy. “The dish reminds me of when Chase took me to Bobby Van’s.” Chase smiles knowingly.

“I hope it lives up to your expectations,” Claire teases again.

“Looks fantastic, Mom,” Chase says chuckling, glancing over at me.

I am so full, I feel like I may burst. Not only did I have seconds, I contemplated having thirds. It was so good, Chase might have to push me out of here in a wheel barrel. As we say our goodbyes, Claire gives me a hug and Chase bends down so she can kiss him.

“Dinner was amazing, thank you again,” I say to Claire.

“Please, come back anytime. My door is always open.” With that, Chase and I head back to his apartment, where I intend to work off all the calories I ingested this evening.

After a weekend of surviving on takeout and lounging around Chase’s apartment binge watching seasons of our favorite shows, I feel more relaxed than I have in weeks. Chase tried to talk me into leaving clothes at his apartment, but I’m just not sure I’m ready to take that step in our relationship. I like where we are right now, like how comfortable and content we are, and I don’t want to take that away by moving too fast.

Work came too soon this morning and I realized just how out of routine I’ve been since getting back together with Chase. Between the traveling and staying at his apartment more frequently, I don’t feel like I’ve been to a grocery store in months. So, after work, I stop at the local Whole Foods to pick up some necessities.

I pay the cashier for my purchases, load my car up, and head home. By the time I get to my apartment, it’s a little after six. I juggle my bags in my arms to retrieve my key and swipe it on the elevator pad before putting in my floor number. Pushing my door open, an unfamiliar scent greets me. I crinkle my nose and head toward the kitchen, trying to place the smell. After setting my bags on the counter, I glance around my apartment, getting the distinct feeling someone was here, but that’s impossible. Maintenance calls before doing any work, no one can get in the building without living here, and no one besides Chase has the elevator key.

As I walk further into the apartment, the scent becomes stronger. It’s right on the tip of my tongue, and then it hits me: Evan’s cologne. It smells just like the cologne I used to buy him for Christmas every year.

I start to walk around, not understanding why my apartment smells like Evan. There’s nothing missing that I can see, but I notice things are not where they belong. Subtle things. Pictures slightly moved, pillows on the couch askew. My heart rate increases as a chill runs down my back. Something’s not right and I’m not comfortable being here alone. Before I jump to conclusions, I call Chase to make sure he wasn’t in the apartment today. He answers on the second ring.

“Hey, beautiful. How’s my girl?”

“Have you been over here at all today?” I ask, tense.

“No, why? What’s wrong?” he asks, sensing my panic.

“Maybe it’s nothing, but I feel like someone was here.”

“What makes you say that?”

“There are things out of place. Little things, and there is a lingering scent of cologne.”

“I’ll be right over,” Chase says before hanging up. I wander around the apartment, my body on high alert as I make sure nothing is missing.

A few minutes later, the door to my apartment slams, startling me. I jump, nearly bursting out of my skin, and turn back down the hallway before entering my bedroom. Walking back into the living room, I find Chase standing in the entrance, sniffing the air.

“What
is
that?” he asks, scrunching his face.

“It’s the cologne I used to buy Evan,” I whisper.

“Wait, what?”

“He couldn’t get in here, could he?” I whisper, starting to shake uncontrollably.

“No, don’t be ridiculous,” Chase says, trying to calm me. Walking toward me, he pulls me in his arms. “No one can get in here. He would have never made it past the doorman.”

“You’re right. Paul wouldn’t have let him up here. And even if he did, he doesn’t have the key, but who else could’ve been here?”

Stroking my back, he murmurs, “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Placing his finger under my chin, he lifts my head so I’m looking at him. “Why don’t you stay at my place tonight?”

He’s trying to stay calm, but I can see the stress lines around his eyes. I nod my head in agreement, even though I’m sure it wasn’t a suggestion.

“Let me throw a few things in a bag,” I say as I walk into my bedroom. Stopping dead in my tracks, my hand moves to cover my mouth as I shriek out. My underwear drawer is wide open and my panties and bras are strewn all over the bedroom.

“Liv, what hap—?” Chase comes running into the room, his question cut off when he looks around. “What the fuck?” he roars. Chase composes himself and pushes me out of the room. “C’mon. Let’s get you out of here. I’ll come back to pick up a few things later,” he says, his voice eerily calm.

“No, it’s okay. Let me pack up a few personal things, in case whoever it is decides to come back.”

“No one will be coming back.”

“I need to report this, I need to call down to the front desk,” I mutter, my mind reeling.

“Fine,” he concedes, “we’ll do it on the way out. I don’t want you here any longer than you have to be.” I pack some sentimental items, things my father gave me, along with some clothes, and exit the apartment.

Once downstairs, and after speaking with the management, Chase ushers me out of the building. I don’t remember the walk or getting up to his apartment. All I can think about is someone violated my personal space. What else is missing—what other personal, intimate things? Sitting me down on the couch, he kneels next to me so we are eye level. “Baby, stay here for a minute. I need to make a phone call.”

“Okay,” I mutter.

Pulling his phone from his pocket, he hits a few buttons.

“Derek, Chase. I have a job for you,” he commands. “I need you to do a security check on all the employees of The Exchange.”Taking a deep breath, he runs his fingers through his hair. “I don’t care,” he shouts into the phone. He listens for a minute. “Whatever it takes, get it done,” he snaps and hangs up.

Chase dials another number. “Dad, hey. I need a favor. Can you get Mitch to find out which key card accessed Olivia’s elevator for her apartment earlier today?” His voice is softer now while talking to his father. “No, she’s fine. Someone was in her apartment, though, and I need to know who.” He turns to look over at me and smiles. “Thanks, Dad. Call me as soon as you hear something.”