“I do,” Amy said. “I also remember what it was like in the end, and that’s what’s important: there was an ending. That wasn’t even the kind of break up that leaves room for a make-up. It is over, and you need to move on and stop wasting time and energy on that loser. No offense.”
“None taken,” Claire added. “It just reminds me of something Chance said this morning,” she said sadly, her head down.
“What did he say?” Amy wanted to know.
“He told me that Trent doesn’t deserve my tears, and that I am beautiful.”
“You already know that. And any man who doesn’t appreciate you is a fool,” Amy said.
“I guess.”
“Don’t lose out on future happiness because you are too busy being sad about the past, Amy.”
“Well, Chance is the past,” Claire said.
“Are you kidding me? For all the effort he put into this, do you think he would just give up like that? I know men like Chance, and they always have a game. I’m thinking he might just be bruised from his encounter with you this morning. Trust me, he’ll watch you from afar until you show him you want him.”
“I don’t know that I want him,” Claire admitted. “Or don’t want him.”
“One day at a time,” Amy said to her.
CHAPTER 10
Chance sat at the corner table watching her. She couldn’t see him now, but he could make her out perfectly. Never in his entire existence had he been so callously cast aside by a woman, and it only made him want her more. He would play it smart, though. He realized that constantly showing her he wanted her wasn’t working, so he was experimenting with something else. When their eyes had locked before, he had pretended she meant nothing to him when all he wanted to do was run over and scoop her up in his arms and kiss the lips he had been yearning for.
He had turned away but had seen how disappointed she had looked—or was it surprise? Still, he reveled in his small victory, though at present he didn’t feel like a winner. She would be at the hotel for a few more days, according to Amy, and if she left before he got through to her, he would be forced to follow her halfway across the world. Or lose her forever.
He was still brooding when Bryan walked up to the table. “What’s so interesting over there?” he asked him as he sat down.
“Hey,” he answered, but he didn’t answer his dad’s question.
Bryan looked around and smiled. “I’ve seen you with that girl. I think she is pretty. But then, you always did know how to pick ‘em.”
“Not now, Dad,” Chance grumbled. “I’m not that into her.”
“Really? I wouldn’t have guessed that based on how fixated your eyes are on that particular table.”
“There happen to be two women over there,” he said and sipped his coffee. “Anyway, what have you been up to?”
“Me? Nothing much.” He looked absently around the room.
“That’s what you call her?” he asked. “I’ve seen you sneaking out of your room like a teenager.”
“Watch it, son,” Bryan said sternly.
Chance laughed. “Every bit the player you have always been.”
“No reason to quit the game while I’m still breathing, right?” he asked. “But I kind of like this one, you know. She is different, and there comes a time when a man must stop running.”
“You’ve been running?” Chance asked.
“When was the last time you saw me serious about a woman?”
Chance thought about that for a minute. “I believe you are right. No one really since Mom died.”
“Your mom was my life, but I have to move on at some point.” He looked over at the table where Amy and Claire sat. “Besides, I have set a bad example for you.”
“Teaching me to be a player? Of course not, Dad.”
“All I’m trying to say, son, is don’t be a rolling stone like your old man. Find a woman that means something and stick to her.”
“Wait, was that actual fatherly advice?” Chance grinned. “When did you get so philosophical?”
“Yeah, don’t get used to it; I’m not so good at that,” he said and ruffled his hair. “I do need some heirs, you know. Anyway, I need to get some sleep.”
“Sleep? It’s only eight in the…oh…I see what’s happening,” Chance laughed. “Or happened.”
“Too smart for your own good,” he grinned sheepishly. “I’ll see you later.”
“You know what,” he said to his father. “I believe you just gave me an idea.”
“Uh-oh. Should I be concerned?”
“You should be proud,” he said to him and ruffled the old man’s hair when he walked past.
Chance had no intention of surrendering his game; if anything, he planned to up the ante. His stunt this morning was just to get her attention, to test how much of an effect he’d had on her. It probably wasn’t the best thing to have done, but he had to do something to get a reaction out of her. Better any reaction than a cold shoulder. Chance made sure not to look at her when he was leaving but still walked by close enough so she could see him walking by her. He smiled when he imagined what Amy and Claire would think as he hurried to his room to make preparations for what he was sure would happen soon enough.