Enlightened (Red Flags) Read Online Free Page B

gave me a tight hug and lightly kissed my forehead before backing me up and looking into my eyes.
    "Are you the same Cara Pinkston?" he asked, a wicked smile spreading across his face. There was a twinkle in his eyes.  He stood mesmerized, unable to take his eyes off of me.
    "It's me.  Come on in," I replied, turning so that my hair moved briskly.
    I walked the guys into the living room and offered them a drink.  They politely declined and took a seat on the couch, making small talk while they watched TV.
    "That's quite a change, Cara.  Looks great on you."
    "Thanks, Hunter.  I have to thank your overbearing girlfriend for dragging me to the salon."
    "It’s a great fit.  Nice and fresh, I love it on you," Chase said, still staring in amazement.
    "Thanks, friend.  I happen to like it too."  I purposely threw in the word friend so that Chase would be aware that we were still in the friend zone.
    A few minutes later, Chelsea finally strolled down the stairs, looking just as beautiful as she had when I'd left her.  Hunter stood, pulled out a bouquet of flowers, and handed them to Chelsea.  How had I missed those ?  He walked over and kissed her deeply.  After a few jealous seconds brewed inside of me, I strolled over and took the flowers from her.  I walked into the kitchen to place them into a vase.  By the time I returned, they had pulled away from one another and were talking to Chase.
    "We'll be at Chateau for dinner, so if you need me, fuck off," Chelsea joked.  She laughed as she patted Hunter's shoulder.  I laughed just because it was typical Chelsea humor--nice and crude.  "What are you two doing tonight?"  Chelsea asked, her voice full of innuendo.  Chase laughed, but I interjected to get her to shut up and leave.
    "Chase is getting a tour of the place, then we are going to get our hands dirty in some greasy Gino's pizza.  Making you jealous yet?" I asked. 
    Chase and Hunter laughed, as Hunter grabbed Chelsea by the hand and led her to the front door. 
    "Have a good time you two," I called after them and heard the door close.   
    "So, you've seen the living room.  Come take a look at our kick ass kitchen," Chase's face looked equally as impressed as the first time I'd seen it.  We left the kitchen and made our way upstairs.  I made sure to point out all of the paintings and décor that Chelsea had picked up at jaw dropping prices.  He laughed and remarked that he wouldn't have expected anything less. I showed him my bedroom and on-suite bathroom, since the condo housed two master bedrooms. 
    "Quite an upgrade, huh?" he joked, referring to the living arrangements we had in our on-campus apartment. 
    "You think?  This is what happens when you unleash Chelsea Peters to find you a home," I laughed.  "Call Gino's and order a double pepperoni, extra sauce, deep dish, please?" Chase mocked surprise, but took out his cell phone and ordered the pizza as I marched us back downstairs to the living room.   
    Forty minutes later we were watching Terminator and stuffing our faces with some of the best pizza in all of San Diego.  Hanging out with Chase was always easy and I was thankful for his friendship.  I noticed that he kept looking over at me and smiling, but it wasn't that same awestruck smile he had first given me when he'd seen my new hair makeover.  Rather than allow the silence to fester between us, I finally made him spill it.
    "Why do you keep looking at me like that?" I asked, coming across blunt and leaving no room for loop holes.
    "I just think you look great, that's all," he replied, but I could tell there was more that he wanted to say. 
    I put my pizza down on my plate and wiped my mouth with my napkin.  I looked at Chase with eyes full of suspicion, although I had an idea what was running through his mind.
    "Chase, I don't need, nor do I want, your pity," I spouted.
    "What are you talking about?  I'm not giving you any pity."  I eyed him accusingly, and he relented a bit.