Read Online Take Three by Karen Kingsbury - Free Book Online Page A

and bowed their heads. This time the profound nature of the moment spilled into their prayer and they went on for ten minutes while each of them took turns praising God for His direction and wisdom, and thanking Him for the premiere and the way it was received, and the way it was already working to change lives for His glory, and finally for the deal with American Pictures and the breakthrough with Brandon Paul and their next film.
    As they finally climbed into the waiting limo and drove across town to their hotel, Chase was positive he’d never felt like this before. He wasn’t tired, and when Kendall asked him if he wanted to join her for a cup of coffee in the lobby, he agreed before he could remember a single reason why he shouldn’t. Keith and Lisa went off to their room, and Luke to his—clearly assuming everyone was turning in, and Kendall’s father set off for home.
    And like that, Chase and Kendall were alone.
    They chose a table tucked into the corner of the lobby, near a roaring fire and out of sight from the main traffic at the front desk. She put her elbows on the table and leaned in close, her eyes imploring him. “Before we talk, I need to apologize.” She held his gaze. “That was awkward, on the red carpet. People thinking we were…you know, married.” She rushed ahead, her voice rich with regret. “I had no idea…I mean, I would’ve walked five feet behind you if I’d known.”
    She seemed anxious for him to find her innocent in the situation, and Chase did so immediately. He clasped his hands around hers and squeezed gently before letting go. “Don’t worry about it. You did nothing wrong.”
    Her remorse eased a bit, and something in her eyes made him feel uneasy. Did her expression hold a hint of desire, or were his own feelings shading the way she came across in a moment like this?
    “Still.” She blinked, and the desire—if there’d been desire—was gone completely. “It was awkward, and I apologize. Please tell Kelly it was one of those crazy moments. Neither of us meant anything by it.”
    Again Chase swallowed hard, and he moved his hands out onto the table again. For the next half hour he forgot about his promise to call Kelly. Instead, he and Kendall replayed every moment of the amazing night, the red carpet and the premiere, the reaction from the audience, and the telltale questions that followed. Through it all, their hands touched at times, and once their faces were so close Chase could imagine kissing her. He didn’t want the moment to end. This was only the beginning, right? The start of all they would accomplish together as a team—Keith and him and Kendall and Ben. Luke working out the details.
    Finally, she blinked twice, as if she was only just realizing how they might’ve looked together, how they’d been acting. She blinked twice and withdrew her hands to her lap. The color in her cheeks deepened. “Chase. I didn’t only want to talk about the premiere…or Brandon Paul.” She looked away, as if the eye contact between them had become too much for her.
    Only then did Chase notice that her fingers were trembling. She looked up and her eyes were deep with agony. Whatever was coming, it wasn’t good. He felt his heart skip a beat and then pound into a faster rhythm.
    Kendall lifted her eyes. “My dad asked me something tonight that shocked me. He wanted to know if I was falling for you.”
    “What?” Chase’s heart slammed against his chest and he felt suddenly clammy. Had things between them become so obvious that Ben had picked up on it? When neither of them had evenhinted at the possibility until tonight? “I can apologize to him if he thinks—”
    “Chase.” She peered at him through teary eyes, her heart clearly anguished. “I’m finished with Jeremiah Productions. I’ve loved every minute, but now…my dad made it clear tonight. I need to move on. There’s too much at stake.”
    “You can’t quit.” He rose halfway out of his seat, shocked