After leaving the café, Anna turned to the man beside her and asked, "Is there a nail salon around here? I want to get my nails done."
She used to have a regular manicurist who would come to her place while she was abroad, but recently, she had removed her nail polish to give her nails a break and let her nail beds recover. Right now, she only had a thin layer of protective nail polish on.
This question left Chase stumped. He said, "I actually don't know."
"I'll find one," Anna responded.
"Let me look it up for you," he offered, but Anna playfully declined, "I'm afraid the places you choose might not be reliable."
"Don't look down on me." Chase stood by her, gazing at her flawless profile. "How about I pick one for you?"
Anna wasn't too trusting in this regard and refused, "I'll handle it." She quickly found a highly rated salon online.
"Let me see," Chase leaned over to look at her phone screen.
The sudden proximity made Anna almost feel his warmth as their heads nearly touched. His shirt brushed against her bare shoulder, sending a slight tingling sensation down her spine.
She could also smell his cologne—a mix of wood and mineral notes that felt secure, strong, and mature. She recognized the fragrance instantly.
"The cologne you're wearing smells nice," Anna commented.
"If the princess likes it, then I must have good taste," Chase said with a slight grin.
"It is quite nice," Anna nodded, "But do you know the name of this cologne?"
Chase, not understanding, asked, "What?"
Anna took the opportunity to teach him, "This one is part of the 'Three Big Bad Boy Scents,' and this one you're wearing is one of them."
"..."
Chase quickly defended himself, "Fragrance doesn't define character."
"I'm not saying anything," Anna smirked playfully, "It's just a scent I like."
Being classified as a "bad boy fragrance" only meant the scent was addictive.
Chase didn't argue further. Curious, he asked, "What are the other two called?"
"Wildlands and Azure," she replied.
Chase's expression stiffened slightly, though he quickly concealed it. Anna noticed the change and teasingly asked, "You've collected all three, haven't you?"
"Yes," he answered casually. "I think you'd like the other two as well."
His voice took on a hint of mischief. "I'll wear them next time, and let the princess take a sniff."
Anna's lashes fluttered, her face unfazed. "Alright, I'll look forward to it."
Chase studied her for a few seconds before moving his gaze away. She was bold.
He took out his car keys and unlocked the door. "Let me take you there."
Anna wasn't surprised by his offer. She had expected him to say that once she mentioned wanting to go to the nail salon.
She pretended to be polite and asked, "Won't I be taking up your time?"
Chase opened the passenger door. "It's fine."
Once in the car, Anna received a message from Rachel asking where she was and if she wanted Rachel to come meet her.
Anna replied, "I'm on my way to the nail salon, no need to come meet me."
Rachel quickly responded, "Why not? Are you with someone else?"
Knowing her best friend well, Anna glanced at the man driving.
Her gaze met his sharp nose, his slightly pursed lips, and the pronounced Adam's apple. He had a laid-back demeanor, resting both hands on the wheel, exuding a quiet but intense charm.
Chase, noticing her gaze, gave a crooked smile and teased, "Princess, if you keep staring, you're going to distract me from driving."
Anna wasn't embarrassed in the slightest. She shot back, "Aren't you a race car driver? Race car drivers need to stay focused, right? What's distracting you?"
"Are you saying my focus is lacking?" Chase chuckled softly.
Anna shook her head. "I didn't say that. You said it yourself."
The conversation was interrupted by the sound of another message notification from Rachel.
Rachel: "Where are you? Why haven't you replied?"
Anna realized she had forgotten to respond and texted back without hiding anything: "Chase is with me."
Rachel: "Ohhh, no wonder you didn't reply. Looks like someone's caught your attention."
Rachel: "He's taking you to the nail salon? Looks like things are getting interesting."
Anna's eyes curled upwards as she typed: "Exactly, it's getting interesting."
The drive to the nail salon took just over twenty minutes, and they arrived at a black Koenigsegg that smoothly parked along the curb.
Anna unbuckled her seatbelt. "Thanks for the ride. I'm here."
"No problem," Chase said, leaning slightly toward her with an amused look on his face. "But from what you said, are you trying to kick me out after dropping you off?"
Anna looked back at him, meeting his gaze with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "No way."
She tilted her head, giving him an inviting look. "Would you like to come in with me? Wait for me inside?"
Chase raised one side of his lips in a smirk, his voice oozing with playful nonchalance, "Do you want me to accompany you?"
Anna casually ran her fingers over her bag on her lap, replying with a question of her own, "Would you listen to me?"
"Of course," Chase answered, his tone firm.
Anna's fingers subtly curled in, but she managed to speak casually, "Then let's go together."
Having someone with her was better than being alone.
Anna warned him ahead of time, "It might take a while, so don't get impatient waiting."
"Do I seem like someone who has no patience?" Chase responded, slightly exasperated.
"Who knows?" Anna shrugged. "You've never waited for me before."
Chase quirked an eyebrow. "There will be plenty of chances for that in the future."
Anna stopped in her tracks for a brief moment. "I'll be looking forward to it."