“Healing is my useful talent.” Hugh sipped his drink, hiding his expression. “Not my only one.”
“You know, this would explain why no one ever asks Chase to walk them home twice,” Virginia said thoughtfully. “And why the women always look terribly disappointed afterwards. I just assumed he was an awful lover.”
“Evidently not,” Hugh muttered, flashing a sidelong glance at Connie.
Connie couldn't stop the blush from rising up her face again… or the hope from rising up in her heart.
Maybe it is true. Maybe Chase really hasn't played around since he met me. Maybe he can't. Maybe I really am his—
She realized that Killian was studying her. He touched her arm. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
Connie let Killian draw her a little to one side, out of earshot of the others. “Do you think it's true?” she asked him.
“I can’t say that I do.” He blew out his breath, shaking his head. “I want to think the best of my cousin, I really do, but… I know him. He’s never been able to keep it in his pants for three days, let alone three years.”
Connie's heart plummeted like her plane. “But, what if Hugh really can tell whether someone’s been chaste?”
“I’ve never heard of any sort of shifter who can do that. I think Hugh is just trying to protect his friend. Connie, you're the one who caught Chase cheating on you. You saw it with your own eyes.” Killian spread his hands, palm up. “Do you really think nothing happened? It just doesn't sound very believable to me.”
Chase said nothing happened…
But he would say that, wouldn’t he?
“You're right,” she said dully.
“Of course he's right,” said a cheerful voice. “Killian is always right. You should definitely listen to him.”
Connie spun around to see Chase grinning at them. He was a little out of breath, as if he'd been flying hard and had only just walked in.
“As long as he's only been saying nice things about me, of course.” Chase's smile faltered as he looked at her face. “Connie? What's wrong?”
“Nothing.” Connie shook him off as he tried to take her hand. “Just been talking to your friends. I hope your conversation with Sammy was more productive.”
“I got what I needed, though not everything I'd hoped for.” Chase reached out to her again, but she stepped away. “Connie, what—?”
“I don't want to talk about it.” Connie hugged herself, glaring at him. “I've wasted enough time already. What about my plane, Chase? That's all that matters. How am I going to save my plane from Sammy?”
“But—” Chase started.
“For once in your life, drop it,” Killian told him. “Seriously. What's your plan?”
Chase looked rebellious, but allowed the change of topic. “The same as before, of course. We're going to win the race in Connie's Spitfire.”
“My Spitfire is underwater, Chase,” Connie snapped. “Even if your sea dragon friend can get it out, there is no way it's flying anytime soon.”
Chase's grin reappeared. “Sammy just said West's Spitfire had to win the race. He didn't specify which one.”
Connie stared at him. “Are you seriously suggesting that we go out and buy another Spitfire?”
“Oh no.” Killian held up his hands, palm out and fingers spread. “Chase, I can't liquidate assets on a moment's notice. I don't have the ready cash for this sort of purchase.”
“Even if you did, it wouldn't do any good,” Connie told him. “You can't just buy a Spitfire off eBay. They only come up for sale once in a blue moon!”
“I know that. In fact, I know that better than you do.” Chase stuck his hands in his pockets, gazing contemplatively up at the ceiling. “Killian, you remember that money you lent me a little while ago?”
“Strangely, I do indeed remember advancing you several million pounds,” Killian said dryly. “It's the sort of thing that sticks in my memory. Why?”
Chase looked insufferably smug. “I think it's time to show you what I bought.”