Under the Radar Quotes

“This sounds serious. I’ll sign a prenup if you want—you don’t have to ask.” I sat up as well and shook my head. “No prenup. I don’t care about that. This is far more personal and important.” She shifted closer, taking my hand. “Okay.” “I want to take your last name instead of you taking mine.” She blinked. “Really?” “I hate the constant explaining associated with Donner. It upsets me when the first impression someone has meeting me is that I’m from bad stock. I don’t want to deal with it anymore, and I certainly don’t want you to either. Or our kids. I looked into it, and I can change my last name as easily as you can change yours.” I swallowed. “I asked your mom last night. She was okay with it. In fact, she got a little emotional thinking we would carry on the Gallagher name with our kids. She said your dad would have approved.” “Chase Gallagher,” she said softly. “I like it.” “Me too.”
― Melanie Moreland, Under the Radar

“He met my eyes, his anxious but determined. “I’m falling in love with you, Hannah.” My breath caught. “I can’t imagine my life without you. I know it’s fast, and I know you don’t feel the same way. But I hope you do one day. I thought maybe if you knew, it would help somehow.” He shrugged. “Maybe I’m being stupid, but⁠—” I silenced him, pressing a finger on his mouth. “You aren’t stupid, Chase. I’m falling for you too. So hard.” For a moment, there was silence. I watched his eyes change. The anxiety left his expression, and joy replaced it. Wonder. A smile broke out on his face. “Really?” he whispered. I smiled back at him. “I would say I’m beyond falling.” “Say it, then, Hannah. Please say it.” “I love you.”
― Melanie Moreland, Under the Radar

“She was shaking her head, and with a lull in the music, I overheard her. “No, Dan. I said I wasn’t interested. I-I have a boyfriend.” She looked to the right, spotting me. “There he is! Chase, baby! I’m right here!” She broke away, racing to me and flinging her arms around my neck. “Please play along,” she murmured into my ear. And then, her mouth was on mine. I yanked her tight to my chest and kissed her back. I had no idea what was going on, but she wanted me to play along? Then we were playing by my rules. I kissed her with everything in me. All the frustration, want, and need I had been feeling. I licked into her mouth, tasting the flavor of the tequila lingering on her tongue and the sweetness I instinctually knew was her. She whimpered softly, meeting my onslaught with the same level of passion. It was only someone yelling, “Get a room!” that broke us apart.”
― Melanie Moreland, Under the Radar

“Laughing, I corrected the line and climbed down from the ladder, picking up the roller and finishing the wall. I headed to the kitchen to grab a drink, pausing when I overheard Hannah and her mom in her room talking quietly. “Are you sure, Hannah?” “Yes, Mom. He is just a friend. Nothing else.” “He wants more. I saw it.” “Well, he isn’t getting more. I am not ruining a good partnership for that. I like him, but I’m not interested. He’s–he’s like a brother to me. We’re friends. Nothing more.” “Is there someone else?” Hannah paused. “Yes.” I felt a wall of disappointment swamp me. I hurried to the kitchen, not wanting to hear any more. I had misread the signals. Hannah thought of me as a friend. She was affectionate and sweet. When I thought about it, she hugged and gave out cheek-kisses like they were nothing. I was the one who saw more than there was. Felt more. Unable to stay, I grabbed a bottle of water and headed outside to the deck. I looked around, thinking of how I had jumped ahead. Seen us as a couple. Entertaining. I blinked away the moisture in my eyes. What an idiot. The door opened, and Hannah stepped out onto the deck. “Hey—you okay?” “Absolutely. Just getting some fresh air. Rid my lungs of the paint.”
― Melanie Moreland, Under the Radar

“Chase leaned across the table and slid a finger under my chin, and I met his gaze. He looked upset, his eyes worried. “Are you okay, Cinnamon?” I clutched his wrist, drawing in a shaky breath. “Yeah, I’m okay.” “I’m sorry. I obviously brought up something painful.” I blinked at the wetness in my eyes. Before I could say anything, he stood, pulling me up with him and wrapping me in his arms. “I’m here, Hannah. Everything is okay.” I let him hold me. I drew strength from his solid form, his tight embrace. He smelled good. Clean and masculine, the hint of fresh-cut grass lingering.”
― Melanie Moreland, Under the Radar

“I still couldn’t believe I was going to live here. With Chase. When I had seen the handwritten advertisement in the general store, I had looked at the address, the location striking a memory. It was the cute mechanic. The one with the sad eyes. I had helped him one night in his drunken state. He had been so adorable, insisting he wasn’t trying to drive. Then he peered at me, getting far too close for it to be comfortable. Yet, with him, I was fine. “You got hit with a cinnamon truck,” he slurred a little. “Little dots ever-ry-where!” He drew out the last word into three syllables. Then he winked. “Are they everywhere, Occifer Cinnamon?” “Gallagher,” I corrected, trying not to laugh at his inappropriateness. “It’s Officer Gallagher.” “To everyone else.” He waved his hand. “To me, you’re Occifer Cinnanum. Cinnamon.” He hiccuped. “Oops.” Then he patted his chest. “Mine.” I bit back my smile. He was utterly endearing. “Can I call someone for you?” I asked. I didn’t want to throw him in the drunk tank. “You could take me home. I wouldn’t tell anyone. We could cuddle. I bet you’d be a good cuddler.”
― Melanie Moreland, Under the Radar