Page 65 of My Dearest Mackenzie

“Ha ha…”

I strode through the living area, stealing my dress on the hanger from the bag, and kicking my shoes off at the edge of the carpet. I made a pit stop in front of the tree, breathing in the fresh smell before making my way to the back of the apartment to freshen up.

“Can I at least watch?” Mack trolled behind me, barefoot and wearing joggers and a T-shirt.

“Get ready, Mackenzie.”

“Oh, when she pulls out my full name, I better listen.”

It hit a soft spot in my heart when Mack didn’t protest my using his full name like Rosie had called him. When it came to this man, more wishes built in my mind as we got dressed.

All cleaned up, Mack took our selfie in front of the fridge. I pretended to be upset over the backdrop, but it was perfect.

“How would a nice Jewish guy know where to take Christmas photos?” he said. “Also, I may or may not have a few pints of peppermint bark ice cream inside there…”

“Oh, can we forget the party and stay home?”

I turned and flung open the freezer door and sure enough there were several containers of my personal vice.

“Later, we will indulge,” Mack teased with a wink.

“Hmmmm…”

He ignored the innuendo and took my hand. “Come on, let’s get a Christmas photo.”

Mack instructed me to stand in front of the tree and quickly took a solo picture before we went to meet Alex in the car.

“What about you?” I asked.

“I’d ruin all that beauty…” He squeezed my hand and I let the moment be.

Mack had decided to join his friends at a private party at his club. Despite being labeled a Holiday Soiree, it was really a Christmas party, and in the past, Mack never felt very festive—his words. But this year he did.

“What about Teddy? When do I get to meet the only person to ever get through to you?” I asked in the car, leaning my head on Mack’s shoulder.

“I predict he’ll soon blow into town, his gorgeous wife in tow, and wine and dine you. Tonight will be more than enough with these guys.”

As we pulled in front of the refurbished warehouse on the gray-bricked road, a valet opened my door and we were ushered through an unmarked brown door. Inside, the whole place glittered and sparkled with silver and gold tinsel hanging from the ceiling, and garland dusted in glitter lining every surface.

“Welcome,” the hostess said and directed us to a lounge upstairs for cocktails.

Inside the elevator, Mack tucked me in his shoulder and kissed the side of my temple. “You’re stunning, beautiful in and out,” he whispered, taking my hand.

Tingles fizzled in my veins at the prospect of what could be—my common theme lately. I appreciated the moment even more when we exited and were in a crush of people.

“Mack!” a tall man with a blondish beard hollered.

Mack led me in that direction where I met Spencer, who apparently was clean-shaven a few weeks ago. The two guys hugged, smacking one another on the back.

“Dude, you’ve been busy, and I grew a little facial hair because I’m going skiing next week…need to stay warm and other things…” Spencer explained as he joked with his arm around Mack.

“Oh? Is that so?” Mack asked, an eyebrow raised.

“Introduce me to your lady friend,” Spencer said, turning to look at me.

“Frankie, this is Spencer…the guy who dragged me out on a date when I’d already fallen for you.”

If I wasn’t standing in a public place, I might have started to tear up. I needed to protect my heart better but these tiny truth bombs from Mack were a punch in the gut and a knife straight down the vessel pumping blood into my body.

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