Page 67 of My Dearest Mackenzie

“Are you a customer of Frankie’s?” Jeremy looked toward my date as he asked the question, his narrow, beady eyes honed on Mack, evil rolling off Jeremy.

“He’s not—” I said before Mack could interrupt. “He’s most certainly not,” I double confirmed. I didn’t know what Jeremy was trying to insinuate, but I didn’t care for it.

“Frances is with me. She’s my one,” Mack said, staring down my ex.

He didn’t use the term girlfriend or plus-one or anything trite. I was his one…that was what he said. My heart raced in my chest, making me fearful it might explode.

“Take it from me, Frankie is a lot more work than advertised.” Jeremy spat out the words.

“I’m sorry, how do you two know one another?” Suddenly the thin brunette spoke, slowly catching on.

“Tell you later, Bridget.” Jeremy tried to brush his date off. I recalled him using that trick with me.

“Ex-wife,” I told Bridget, looking at her smile fall. She obviously hadn’t known Jeremy had been married. I elaborated. “Dated in high school, grew up together, young sweethearts. It didn’t work out.”

“I quite like the challenge of being with Frances. She’s exactly who I need in my life. I’m up to the task,” Mack declared. “Now, I’m a member here and I appreciate that you’re an invited guest. So please go and have fun, but maintain your distance from us.”

“I wanted—” Jeremy started to say.

“We don’t care what you want. The man asked you to make yourself scarce.” Spencer piped up from the other side of me and made a go away sign with his hand.

“Now,” Mack emphasized.

I knew my date could be ruthless, but even with his early annoyance at me, I never experienced it happening until this moment. Now, at least I understood how he became so successful. His dominance was palpable.

“Come on, Bridget,” was all Jeremy said, wrapping his arm around his date and whisking her away.

As soon as Jeremy was gone, Spencer said, “That guy is an ass. Glad you’re not with him, Frances.”

He served me a wink, and I felt a connection between us bud. Not a romantic one, something based in admiration and camaraderie—and dealing with Millsy on a regular basis.

“Let’s go, Ryan.” Spencer tapped his friend on the shoulder. “We can head up to the roof and see what kind of trouble is going on there and let Millsy be with his one.” Spencer grinned and added, “If you didn’t catch on, I like this one,” while looking at me.

Ryan nodded and off the pair went. Spencer added a touch of humor to all he said, but he was a good guy, noticing Mack wanted to be with me, and I needed a beat.

With his hand swiping my hair behind my ear, Mack said, “Do you know how beautiful you look tonight? My beautiful Frances, who kickboxed her way into my life.”

“Did you mean that? I’m your one?” I couldn’t help myself—I needed to ask like I required air to breathe.

He led me to a corner near the window, Mariah Carey now singing “O Holy Night” in the background. “Don’t you know that? You’re mine, Frances. In every way. Not one person has been able to make me fall, but you did.” His lips brushed my cheek.

“Are you sure it’s not Milly and Jimmy rubbing off on us? Some kind of strange sentiment related to them?”

“For sure,” he said, firmly. “Their story is sweet and incredibly sad, but not one bit like ours…which is stalkery, then happy, and finally very sexy.”

He whispered the last part for only me, although no one was paying attention to us other than Bridget on the other side of the room.

“It’s all you, Frances. The tiniest woman I know has accomplished the biggest task—captured me. Now, before I take you against this wall for the whole club to witness, can we leave?”

“We didn’t eat,” I fake-protested.

“We’ll send out for something at my place.”

“Deli? And then the ice cream?”

“Deli. I know how much you love a turkey, Frances. We’ll get whatever you want,” he quickly agreed.

Taking my hand, we started to leave. I could feel Jeremy’s eyes on my back and sensed him plotting in his mind. On our way to the first floor, I wondered how he would attack Mack because I knew that was coming. It wouldn’t matter, because Mack was formidable in a way I was just beginning to understand.

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