Page 69 of My Dearest Mackenzie

I couldn’t do another heartbreak. I wasn’t made for this… I was built for love or nothing at all. I couldn’t take heartache.

He stole my hand and pulled me in for a kiss. I turned my head and he placed his lips on my cold cheek.

“I love you,” he whispered again.

“Merry…never mind. Happy New Year,” was the last thing I said before running inside my building, thinking it would be another Christmas—another year, a lifetime—alone for me.

He’d called my cell an hour earlier and asked me to come. And like a desperate woman, I ran right out of my apartment. He’d hurt me, yet it felt as if my next breath depended on seeing Mack. I’d been moping, crying, and using eye concealer for the last week.

Faster than I cared to admit, I’d hopped in the elevator and out the door as fresh snow started to flutter in the sky, and jumped into a taxi. It wasn’t until we were a few blocks away that I realized I was still wearing ratty gray sweatpants, a purple glitter sweater, and sparkly kitten heels.

It was the festive look I was wearing to dance all the way into next year—on my lonesome. To say I was feeling blue was an understatement.

Of course Mack was waiting for me as I exited the elevator. Standing in the hallway, barefoot and impatient as usual, spiking my heartbeat and warming my cold feet despite his domineering attitude.

“I have to show you something,” was all he said as I took two steps toward him, a small smile lifting the corners of his mouth, his gaze taking in my look.

“It’s New Year’s Eve. You know that, right? Maybe I was going to a party,” I snipped, but it was only for effect. My feet took me as far as the threshold and planted themselves firmly in his foyer as I waited for an answer.

He nodded. “I’m glad you weren’t.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Maybe I was…”

“Of course I know it’s New Year’s Eve.” He ignored my taunt. “Your glitter is cute, but I know you better than that. Those pants clued me in… Maybe you were getting ready to head out?”

This go-round, I opted for a glare. “No, I wasn’t going anywhere. A girl can wear whatever she wants to ring in the new year, by herself.”

Noting that Mack was speechless, I took in the corner view. Our tree, the one we picked together, was still standing tall in front of the window, its white and pink lights twinkling.

I had no idea what this was about or why he’d summoned me to his place…or why the heck I listened and showed up right away.

“I thought maybe you’d be at a party or in the Hamptons.” The accusation rolled off my tongue; it couldn’t be helped. Of course I’d been sitting at home, working up a sweat, waiting to open a pint of peppermint bark ice cream. I’d fully restocked on the twenty-sixth, buying every container I could fit in my freezer.

He shook his head.

“You called me over here and then you are mute? What is going on?”

I took in his black joggers, ivory thermal Henley, and bare feet. He looked sexy and scrumptious.

Yet I was utterly confused as Mack took my hand without any more words and walked me toward his bedroom. “Auld Lang Syne” played softly from the speaker in the living area.

We traversed the hallway and a shiver ran down my spine. I hadn’t been back since Christmas Eve before the fight that ensued with Susie. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel in the actual space, but I couldn’t stop my feet from moving.

Continuing in silence, Mack turned the lights on dim and led me to the bed, helping me to sit on the edge.

I was still clueless as to why Mack asked me over, but I didn’t think it was for a booty call. As two grown-ass adults, our bedroom experience was hot and fueled by feelings and passion, not for scratching an itch.

“Frances Lily Burns.” He said my full name, each syllable full of gravel and emotion. “Thank you for giving me a chance. For coming over when I asked. I knew it was a risk you wouldn’t come.”

I opened my mouth to ask a question and his finger came to my lips, motioning to stay quiet.

“Shh,” he said. “I want you to hear me when I tell you I love you. I love you, Frances, and I didn’t want to start the next year without you with me. Or any year moving forward. Ever. I wanted to say it here in a quiet place, my focus wholly on you, where there is no doubt to how I feel.”

My palms felt clammy entangled with his and he squeezed my hands, making us one.

“For the record, I didn’t want to love you. Or anyone, for that matter. And I tried my hardest not to fall for you, but it happened. Actually, I’m pretty sure I dove right off the cliff the very moment you stalked me at the mall, all vim and vigor. You could have brought me to my knees without any kickboxing. You, blond and bold, all of five foot two, bargaining for what you wanted. A hard bargain, I’ll say. You could give me a run for my money in the boardroom. And that’s one of the many reasons I love you. Your determination, dedication, boundless love, and huge heart.”

I took one of my hands out of his and ran my fingers through his thick hair, noting the smallest amount of gray along his temple. “You did say I was dogged.”

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