Page 66 of Caged Heat

He was quiet for a second, and my heart skipped a beat. It was the most forthcoming I’d been with my feelings. Mack had stayed true to his word and hadn’t pressured me for more than I was ready for. But I could see the toll it took on him at times to hold himself back, to keep the words he wanted to say to himself.

“I feel the same.”

My heart lifted right out of my chest at his words, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do to celebrate.

“Great. Pick me up at 6?”

“I’ll be there. I’m so proud of you. Bye, Sunshine.”

“Bye, Mack.”

Rachel glanced up when I stepped into the lobby. When she saw my face, she dropped her magazine and jumped to her feet. “Was it bad? Did they say no? Let me talk to them. I’ll tell them how dumb they are,” she said, moving past me.

Grabbing her arm, I turned her around and held her shoulders. “Easy, Killer. They offered me the job.”

She squealed, clapping her hands and drawing attention again. I loved how oblivious she was to others, not caring what they thought. It was the one thing I was proud to have passed down to her. People would believe what they wanted, so why waste time censoring yourself?

“Don’t ever change, Rach.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and led her out of the doors.

“Why would I? I’m awesome.”

“That you are.”

“What did Mom say?” she asked, climbing into the car.

“Mom?”

“I’m guessing you called her first.”

“No. Um, I called Mack.”

“Ah.” She smiled, buckled her seatbelt, and turned to me. “I don’t understand then. If you got the job, why did you look like you were about to puke? Especially if you’d just talked to Mack.”

Taking a deep breath, I looked at my sister and told her the most honest thing I’d ever said. “Because I love him. It knocked the breath from me.”

She squealed again, leaning across the console to wrap me in another hug. “I’m so happy. What did he say? Does this mean you’re getting married? Do I get to be your bridesmaid?”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down. I haven’t told him yet.”

“What? Why? Don’t break his heart!” She slapped me.

“Ow. I’m not going to break his heart. Geez. I thought you were on my side.”

“I am until it comes to Mack. He’s the sweetest. The guy has been in love with you since your birthday.”

I sputtered and pulled out onto the street. “You’re crazy. That’s the first day we got together.”

“Exactly.

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t deny her words. Mack was open with his feelings and never hid how he felt. He deserved someone willing to do the same. I’d been so scared initially, but now, I knew there wasn’t any reason to be.

“Where are we going? I thought you were going to take me to the bookstore.”

“Change of plans. I need a new dress. Something that says, ‘I’m an idiot, and I love you, too. Let’s be official.’ Think we can find something like that?” I asked, pulling into the mall.

“It’s an awfully tall order for a dress, but I’m confident we can. Let’s go!”

Giggling, I climbed out of the car and took my sister’s arm, practically skipping across the parking lot.

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