Page 37 of Last Resort

“We wanted to come over and see how Maci was doing,” Kayleigh said. “You know, have some girl time.”

“Right.” Chance met eyes with Maci from behind the women, eyebrow raised. He was making sure she was okay with company. She knew without a doubt that if she said she wasn’t ready, he’d kick the girls out, even if it meant taking flak from his brothers for it.

His protectiveness did something to Maci. She’d never had someone care about her like that. She gave him a nod, letting him know it was okay. She knew her friends had questions, and she owed them a face-to-face talk.

He followed the women as they gathered around Maci. “Can I get you all something to drink?”

Maci hid her smile behind the blanket. Despite not having them their whole lives, Sheila Patterson had raised her boys right. The impeccable, gentlemanly manners proved it.

“No, no. We’re fine.” Tessa pointed at Maci. “We just want to talk to this one.”

He nodded. “I’ll go back to the other room and call the office. I’ll get an update on what’s been happening.”

Maci knew he’d already done that today, but appreciated him giving them time alone. “Thank you.”

As the others got comfortable, Chance disappeared into the kitchen again. When he came back, he dropped a sleeve of crackers, some ginger ale and a trashcan in arm’s reach of Maci. When she arched an eyebrow, he grimaced. “In case you start feeling sick. Need anything else?”

Well, swoon.

Aware of everyone watching them, Maci shook her head and thanked him. Chance looked her over again and leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. “Yell if these three get out of hand.”

As soon as the home office door shut behind him, all three friends started talking at the same time.

Claire let out a sigh. “I hope Luke acts like that when I eventually get pregnant.”

“That was the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen.” Kayleigh fanned herself.

Tessa crossed her arms over her chest. “So, you and Chance? You’re a sneaky one, I’ll give you that.”

Claire nodded. “We all knew you two needed to get together, but we had no idea you alreadyhad.”

Maci let out a sigh. “We were casually seeing each other a while ago.”

It wasn’t quite the truth, but it wasn’t a lie either. They had been casual, but their time had mostly been spent wrapped up in one another.

“And you aren’t anymore?” Kayleigh asked.

“I broke it off.” Even that made her cringe. She hadn’t broken it off, she’d ghosted him as much as she could with them working together. Suddenly, the half-truth didn’t feel right in her mouth. “It was just sex.”

“Not anymore,” Claire quipped, grunting when Tessa nudged her in the shin. “So, why’d you break up?”

“I’m not the type of person someone like Chance should settle down with.”

Kayleigh frowned. “Why not?”

Maci’s past rushed through her mind, fragments of moments she barely remembered. Ratty mattresses and worn-down people. Broken bottles and dark, desolate places. Bad decisions that haunted her. Most days she used them as fuel to make a better life for herself, but sometimes they served as reminders of how far she could fall.

But her friends didn’t know about her past either. “Let’s just say that my history doesn’t make me a good candidate for someone like Chance for a serious and long-term relationship.”

“Who cares about your history?” Tessa frowned. “We’ve all got a past. All that matters is right now. You’re a good person, Maci Ford. You’re hardworking and kind and loyal to a fault. Anyone would be lucky to have you, especially Chance.”

She knew Tessa was just being a good friend, but every part of Maci disagreed. Chance needed someone better at his side. Someone stronger and with far less baggage. Maci could fill an entire closet with hers.

“Did Chance demand long-term and serious?” Claire asked.

“No, but...” Maci couldn’t finish. She’d cut Chance out of her personal life before he could even get close to that point.

“No, but you were afraid he’d go there,” Kayleigh guessed.

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