Page 3 of Still the One

“I’d never looked at it like that.” Charles gazes at Mac like a genuine fanboy would. Who can blame him? Mac is a spectacular woman. She still has the slim, fit body of the soccer player she used to be. Her satin-like blonde hair just touches her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes stand out. Her complexion is radiant. And that sleeveless blouse is showing off some serious muscle definition.

We used to hold our very own arm-wrestling competitions—the baker against the former athlete. Kneading-dough strength versus gym-built strength. Mac always won. Losing isn’t really her thing.

“Hello friends.” Sandra crouches next to us at our table of four. “Everything going okay?” She eyes me first, then Mac.

“Hunky-dory,” Alan says.

“Mac, I’m so sorry, but my father-in-law is absolutely dying to meet you. Could you just give him a quick hello so he can get on with his life?”

“Sure.” Mac doesn’t seem perturbed by this. Her rise to TV fame happened after we broke up. When we were together, she was still working behind the scenes. I watch her rise and follow Sandra to the family table.

“How are you feeling?” Alan asks when Mac is out of earshot.

Before I can reply, he continues. “What’s it like seeing her again?”

I huff out some air. “It’s a little overwhelming. She’s so—”

“Classy? Elegant? Charming? Hot?” Alan’s on a roll.

“Absolutely gorgeous and so down-to-earth,” Charles adds.

“Wow.” I arch up my eyebrows. “Are you both crushing on Mac now?”

“Is she single? What do you know?” Alan doesn’t even acknowledge my question.

“As much as you do.”

“I follow her on Instagram,” Charles says, “and there’s never any mention of a partner or anything like that, although that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”

“Surely Sandra knows,” Alan says. “They must still be pretty tight for Mac to come all the way to Maui for her wedding.” He taps his chin, as if we haven’t known for months that Mac would be here. But for the longest time, it was just an abstract notion in the future. Now the moment is here and we’re sharing a table with her. Mac has become very real for us—for me—again and, no matter how I twist or turn it, it’s a shock to my system.

“Don’t worry, James,” Alan says, calling me by his special nickname for me. “I’m on it. By the end of this night, I’ll know all there is to know about Mac’s personal life.” He sighs. “I can only speak for myself, but it’s so good to see her again. It’s been way too long.”

“What do you want to know?” Mac puts her hands on Alan’s shoulders and stands there beaming a smile at us. We were so wrapped up in talking about her, we stopped paying attention to where she was.

“We’re curious about you.” Alan isn’t fazed by Mac overhearing him—indiscretion is his middle name and surely Mac must remember what he’s like. “It’s only normal.”

Mac gives Alan’s shoulders a squeeze and takes her seat again. “In that case, let’s go tit for tat.”

“I’d prefer if no tits were involved.” Alan pulls a horrified face.

Mac shakes her head at him, then turns to me with a look that says ’Can you believe this guy?’

I can only respond with a shrug. Alan’s been one of my best friends for most of my life. But maybe Mac needs to reacclimatize to him a little.

“But sure,” Alan says. Although I appreciate his company and the levity it brings, I’d love to ask Mac a couple of questions in private. “Ask us anything you want, Mac.”

Instead of asking Alan a question, Mac turns to me. For a split second, I fear she might ask me how things turned out with Cherry, right here in front of my friends. But that’s not Mac’s style.

“Are you single?” she asks.

“Booyah!” Alan mimics an explosion with his fingers.

“I am,” I answer truthfully. “You?” The question naturally flows from my lips.

Mac nods.

“I don’t think we’re going to have to answer a lot of questions, babe,” Alan says to Charles. “We can just sit back and enjoy the lezzie show.” He crosses his arms over his chest, probably a little offended at not being the center of attention, and leans back.

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