Page 15 of Now That We Don't Talk

I hang back and send Katie a text.

At your parents’ house. Where are you?

“It was probably the Christmas party you hosted a few years ago,” Mac says. “My schedule has been wild these past few seasons.”

“Yes, it was the Christmas party,” Kyle interjects. “All of our friends came back to visit that year.”

“Oh right, that was a fun visit,” Mac says with a smirk.

I watch as Mac crosses his arms and leans against the counter. To his credit, he’s grown into an attractive man—I’m not blind to the obvious.

“Was it that long ago?” Laura shrieks. “You work too much. I just told Vivian the same thing.

Mac shoots a glance in my direction. “Well, I don’t have much of a choice. It comes with the job description, and my team depends on me.”

Hmm…what’s that supposed to mean?

My phone buzzes a few seconds later with a response from Katie.Almost there.

Kyle and Katie’s father joins us in the kitchen, and the Mac praise ramps up a few more levels. They are talking about some highlights from a game his team managed to win despite being down by quite a bit. Honestly, I know zero about hockey, so it all sounds foreign to me.

“We’ve decided we’re starting a Mac Evans fan club,” Addi announces.

“Think of the profits we could make,” Kyle adds. “I should’ve thought of this idea sooner.”

“Yes,” Addi agrees. “We can all contribute. Katie can do the marketing, and Vivian, you can handle the finances, right?”

Um, what?

Everyone turns to look at me, including Mac, who has an amused expression on his face.

“Um, are you being serious?” I blurt out before I can stop myself. Crap. I really need to work on thinking before I speak.

“Sorry, traffic was bad,” Katie exclaims as she rushes into the kitchen with her boyfriend Dallin trailing behind her.

Ah, thank goodness for Katie and her impeccable timing.I was going to need to do some quick thinking to pull my foot out of my mouth.

Thankfully other guests start arriving at the same time and the fan club conversation is abandoned.

“What did I miss?” Katie asks, handing me a tray of cupcakes.

“Well, not much other than we’ve been recruited to start a Mac Evans fan club.”

She frowns. “What? Who has been recruited?”

“I had the same reaction. Apparently, we’ve all been included. You’re doing the marketing, and I’ll be running the finances.”

“Katie Kat,” Mac calls, interrupting our conversation.

“Ah, look who decided to show up,” Katie announces as she gives him a hug. I need to remember he’s like a brother to her. I don’t want to put her in an awkward spot due to our mutual dislike for one another.

“Aren’t you too important and famous for the rest of us here in the suburbs?” Katie teases. “I’m surprised you’re not spending your time off on an exotic island somewhere.”

Mac rolls his eyes. “Of course I’m not too important to come back. Did Vivian give you that idea?” His eyes dart in my direction.

Wow. Is he really going there?

“Well, not one person has asked for your autograph yet,” I suggest making a sad face. “Are you going through withdrawals?”

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