Page 109 of Calling the Shots

“That’s not reality, Mack. Much as I want it to be true, that won’t work.”

“Why, Gracelyn? I’ve lived like that for the last ten years. Why should anything change now?”

“Because your mother and sister have a point. You’re Ulysses Fauntleroy McIntire the third. You deserve someone better than me.” I swallow hard over the painful truth.

“Shut up. Right the fuck now. There’s no one on this Earth that’s better than you, Gracelyn. You’re sassy and funny and kind. Beautiful and caring. It’s me who doesn’t deserve you. I’m just a washed-up old football player who builds stuff for a living. Nothing great.”

“Stop.” I bat at his chest. “You’re amazing and you freaking know it. Plus, you have a trust fund.”

“That you don’t give two rips about. You love me for me and that’s what matters.”

He does have a point.

I’ve never cared too much about money. As long as I can pay my bills, I’m happy.

“So what do you say? Will you please take me back?” Mack gazes down at me, his jade eyes pleading. I debate for a long second, rational me and emotional me feuding.

“Yes. I’ll take you back.”

Mack’s face breaks into a gigantic smile, wider than I’ve ever seen, and he picks me up and twirls me around the dark living room.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I press my lips to his in a hot, slow kiss. I know we haven’t solved all our problems—and we probably never will. But for now, I’m choosing him and me and happiness.

After kissing for what seems like hours, he finally sets me down.

“You hungry?”

“Huh?”

“Are you hungry? My dad had the chef prepare a Thanksgiving dinner to go for us.”

My hand flutters to my chest. “Really?”

“Yeah. My dad’s on board with us. He really liked you.”

Well, that’s a start. “That’s so sweet. I liked him, too. How’d you get here, by the way?”

“Borrowed my dad’s Maserati.”

Of course he did.

“We can take it for a joyride later. Let’s eat. Now that I’ve got my girl back, I’m starving.”

My girl.

I could get used to the sound of that.

CHAPTER36

GRACELYN

Now that we’re back home in Thunder Creek, everything between me and Mack’s back to normal. Better than normal, in fact.

We’re together every possible minute and haven’t spent one night apart in the last two weeks. He swears he’s fine with how everything went down and doesn’t care about the family feud, but I can’t shake the bad vibes. I’m a people pleaser down to the very last fiber of my soul and I hate being the reason Mack’s not speaking with his parents.

Which he isn’t, to my knowledge. Well, his mother at least. His dad’s definitely on our side, but he’s keeping a low profile since he has to live in the same house as her. A big house, for sure, but they still share one roof.

I’m sweeping the floor of the salon after my last client of the day when the door chimes announcing a customer. My mom’s already gone—she has Mahjong on Tuesday nights with her friends—and I’m positive I don’t have another client booked. It’s too early for Mack to come around. And Sloane’s back down in Florida with Cam.

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