Page 91 of Calling the Shots

“You need me to come with you?” Her voice tips up.

“He used to get those things all the time, Gracie. He’ll be fine,” Dad says, ripping off a piece of bread and cramming the carb into his mouth.

“Okay.”

I pat Gracelyn’s arm one more time, then limp out of the dining room with Tinsley hot on my heels. She inches closer to me, our arms brushing, and I step further away. When we pass the restrooms, I anticipate her ducking in, but she doesn’t.

“Thought you had to go to the bathroom?” I jerk my head at the restroom door.

“And I thought you were giving me a signal that you wanted to talk to me.”

I shove my hand in my suit pocket, jaw tense. “No. What I want you to do is leave me the hell alone.”

“Oh, c’mon, Mack. You can’t still be upset over what happened between us.” She flips her long hair over her shoulder. “That was ages ago.”

“I’m not upset. In fact, I don’t care at all. It’s over and done with as far as I’m concerned.”

Hand tracing her collarbone, she presses in closer to me. “You can honestly say you don’t have any feelings toward me still?” She brushes her fingers over my dress shirt, trailing across my pec, and I jerk away.

“Oh, I have feelings. But they’re not positive ones.”

Tears shimmer in her eyes and her lower lip quivers. “Really? I remember all the fun we had together. The night we swam in the fountain, then you took me to your dorm and made love to me.” She feathers her hand over my forearm and my stomach roils, steak and wine and anger churning together.

“Tinsley. I’m not interested in this walk down memory lane with you. I’m not interested in you at all. I’m with Gracelyn now and I’m happy.”

Her face hardens, jaw tensing and dark eyes going cold.

“You’re making a huge mistake, Mack. How can someone like you be with someone like her?” Tinsley’s voice rises, her harsh words echoing off the high ceiling.

“Mack? You okay?”

I spin to face Gracelyn, guilt flooding through me as I back away from Tinsley.

How much did she hear?

CHAPTER30

GRACELYN

Idon’t think I’m winning Tinsley over. And I don’t think I care, either.

I thought Jamie was bad.

Turns out, Tinsley’s her even-more-evil twin.

I’m almost one-hundred percent sure she just told Mack I’m not good enough for him. Which is most likely true, but still. Rude of her to point that out.

Besides, what’s it to her? She doesn’t want him anyway.

“Hey, Gracelyn. Yes, I’m fine. Let’s go back to the table.” Mack takes my arm, looping his elbow with mine, and we practically jog back to the dining room.

“What was all that about?” I squint up at him, not sure I want to know.

“She wanted to rehash old times. I wasn’t up for it.” Mack frowns, his worry lines pronounced.

“Oh.” I want to know more, but we’re already back at the table and Mack’s pulling my chair out for me, the waiter fanning the black linen napkin over my lap.

“You good, son?” Mack’s dad asks over his fork.

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