Page 26 of Forget Me Not
“Wait. He showed up at your job?”
“Shit. I thought I told you that. Yeah. He was waiting by my car. I didn’t want to discuss it in front of Danny, so I agreed to meet for coffee.”
“I can’t stop you. Do me a favor, call me when you get there and when you leave. I just need to know you’re alright.”
“God. You act like Austin is a secret serial killer.”
“I just don’t like him. Humor me, please.”
“Fine. I’ll text you when I get there and call you when I’m home—so we can Face-time. Naked.”
“Jesus.”
“I’ll call you later. I gotta check in with Catherine and David before I meet him.”
I disconnected and climbed from the car. By the time I made it inside, Catherine and Danny were making pizza. David smiled and met me near the door.
“Danny said you’re meeting Austin for coffee.”
“I need to clear some things up with him, it won’t take long.”
“Maybe I should come with you. I don’t trust Austin.”
“David, I can handle him. Between you and Drake, I can’t handle all the testosterone. I promise I’ll be quick, and I’ll send you a text too.”
“Fine.” David pulled me in for a hug. “I like this Drake guy.”
“You haven’t even met him, yet.”
“Danny told me enough to know this one may be a keeper.”
“It’s new, but…” My mind conjured him up as I thought about the last time we were together. “It’s like I’ve known him my entire life—weird, right?”
“The world works in mysterious ways, Mackenzie. Just remember, sometimes you have to let go of the past to have a clear future.”
“Cryptic much?”
David sighed. “I just want you happy. You deserve it.”
“I know you do. I love you both. Give Danny a kiss for me and let Catherine know I’ll be back in an hour.”
I gave him a hug and headed out to meet Austin at the corner café. I wanted to end this nonsense with him and make it clear I wasn’t dealing with liars. Austin was standing beside the entrance waiting for me. There was no denying he was attractive, but when I looked at him now, all I could see was a man who had too many secrets. Secrets I wanted no part of—no matter how small or big they were. The sun warmed my back as I stepped onto the sidewalk and met him at the door.
“Mackenzie.” Austin stepped toward me but paused. “Thanks for coming.”
“I’m only here because I can’t have you showing up at my job anymore.” Pulling the door open, I went inside, heading straight to a table in the corner before sitting down. I shot Drake and David a quick text, letting them both know I had arrived.
“Are you texting him? The other guy?”
“What do you want, Austin?” I didn’t mean to sound so bitter, but he was truly irritating me. He had been the one to rush off after the one sexual encounter we had. Then, when he promised to make it up to us, he left me and Danny on the street. Granted, I told him to do it, but he still ditched our date. Again.
“I want to apologize.”
“Where did you go that night, Austin? Are you married or something?”
“No. I told you. I had an emergency call.”
“Right. The pileup. Funny thing, my best friend's roommate is a nurse in the ER. He was on duty the night you ditched.”
