Page 22 of The Games We Play
Penny: *inserts photo*
Penny: What about now?
Mac: You’re naughty… how am I supposed to say no when you look like that?
Ileaned back in my chair, my phone propped up on FaceTime with Theo and Aspen. We were in the middle of a battle—me trying my hardest to convince Theo to let us throw her a baby shower, and her stubbornly resisting.
Despite her protests, this was herfirstbaby, and she was going to need everything she could get.
I had plans: raffles at the library to gather supplies, inviting people from around town to pitch in, making sure Theo felt as loved as she deserved because shediddeserve it.
Seeing her smile like this, like she was right now? A real, genuine smile? It had been too damn long.
Theo found something in Rhodes—something solid, something safe. He understood her in a way no one else did. They were two people who thrived in each other’s simplicity.
It was kind of beautiful…
Aspen was at the farm stand, the glow of string lights behind her as she flitted around, the hem of her dress catching the air. Theo sat cross-legged on her bed, folding some of the cutest little onesies I’d ever seen.
Baby fever was a bitch.
I had to keep reminding myself that whenever I needed a little dose, I’d just have to steal Frankie.
“I really don’t want anything big and elaborate,” Theo said, placing a onesie down and giving us her full attention. “The gender reveal was plenty, and while I loved it, it completely wiped me out.”
She had a point. Aspen and I would handle everything, but once the dust settled, Theo would be the one left drained. And that wasn’t fair.
With a sigh, I leaned back further in my chair, holding my phone up toward the ceiling.
“Fine, fine, I get it. Nothing big, but I still?—”
A sound caught my attention. I sat up, and there was Mac, standing in the doorway of my office.
I shot him a pointed look, widening my eyes and waving him over with a sharp nod—shut the door, stay quiet.
Mac grinned, the corner of his mouth tilting up, infuriating me in the best way possible. With both hands behind his back, he obeyed and stepped closer.
My mind was pulled between the conversation going on and curiosity about what Mac was holding behind his back. With a smirk like that, I knew there wassomething.
Stopping next to me, he finally showed his hand, and my breath hitched.
A bouquet of red roses. The color vibrant, the leaves full of life and perfectly green.
I schooled my face, ignoring the way my heart stupidly flipped in my chest.
Keeping my expression neutral, I turned my focus back to the phone screen, making sure Mac stayed out of view.
I wanted to smile. Wanted to tell him how beautiful they were. But I couldn’t. Not right now.
Mac laughed silently, shaking his head before setting the bouquet across my keyboard. Then, as if he belonged there, he perched himself on the edge of my desk.
My gaze flicked to him, just for a second.
Big mistake.He looked so damn good.
That perfect mess of hair I loved, the soft Henley hanging loose on his frame, the top buttons undone just enough to reveal a sliver of his chest tattoo.
The way his sleeves were rolled up was like he was about to get down to business.
