Page 22 of The Fun Part
I close the distance with a soft kiss to prove him wrong. His hand tangles in my hair, drawing me close as his mouth slants over mine, claiming me. My fingers clutch at his coat, my body swaying close, needing more. Oh God, I missed this.
A siren goes off in the distance, bringing me back to reality. I drop my hold on him, taking a moment to catch my breath. “I felt nothing.”
“Right. Same.”
“We should get back to the meeting.” Just as soon as my legs stop wobbling.
He tips my chin up. “Bye, Mackenzie.” Is that longing in his tone?
I start walking in the opposite direction, telling myself I’m doing the right thing. I walk around the block once, twice. I can’t walk in with him.
When I get back to the meeting, everyone’s packing up. I stand there in a daze. Cal’s not here. Is that it? Goodbye forever?
Mom gives me a look of concern. “Are you okay?”
I blink. “Fine. What did we decide on?”
“We’re using the state flower as a theme, so now it’s the Mountain Laurel Festival hosted by Clover Park. We’re having a bulb and flowers sale. I expect we’ll draw gardeners from all over the state. They asked if you could contact some master gardeners and the agricultural extension. I’ll email you the list.”
“Great,” I say, turning to go.
“Spring’s the time for new beginnings,” she says.
Cal’s deep voice echoes in my mind.The fun part’s just beginning.
I force a neutral expression, though I’m dying to find Cal and ask him exactly what he meant by that. Friends with benefits or something more? I was too rattled in the moment to even consider what he was proposing. I turn back and wave bye to Mom.
“And spring’s right around the corner,” Mom chirps, giving me a sweet smile.
She’s definitely acting weird.
Cal
I’m not sure why I’m at Happy Endings bar for Ally’s bon voyage party. Ally is Hailey’s former business partner, and she’s about to cruise around the world with her husband. I mean, sure, Hailey invited me for networking reasons, but I’ve already been to a couple of these networking events, and I do have a small client list from Gabe. It’s a whole lot of Mackenzie’s family and honorary family here.
Truth is, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that kiss two days ago. She’s not here. What the hell am I doing? Longing for a woman when I know it’ll end with her getting hurt. I’m not cut out for relationships, and she was very clear she only wanted casual. But does that mean casual has to end so soon?
This is a mutual hang-up. Once we get each other out of our systems, I’ll get back to work mode, and she can do the same.
There’s a few tables full of appetizers and a bon voyage sheet cake with a cruise ship made of sugar. I’ll stay until they cut the cake, and this will be the last invite from Hailey I accept. Too many reminders of—
Mackenzie. The blood rushes through my veins. All the sights and sounds of the party fade into the background. She’s smilingher warm smile as she talks to one of her many cousins and takes off her coat.
Her long brown hair is a soft wave over her shoulders, her skin glowing, her lips lush and pink. Her clothes match her personality—a soft fuzzy pink sweater with leather pants. Soft and sweet but tough. Strong. So sexy.
I lift a hand in a casual greeting, which she doesn’t see. Another of her many cousins steps in front of her. I can’t keep track of this family. There’s biological and honorary aunts, uncles, and cousins along with two younger brothers. You’d think it would be easy to pick out who was who, but there’s a lot of family resemblance going on with her dad and uncle being identical twins.
My gaze follows her as she greets people. Our nights together were a thrill right up there with a home run. Just seeing her gets my adrenaline going, like I’m up to bat, all eyes on me. The anticipation—will it be the thrill of a hit, or the whoosh of a swing and miss?
It is not one-sided. That kiss made her melt into me. I run a hand through my hair. What will it take to get her out of my system?
She’s at the bar now. The bartender smiles and jokes with her. That’s Cooper, her younger brother and heir apparent to the Happy Endings bar. I weave my way through the crowd to her.
I’m nearly there when a man blocks my way. I didn’t even hear him coming. Stealth mode. It’s Mackenzie’s dad, Josh. His dark hair is rumpled, dress casual, but his stance is anything but. The man looks lethal. Didn’t Hailey mention something about Josh being a paratrooper in the Army? Those guys are trained in hand-to-hand combat.
“How’s it going?” he asks.
I straighten my spine. “Good.” I can’t help it; I glance over his shoulder as Mackenzie greets someone with a hug.
