Page 74 of Street of Dreams
He had been in such a rush to get to Chicago. He thought he’d seek out Jake the moment he stepped off the plane, but he was stalling. Partly, because he feared a repeat of what happened with Bruce. He knew Jake wasn’t exaggerating when he said it was dangerous for them to be together, which, he realized, was another reason he didn’t want to return to South Side. He knew he wouldn’t be able to stay away from Jake. He wasn’t ready to find Jake yet, though, so he went to Skylar’s apartment instead.
“Mac! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Obviously, she hadn’t been expecting company and answered the door in big fuzzy slippers and a bathrobe.
“It was unplanned. I just got here a little while ago.” He glanced at her robe. “Why aren’t you dressed? It’s almost five o’clock. Are you just getting up?”
She fluffed her wild spray of curls like an old Hollywood actress. “More like just getting home.”
“Wild night?” he teased.
“You can say that again.” She displayed an excited smile. “I’m so happy you’re here. I was just about to call you.”
“Why? What happened?”
Her hand flew up to his face so fast that she almost knocked him in the chin with a giant diamond ring. “I’m engaged!”
“Oh my God. Skylar!” He examined the ring, which was every bit as beautiful as she was, and he hugged her, happy for his best friend. “Congratulations. When did this happen, and why didn’t you call me the moment he proposed?”
“Last night. And I didn’t call you because I was . . . um.” She cleared her throat and smiled. “Busy. I was going to call you in a little while, after I got dressed, but you showed up at my door. Do you have some kind of mental telepathy or something?”
“Maybe. Because I was taking a drive and then just decided to come here.” He was about to tell her about the car, but she brought it up first.
“The Chevy? Pretty awesome, huh?”
“You knew?”
“Sure. I visit your parents. I check in on them.” She raised her brows and put her hand on her hip. “Cabbie claw, remember?”
“What the hell is Jake doing? Fixing up my car and checking on my parents? Did you see the fence and front door?”
“He loves you, Mac. Why are you questioning his motives?”
Because he pushed me away and severed all ties in a moment’s notice, he wanted to say. But he didn’t. Even though it hurt like hell, he knew Jake had valid reasons and thought he was doing the right thing. “I don’t know. I guess I shouldn’t. It’s just . . . I don’t want to talk about Jake. Tell me all about this proposal. Was it a surprise?”
“Yes!” She sparkled as she told the story of how Mateo surprised her with dinner at a fancy restaurant and a ring. She never looked happier, and he was over the moon for her.
“Tell me more about Mateo. I never got to know him that well.” Mac wished that he would have paid for the both of them to visit him while he was on tour and come to one of his shows. Airfare and hotels were expensive, and both Skylar and Mateo had hefty tuition bills to pay. Mac could have easily afforded it, but it didn’t occur to him, because he hadn’t been thinking straight.
“He’s interning at a major ad agency and hoping for a full-time position when he graduates next year,” Skylar said. “He has two older brothers and a younger sister. His mom is very sweet. And she loves me!”
“Who wouldn’t? Do you have a date set? Where are you going to live?”
“No. But I think it’ll be within the next few months. Not sure where we’re going to live yet.” She folded her arms in front of her. “Any more questions?”
His brows furrowed with confusion.
“You’re deflecting. Talking about me, so you don’t have to talk about the elephant in the room.”
He huffed out a laugh because she always called him on his shit.
“Well?” she prompted. “Aren’t you going to ask me more about Jake?”
“Does he ask you about me?”
“Yes,” she answered, without hesitation, which surprised Mac. “I wouldn’t exactly say we’re friends,” Skylar continued. “But we talk every so often. Actual conversations.Pleasantconversations. Without attitude or snarky remarks.” She touched Mac’s arm and grew humble. “He’s really nice. I had no idea. But now I know what you meant. He’s nothing like the tough-guy façade he hides behind.”
“What did he ask you about me?”
“He just wants to make sure you’re OK. He’s so happy for you, but he misses you so much.” She sighed. “His heart is broken. Just like yours. I wish things could be different for the two of you.”
