Page 83 of Best Frenemies

“Y-you’re not alone?” I stutter, his full-on bear hold so tight, I can’t even move my arms.

He leans his head back ever so slightly to meet my eyes and whispers, “I tried to text you. I forgot I agreed to watch my niece tonight until they just showed up five minutes ago.”

“Who is it, Uncle Mackie?” the little voice asks from right behind him now. Fairly certain I’m covered, I shove Mack back enough to get a look at the source—the absolute cutest little girl I’ve ever seen. She has brown pigtails and big brown eyes, and she’s staring at us with the curiosity of that monkey George.

“Gracie, this is my friend Katy,” Mack says without stepping fully out from in between us. “Can you go back into the living room for a second? We’ll be in in just a minute.”

“Why?”

Mack’s chuckle vibrates through his chest. “Because I have to tell Katy a secret.”

“But I love secrets!” Her eyes meet mine. “And I’m really good at keeping them, Katy! Promise!”

Oh my God.

“Gracie?” someone calls from behind her, but it’s not long before they’re standing right beside the little girl.“Oh,”the very pretty woman I’m deducing is Lizzy says after one look at my heels and coat. It’s clichéd enough that she recognizes the situation for what it is. “Hello…”

Oh my God.

Mack’s sister totally knows I’m naked right now, and we’ve never even met before.

Could thisbeany more awkward? Chandler Bing would think not.

My heart is pounding wildly in my chest right now, and I’m certain my cheeks are the shade of Taylor Swift’s red lipstick.

“So…Katy…” Mack sighs in defeat. “This is my sister, Lizzy.”

“Hi…” I pause, clear my throat, and try to ignore the fact that the only thing preventing his sister and niece from seeing my boobs and beaver is a very thin layer of untied material. “It’s…uh…nice to meet you.”

“And it’sreallynice to meet you.” Her responding smile is nothing but tickled and amused. “I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting one of Mack’s female friends. I have to say this has truly made my day.”

“Lizzy,” Mack interjects, his body still facing away from his sister and niece. “Do you mind taking Gracie into the living room for a moment?” His voice has taken on an edge of irritation. “I need to tell Katy something important.”

“Oh, riiiight,” Lizzy agrees with a smile. “Something important. Got it.”

“But I want to know the secret!” Gracie objects, and Lizzy just moves her back into the apartment on a laugh.

“It’s not the kind of secret kids can know, honey.”

“Ugh! I want to be an adult so bad!”

Once the coast is clear, Mack steps away enough to give me free mobility, and I hurriedly button myself back up.

“So…this was unexpected,” he says, and I let out a groan.

“Ya think?” I snap back.

“If I’d known what I was walking into, I probably wouldn’t have left my apartment…” I pause and drop my voice to a harsh whisper.“Without any freaking clothes on.”

He waggles his brows at me and leans forward to whisper, “But fuck do you look hot, babe.”

“Shut up,” I retort on a half laugh, half sigh. “Now is not the time.”

He grins at me. “Would now be a good time for me to grab you some sweatpants and a sweatshirt?”

“I think now would be a good time for me to go home.”

“What? Why?” he questions. “Stay. Hang out with me and Gracie tonight.”

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