Page 42 of Best Frenemies

The dolphins are a playful bunch as they swim around in the sea, occasionally jumping out of the water and diving back in. “This is incredible. They’re so close,” I murmur. “I honestly think I could reach out and touch one if I wanted to.”

“I had a feeling you’d like this.” Mack looks over his shoulder again, his gaze locking with mine. “Good surprise?”

“Greatsurprise.” I tell him the truth. I even find myself reaching out to grip his shoulder with my hand. “I’ll never forget this. Thank you.”

He covers my hand with his own and gives it a gentle squeeze. “Happy birthday, Katy.”

Despite my injured foot and the fact that Anna isn’t here, it actually is a happy birthday.

Funnily enough, this right here, might be thebestbirthday you’ve ever had, and it’s all because ofhim—the man you used to tell yourself you hated.

Mack

Katy’s left leg pokes out from the blanket, her freshly tanned skin practically glowing from the extra few hours we spent out on the beach.

I’d only planned for us to be out there for an hour or two, long enough to show Katy my dolphin surprise, but when she got a second wind and wanted to lay out for a few hours, there wasn’t a chance in hell I was going to say no.

I stare at her long leg a little too hard, and the dishes clank on the table as I try to clear our DoorDashed pizza dinner at the same time.

The loud noise is enough to make Katy’s eyes jump to me, but I play it off with a sheepish smile and a wink. She’s on the phone with her parents—has been for quite a few minutes now—and despite the small space and my newfound closeness with Kai and Melissa, I’m trying not to eavesdrop too much.

I know she thinks it’s strange that I’m on a first-name, text-message basis with her dad, but it doesn’t feel anything but normal to me. I’m a people person, and to me, the more I befriend, the better. Everyone has a unique story and perspective and something genuinely interesting to add to my life.

“Yes, Mom, I promise I’m taking care of myself,” she says with her phone pressed to her ear. “The ER doctor is confident everything will heal up nicely and I’ll be off crutches in a week.”

I move to the sink to give her some space—and to make my pervy eyes face the other direction—and start washing up everything we’ve used so I can put it away. I’ve just put the last of the plates in the cabinet when Katy makes a simple declaration that makes my heart swell.

“Actually, it’s been a pretty awesome birthday, despite the whole foot injury. A really great birthday, in fact. Probably the best I’ve had in a while.”

I bring Katy a refill on her water and then head back to the kitchen to get out of her hair. I can still hear her talking, but I feel like maybe I’m at least giving her the illusion of privacy.

“Ha! Yeah, right,” she answers through a snort. “There will be no bars or clubbing tonight. Just Vicodin to help with the pain, a hot shower, and bed… Shut up, Dad, I’m not lame. I’m tired, and the ER doctor told me I had to keep this foot elevated for at least forty-eight hours.”

Without even thinking, I’m already grabbing a Vicodin from her pill bottle and carrying it over to her on the couch.

Her eyes meet mine, and she offers a thankful smile while also whispering, “I think I need two.”

The fact that she’s even willing to take a Vicodin tells me she’s in some serious discomfort, so when she requests two—which is still within the prescribed limit—I don’t hesitate to grab another one for her.

“Thank you,” she mouths and downs both pills like a champ while I head back into the kitchen to finish cleaning up.

I wipe down the counters and spray down the sink and even tuck the leftovers away into the fridge. Luckily, just when I’m running out of things to do that’ll keep me in the kitchen where I can hear the soothing lull of Katy’s voice, my phone buzzes in my back jeans pocket with a text message.

Lizzy: Hey, kid. I need a favor. Tom has a work dinner on Friday, April 8, and we don’t have anyone to watch Gracie. I’d just stay home, but Tom says if I don’t go with him, his boss will end up kidnapping him and taking him on a six-day golf trip. I can’t do six days by myself while Tom prisses around the golf course, Mack.

Thirty-one years old, and to my sister, I’m still “kid.” I don’t mind the nickname—she was practically a second mother to me, and I don’t mind watching my adorable five-year-old niece Gracie either. It’s never a chore to hang with her for the night, and to be honest, sometimes children understand me the best. Although, that doesn’t mean I’ll resist giving my dearest sister a hard time before I agree.

Me: Talk about booking out in advance. Did you want to schedule something for Christmas break also?

Lizzy: I know your little bachelor heart doesn’t understand it yet, but this is how it goes when you’re married with kids. So…can you avoid filling that day with one of your one-date bimbos to spend time with your favorite niece?

Me: Hey, sometimes, we go on two dates.

Lizzy: MACK.

I grin and type out a response.

Me: Yes, of course, I can make sure my schedule is cleared for Gracie.

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