Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
“What? No .”
All eyes turned to Lacey. Bridger stood frozen with the brownie halfway unwrapped. Angela merely looked confused. But Mack appeared to be enjoying himself. Lacey wanted to wipe that smug smile from his face.
“What?” Angela asked, her eyes darting to Bridger. “Come on, Lace, don’t tell me that you’re one of those moms. Bridger isn’t going to ruin his dinner with one brownie.”
Lacey glanced at the brownie. That was her out. How was she supposed to explain to her sister that the ‘no’ had been a reaction to Mack accepting her dinner invitation? She’d worked so hard to keep her distance from the guy.
It shouldn’t matter that when it was late, and her son had fallen asleep, she thought about giving in to him. It definitely didn’t matter that there were interactions with him that left her smiling like an idiot.
He wasn’t good for her or Bridger. And by the looks of it, Angela might have a crush on him anyway.
A twinge of disappointment slithered along her spine, and her shoulders sagged.
Angela definitely had a crush on Mack. Just by the way she was looking at him when she spoke about him, Lacey could tell.
Her sister was smiling too much. Her voice had taken on that higher pitch she used when she was flirting with a guy.
Dang it!
Lacey should be thrilled. Now she had a legitimate excuse as to why she needed to push Mack away. If her sister liked the guy, then he was off-limits.
“Lacey? You okay?”
Lacey jumped, her eyes focused on her sister. “What?”
“I hate to break it to you, but Bridger’s already eaten half of the brownie. If you want to stop him?—”
“Whatever,” Lacey sighed. “It’s fine. Let’s just get some dinner.
” She retreated into her room for her jacket, pausing to cover her flushed skin with her cool hands.
This wasn’t happening. Maybe if she went back out there, Mack would be gone, and she could have the fun night out with her sister that they’d planned.
She was wrong.
Mack and Angela were in the throes of a conversation when Lacey returned. From the sounds of it, they were discussing the summers they’d spent hanging out together. They’d moved the year Lacey had gotten pregnant and hadn’t seen each other since.
In a small town like this one, a teen pregnancy would have been the end of her reputation. So far no one seemed to notice that her son was on the older side for her twenty-two years of age. There were more interesting rumors going around—like who was dating who.
Angela gasped. “Wait, you were going to visit someone. Do you need to cancel?”
Lacey watched Mack closely.
Oh, he was good.
He didn’t even glance in her direction when he said, “Nah. I was going to surprise them with a visit, but I can do that another time.” He’d been planning on surprising her. Something deep down warmed at the knowledge that he still hadn’t given up trying to pull her to the dark side.
Nope. She wasn’t going there—especially since her sister would be here for the next couple of weeks, and she would definitely be wanting his attention.
At the restaurant, Bridger climbed into the booth first. Lacey followed suit just to ensure she wouldn’t have to be seated beside Mack. Unfortunately, Angela climbed into the booth to sit across from Bridger, leaving Mack to be directly in front of Lacey.
“Mom? I have to go to the bathroom.”
She shifted to leave the booth when Mack offered, “I’ll take him.”
Lacey blinked. Bridger was at that age where he didn’t like going to the women’s restroom anymore. She usually took him to the men’s restroom and stood outside the door. She must have taken too long to respond because Angela nudged Mack out of the booth.
“Just let him do it.”
Lacey settled back in her seat, giving Mack a look that she hoped portrayed just how bloodthirsty she could get if her son was harmed.
And all he did was chuckle. “Come on, kid.”
Bridger hopped down from his seat. Both Lacey and Angela watched them go. The second they were around the corner, Angela leaned forward, her face alight. “Isn’t he great?”
Lacey reluctantly brought her focus to her sister. “Hmm?”
“ Mack .” She swooned and leaned back in her seat. “He was so hot in high school, how is it possible that he’s even hotter now?”
Lacey shifted her attention to the menu, already feeling the warmth creep into her face. “Yeah, I guess he’s okay.”
“ Okay ? He let your kid have his brownie, and he offered to take him to the bathroom. He’s built, and oh, my gosh! That jaw!” Angela grinned. “Do you think he’d say yes if I asked him out—you know, officially?”
Lacey stiffened. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably at the idea of her sister going on a date with Mack and his stupid obsession with cheesy pick-up lines. “I don’t know if he’d go for that,” she hedged then winced the second the words left her lips.
“What? Why not? Is he dating someone?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. I barely know him. I just thought… he doesn’t seem like… the kind of guy who likes to be asked out.” Lacey didn’t know if that was the truth, either. All she knew was that she didn’t want her sister dating the guy.
It was because she didn’t want to see Mack more often since Angela was staying at her apartment. At least that was the story Lacey told herself.
She cleared her throat. “Don’t you think he seems more like the old-fashioned type? He probably likes to do the asking…” She let her voice trail off and slowly peeked at her sister, relieved to note that Angela looked more contemplative than upset.
“You’re probably right.”
Lacey breathed out a sigh of relief and looked in the direction of the bathrooms. “It shouldn’t be taking this long.”
“There’s a crane machine over by the bathrooms. I’m sure Bridger just wanted to see it.”
She was right. It had been years since Angela had been to this restaurant, but everything had remained the same. A few months ago, Bridger had stopped at the crane machine, but Lacey hadn’t had quarters. “I’m going to check on them.”
“Lacey—” Angela groaned, but she didn’t follow.
With sure steps, Lacey wove through the restaurant and headed straight for the bathrooms. Sure enough, Mack and Bridger were at the crane machine. Not only were they there, but Bridger was playing.
Lacey stopped in her tracks, watching Mack crouched down beside her son pointing at the metal claw that swayed overhead.
“See? Last time you didn’t go quite far enough. Quick, move it a little more that way.” He chuckled. “Yeah, just like that. Now push the button.”
Bridger jumped up and down. The claw lowered, but it didn’t quite wrap around the stuffed horse. Her son frowned. “I missed.”
“It’s okay, kid. We have eight more tries.”
Her brows shot up, and without knowing what she was going to do, she strode toward them. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Bridger didn’t notice the tightness to her tone. Mack didn’t seem to care. He glanced up at her before rising to his feet with a grin. “The kid wanted to win the horse.”
She glanced down at her distracted son and lowered her voice. “You’re taking this too far,” she snapped.
“Am I? How so?”
Lacey poked him in the chest a few times, a little harder than necessary. “Dinner? The crane machine? What don’t you understand about the word no?”
He chuckled, the sound unnerving her. Mack’s eyes roved over her face, and he tilted his head.
Then his fingers lifted and swept some hair behind her ear like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“I’ll remind you, Angela and I were friends long before this happened. ” He pointed between the two of them.
She snatched his finger in her grasp and shoved it away. “There is no this .”
The low rumble of laughter had her insides dancing. His eyes sparkled. “Really? Because I got you to come out with me again.”
Her mouth dropped open. “This isn’t a date,” she seethed.
“Oh, man! I was so close,” Bridger groaned.
“Keep at it, kid. Practice makes perfect,” Mack said, though his eyes never left her face. “Tell you what, if I hold your hand, it’s a date.”
“Absolutely not,” she hissed. “I’d die first.” Even to her, the threat sounded weak. The thought of his touch on her caused a thrill to ripple along her skin. Her body was threatening to betray her.
“We’ll see,” he murmured.
“No, we won’t.”
Mack moved closer. She’d never felt more vulnerable than in this moment. It was like he could see past the walls she’d built up and knew the truth of her growing attraction. No one had ever fought this hard to spend time with her.
While she’d never been interested in anything more than a first date, somehow she knew most of the guys who asked her out wouldn’t want to be locked into something with a kid. She loved Bridger more than life itself, and he deserved someone who wanted him as much as they wanted her.
He’s good with Bridger . The admission made her heart clench. Mack knew about her son, and he still insisted he wanted to take her out again.
The realization that he was touching her again dragged her out of her stupor. Her skin pebbled beneath his feather-light caress along her jaw. His fingers were calloused, but he was so gentle. Her breath stilled in her chest, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away from him as he moved even closer.
“Yes!” Bridger called out. “Mom! Mom! Look!”
She jumped, and Mack’s hand dropped to his side. Her breaths came out in sharp spurts, and her hands trembled as she turned toward her son just in time to see him lunge for the swinging door. Bridger pulled out a stuffed horse and held it up with two hands.
“I knew you could do it, kid!” Mack clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You still have one chance left. You want to take it?”
Bridger shook his head. “I got my horse. You can try.”
Mack ruffled her son’s hair then glanced up at Lacey with a wink. “Maybe I can win your mom something.”
That idea seemed to thrill Bridger even more. He moved around and pointed out a stuffed ladybug. “She’d like that. She has other ladybug stuff at home.”
“Does she now?”
Lacey rolled her eyes. “Come on, Bridger, Aunt Angela is waiting for us. I’m sure she’s wondering where we are.” She attempted to herd her son in the direction of the table, but he resisted.
“I want to see if Mack wins.”
She released a groan. “Okay, but you come back with him.” Lacey returned to the table, more flustered than she wanted to admit.
Angela glanced at her over the menu. “Wanna share a chicken parm?”
“Sure. Whatever.”
“You okay?”
Lacey’s eyes snapped to her sister. “Fine.”
Before her sister could dig a little deeper and demand answers as to Lacey’s different attitude, Bridger returned with Mack, a broad smile on his face as he held out the ladybug. “We won it for you, Mom!”
Lacey didn’t have to meet Mack’s eyes to know he was grinning just as much as Bridger.
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Angela gushed. “Isn’t that sweet, Lacey?”
She forced a smile. “Incredibly sweet.” She pulled Bridger closer and pressed a kiss to his temple. “Thanks, bud.”
“You have to thank Mack. He’s the one who got it.”
Lacey forced herself to meet the man’s eyes. “Thank you, Mack.”
He winked. The blasted man actually winked at her. Thank goodness Angela hadn’t noticed.
Conversation died as they looked through the menu to choose their meals. Then it picked up again when Angela turned her full attention to Mack. “Fill me in. What’s going on with you?”
Mack had his arms folded as he spoke. His words faded while Lacey observed him closer.
Without his attention on her, she could study him.
She told herself she was merely trying to get to the root of why she was starting to find him irresistible.
If she could decipher that, then maybe she could put a stop to it.
He had a dimple in his right cheek when he smiled big enough. How had she missed that? Maybe on some subconscious level, she’d noticed it. There was nothing cuter than a dimple. She was a sucker for them.
Cut it out, Lacey. You’re not supposed to be finding reasons to like him more. You’re supposed to be finding reasons to hate him.
At this rate, that was going to be impossible. The way to her heart was through her son, and here Mack was, making her son laugh and helping him win toys from the crane machine.
She jolted when she realized he was staring right at her.
Shoot! She’d been staring first, and he’d caught her.
Hot, raging fire swept beneath the surface of her skin, and she averted her gaze. The food was here. She hadn’t even noticed the waitress bringing it over. This was a battle she was quickly losing.
Lacey lost track of how many times she caught him watching her. Each and every time, her own eyes darted to other things. If anyone had asked her what the main topics of conversation had been at dinner, she wouldn’t have been able to mention even one.
When they walked out of the restaurant and headed for Angela’s car, the toe of Lacey’s shoe snagged on an uneven crack in the sidewalk. She pitched forward, her heart catching in her throat when someone snatched her hand and stopped her from falling flat on her face.
Breaths puffed from her lungs as adrenaline coursed through her body. Her focus darted to Mack, and she briefly offered him an embarrassed smile. “Thanks.” Her gratitude came easier than anything else that evening.
“You okay, Lace?” Angela asked from the other side of the car.
Lacey nodded. “Just clumsy.”
Mack leaned closer to her just as she realized his warm hand still held hers.
Not only that, but he’d slipped his fingers within her own so they were woven together.
His low, husky voice was for her ears alone when he murmured, “You know these gaps between your fingers? I think they were made for mine.”
That heat returned to her face, and she yanked her hand free of his before staring at him, aghast. Her eyes darted to where Angela had already climbed into the car and was fiddling with the radio.
Bridger climbed across the back seat to the booster they’d put there for him.
“You can’t do that,” she said with a shaky voice, more to herself than anyone else.
He seemed to ignore her. “I look forward to taking you on our third date.”