Chapter Nine
CHAPTER NINE
VIVIAN
I don’t know what’s happening to me. Mac Evans is making me feel all kinds of things. I never thought it would be fun to argue with someone. Plus, it bothered me the way Claire was flirting with him. Why? Why? She can flirt all she wants because I can’t stand the guy. I keep reminding myself that it’s possible to think someone is attractive and not like them. It’s completely normal and nothing to worry about, right?
And Mac didn’t hesitate to flirt right back with her. For some reason it almost felt like he was purposely trying to get me to react. Maybe he thinks I’m still harboring deep feelings for him? Ha. He wishes.
The worst part about this is I don’t want to tell Katie about my dilemma. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t share something with my best friend. I’m probably being silly, but I’m not sure what she’d think. Plus, she already has her heart set on Cash and me being soul mates.
Speaking of which, I haven’t heard from Cash since our dinner. It’s only been a few days, and he was the one who asked for my number, so I’m trying not to read too much into it. Truthfully, I hadn’t been worried about it until stupid Mac asked me about our date. Why does he care how it went? Ugh. I can’t believe I’m letting him push his way into my thoughts like this. I should be working right now—this is my happy place. The place where I can become completely engulfed in my work without my personal life getting in the way.
I’m just about to leave the office when I receive a text from Cash.
Hey Vivian. Cash here. Sorry for the delay, I’ve been so slammed with work—apparently, it’s issue week and no one warned me. Hope to see you soon. Interested in meeting for lunch or dinner?
I let out a relieved sigh. It’s never a great feeling to think someone has ghosted you after just one meeting. I wait a few minutes before I start typing my response to his message.
Hi! Issue week is always the worst. Lunch or dinner is great. Looking forward to getting together.
Katie will be over the moon when I tell her Cash texted and asked me out again. There’s just one problem—I should be just as excited as she will be. Maybe it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind. But I’m sure once we go out again, all the feels will take over.
“Can you believe this day is here?” Katie asks, adding a few curls to her hair.
“The day your brother gets engaged? Honestly, no.”
She nods. “I know. Poor Kyle is freaking out. I’ve never seen him such a mess. It doesn’t help that my mom keeps asking him what’s going on. Laura Thomason missed her true calling as a detective .
I laugh. “At least everything went well with Addi’s parents.”
She lets out a sigh of relief. “Yes. Kyle said it was good, except they both started crying and couldn’t get any words out. He just sat there not knowing what to say or do. At first, he wasn’t sure if they were happy or not.”
“Do you think Addi suspects anything is going on?”
“I’m not sure. She might suspect he’s up to something, but not tonight. She was very excited when I invited her to dinner for a girls’ night.”
I sit on Katie’s bed and pull my legs under me.
“Well, hopefully she’s not too disappointed when she finds out she’s not spending the evening with us.”
She laughs. “We’ll give her a rain check. But I’m sure the two-carat oval diamond she’s about to get will make her forget about having sushi with us.”
“Good point.”
“Anyway, tell me about Cash?”
I shrug. “There’s not much to tell. We’ve texted a few times and talked about getting together, but no set plans. He says the sky is falling at work.”
She nods. “That’s true. Dallin has been really stressed out—they are having major drama at the firm. I’m sorry, Vivi. I know he’s interested.”
I shrug. “I’m not worried about it.”
Of course I don’t tell her why I’m not worried, or that I can’t stop thinking about Mac. Okay, so this isn’t completely true—I can stop thinking about him a little—just not as much as I wish I could.
“What’s up with you?” Katie asks giving me a curious look.
“Nothing’s wrong. ”
She furrows her brow. “Okay—but you’d tell me if there was.”
I nod. “Yes. Of course.”
A few minutes later we’re on our way to pick up Addi. As far as she knows, we’ve planned a night of sushi and a show at the theater. Instead we’ll bring her to the park where she and Kyle went on their first official date. They spent several hours sitting on a bench talking. They now call it their bench so that’s the place Kyle is popping the question. He’s set up dozens of roses of every color, champagne, and a red carpet. It all sounds sweet and romantic.
Katie texts Addi when we arrive at her place. A few seconds later she appears, and she looks adorable as ever in her pink mini dress and silver platform heels.
“You look so pretty,” Katie says when Addi gets in the back seat, clearing her throat. She looks like she might burst into tears at any second, so I squeeze her arm. We’ve come too far for her to ruin the surprise now.
“Aww…thanks,” she says. “So do you. I’ve been looking forward to tonight all week. I’m dying to see this show.”
Katie nods, attempting to hold back the tears. “Let’s go.”
“How are you, Vivi?” Addi asks.
“I’m great.”
“Has Vivi told you about the birthday celebration we’re planning for you and Kyle?” Addi asks Katie.
“She hasn’t given me any details.”
“We had a very productive planning meeting the other day,” she says.
I nod without saying anything.
“I was also able to introduce Mac to my friend Claire, and wow they had some good chemistry. Don’t you think so, Vivi?”
“Um, yeah sure,” I say .
“Good,” Katie says. “Mac needs to meet a nice woman.”
“Claire is the best. I think they’ll get along very well,” Addi tells her.
Katie’s phone buzzes, and she gestures for me to check it. A message from Kyle flashes on the screen—he’s ready. I meet her gaze and give a subtle nod. She grins.
“We just need to make a quick stop, if that’s okay,” Katie says, glancing in the rearview mirror.
“Of course,” Addi replies, not looking up from her phone.
The sun has cast a glow as we pull into the park. That’s when I spot Mac, waving in our direction. My stomach does an unexpected flip.
“Oh, why are we here?” Addi asks. “And there’s Mac.”
“I’m not sure,” Katie says. “Mac texted and asked us to swing by.”
“Good evening, ladies,” Mac says, leaning into the window after we approach him. He nods his chin toward me. “Thanks for stopping by.”
“What’s going on?” Katie asks, trying hard to sound confused.
“It’s a surprise,” he replies.
She sighs. “Okay. Come on girls.”
We all get out of the car, Addi looks completely lost, but I guess that’s supposed to be part of the experience.
Katie links her arm with Addi’s while Mac and I follow behind them. He glances at me every few seconds as we walk but doesn’t say anything.
“What’s going on?” Addi asks, just as the path turns to the left and Kyle appears. He’s wearing a gray suit, over a white shirt and no tie.
Katie throws her arms around Addi, hugging her tightly as Kyle approaches. Katie joins me and Mac as the tears flow down her cheeks. I can feel tears prick my eyes also. The three of us walk back to Katie’s car without saying a word. Mac hops in the back seat.
“I can’t believe my little brother is getting engaged right this second,” she wails dabbing the corners of her eyes.
“I can’t believe my best friend is ready to get married,” Mac adds.
“How was he before we arrived?” Katie asks. “Was he still freaking out?”
“He seemed pretty calm,” Mac says. “I think it was mostly the anticipation of her getting to the park and pulling off the surprise.”
“I think she was definitely surprised,” I say.
“Anyway, what are we doing tonight?” he asks leaning between the front seats. I catch a whiff of his cologne, and it smells fantastic.
“We’re going to get sushi,” Katie says.
“Let’s do it,” he announces boldly.
Katie shoots me a glance, and the pressure is on. It would be rude of me to say I don’t want Mac to join us, especially given this evenings events.
“Unless you don’t want me to crash your ladies night?” he adds, looking directly at me.
“I don’t care,” I say with a nonchalant shrug.
“Yay. Let’s go celebrate Kyle and Addi,” Katie says, wiping below her eyes. “I’ll text Dallin and tell him to meet us.” She grabs her phone before heading to the restaurant.
Katie and Mac are all abuzz about what’s happening with the proposal. I haven’t said anything, but different thoughts are spinning through my mind. I’m thinking about how good Mac smells and how the scent of his cologne has filled the car. I’m also thinking about how much it bugs me that I’m not mad he’s joining us tonight .
“Is Kyle going to text to tell us how it went?” I ask. It would be weird to not say anything.
“He said he would,” Katie says.
A few seconds later Katie gasps. “You don’t think there’s a chance she says no, do you?”
Admittedly the thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t tell Katie this.
“Not a chance,” Mac says. “She’s just as locked in as he is. Plus she’d be crazy not to want to marry Kyle. He’s the best guy I know.”
“I agree,” I say.
It’s Mac’s turn to gasp. “Am I hearing things? Vivian agreed with me about something. I never thought this day would come.”
Katie laughs. “I heard it too.”
“Very funny,” I mutter. “It’s obvious how much Addi loves him. She’s putting everything she has into giving him the perfect birthday party—and you.”
“It’s true,” Mac says.
“Ohhh, I can’t take the suspense,” Katie whines. “Everyone check your messages right now.”
“Nothing yet,” Mac says.
“Same,” I add.
“I’m sure they are busy,” Mac says with a low chuckle. “Messaging us is the last thing on that man’s mind right now.”
“Ohhh, you’re right,” Katie squeals just as we pull into the parking lot of Wasabi Kiss .
Katie looks at her phone. “Dallin will be here in about twenty. Let’s go get a table.”
Before I know it, Mac hops out and opens my door for me.
“Thanks,” I say .
“No problem,” he says, locking his gaze on mine.
“What are you guys doing?” Katie asks, dragging me out of my daze.
“Nothing,” I call. “I think I need a drink.”
“Me too,” Mac mumbles.
This should be interesting. Thankfully the big topic of conversation this evening will be Kyle and Addi. I’m just going to ignore everything else I’m feeling in this moment.