Chapter 51
GEORGIA
I came in through Mac’s kitchen door from my little apartment. While I never gave up my room at the James Inn, I hadn’t stayed there more than that one night. I’d been in Mac’s bed, sneaking in late and leaving early before Andy woke.
Was I stupid? Probably. But what woman would turn down Mac-made orgasms and being held in his arms all night because her job was almost done? None.
They’d gird their emotions and savor every passionate, pleasure filled second. Then, they’d go home and work their way through pints and pints of ice cream but with the sinful memories.
That’s what I was doing. Enjoying myself knowing binge eating and extra battery purchases were in my future.
“Ready,” I told him breathlessly. It wasn’t as cold tonight, indicating that spring might actually happen. The snow was still on the ground, but it had melted. Slightly.
With my fake fur trimmed boots and my pink coat, I barely noticed it any longer. The snow and the cold.
Mac turned from the sink where he’d been scrubbing a plate.
“You went up there an hour ago,” he said, closing the dishwasher.
I shrugged, shutting the back door behind me. “I told you I had to get ready.”
The look on his face was one of complete confusion. “To change your clothes.” His dark eyes raked over me. “You look great, by the way, but what the hell have you been doing for an hour?”
“Getting ready,” I repeated. He had no idea what it involved. None.
“Well, you look very nice,” Drew said. He was at the kitchen table with his friend, Ralph, who I was introduced to earlier, and Andy. They were playing cards and peanuts were in the middle of the table as if they were playing for snacks.
Yesterday, I ran into Lindy and Dex in the produce section of the grocery store. They seemed oddly amused by the squash and invited me and Mac over for dinner tonight. Now.
“Are those flowers for me?” Mac asked.
I looked down at the seasonal bouquet I got at the store.
I blushed because that meant he might be thinking this was a date, although it was the guy that usually gave the girl flowers.
But, nope. This wasn’t a date. This was friends asking me to dinner and inviting Mac as well because I was staying at his house.
Well, they thought in his garage apartment, not knowing I was now in his bed.
“For Lindy. A hostess gift, although being pregnant, she probably would have liked the sparkling apple juice as much as Andy.”
Mac nodded, went around the counter to Andy and ruffled his hair. “We’ll be back in a few hours.”
Drew looked up from his cards. “We’ll be fine.”
Ralph nodded and took a card from the deck. “If this guy doesn’t clean us out of peanuts.”
Andy giggled and put a two down on the table.
With exaggeration, both men groaned at whatever the card meant. With a grin splitting his face, Andy leaned across the table and pulled the peanuts toward him. It seemed it meant they lost.
Between Drew and Ralph, Andy’d be well covered.
Once done collecting his winnings, Andy climbed from his seat and ran over to me and wrapped my legs in a hug. “Bye! Tell Mr. Hockey I said hi.”
I laughed and gave him a squeeze back. This, this right here, was perfect.
And painful. It was like a typical night when part of a family.
Mom and Dad going out and the son spending the evening with his grandfather.
Andy knew me leaving now was only for a night out and that I was coming back.
That part of his feeling of safety and belonging included me. He hadn’t hugged his dad. He hugged me.
I swallowed hard. “Will do.”