Chapter 2
Mackenzie
After dragging Cal around the room to meet everyone, where he was amazingly chill and friendly, I decide to be brave and drop a hint to see if he’s interested in casual fun.
Sure, there was chemistry on the dance floor, but he did just get dumped earlier today.
It’s a little strange how unfazed he seems after a major breakup.
I mean, they lived together. If I broke up with someone I lived with, I’d be devastated.
On the other hand, he’s not giving me monk vibes. Maybe casual fun is the stress relief we both need.
Mom and Dad approach me near the end of the dance, already wearing their coats. “Dad and I have plans,” Mom chirps.
I nod with a bland expression. No details, please. It’s late on Valentine’s Day, and let’s just say they’re still hot for each other.
Dad wraps an arm around Mom’s shoulders.
He’s got a little gray in his dark brown hair, but otherwise in top shape.
He’s a former soldier with a mischievous streak that’s legend, especially concerning the escalating prank war he and Mom got into before they were married. People in town still talk about it.
“Can you and Harper take the catering dishes back to Happy Endings?” Dad asks. “They’re all washed and ready to go.”
I smile. “Absolutely. No worries.”
I hug them goodbye. They walk out holding hands, stealing glances at each other like they can’t wait to be alone.
This is why I’m in no rush to settle down.
They set the bar high. I didn’t even attempt a relationship until I was twenty-three, and Shawn was a huge disappointment.
Now I understand that what my parents have is rare.
It’s only logical to stick to casual when that kind of relationship doesn’t come around often.
I look around for Cal. He’s talking to my younger brother, Cooper, and his fiancée, Rowan.
Cooper can talk to anyone. He’s a bartender at Happy Endings and soon to be co-owner.
I know why my parents asked me and Harper to deal with the catering dishes instead of Cooper.
We’re the only two without plans on this most romantic of nights. Though that could be changing.
I head over to Cal, Cooper, and Rowan just as Harper walks over barefoot, holding her heels by the straps. “Hey, all.” She turns to me. “I’m beat. Let’s go.”
“Dad asked if we could drop off the catering dishes at Happy Endings.”
She groans. “Because we’re the only single people here. It’s like a double tax. Single on Valentine’s and working overtime.”
Cal lifts a hand. “I can help if you want to go home, Harper.”
That was easy. Maybe he wants time alone with me too.
Harper gives me a sideways questioning glance, which I answer with a telepathic hell yes!
“That would be great,” I say brightly.
Harper turns to Cooper. “Can I get a ride home with you and Rowan?”
He waves pretend fumes away from his face. “Only if you put your shoes back on.”
She waggles them in his face in retaliation. Cooper and Rowan jump back. “They’re not that bad!” She puts her heels on, wincing, and waves at me. “Bye, enjoy your Valentine’s after dark.”
My stomach flutters with excitement, but I manage to sound casual. “Bye, guys.”
The three of them head out.
I look at Cal. “Where’s your car?”
“I parked at Ludbury House. Your mom wanted to meet me there so she’d have time to get to know me on the ride over here.”
“Sounds about right. Ludbury House is only a block from my house, so that makes it easy. I can drop you off by your car after Happy Endings. Let me grab a cart.”
We head to the back room, my mind already skipping three steps ahead—Happy Endings, alone in an area only employees have access to; no, we’ll go to his hotel. Much more room to maneuver in a bed; then I’ll drop him off in the lot. I’m going for it. It’s now or never.
“Your feet must be killing you in those heels,” he says. Funny, most guys wouldn’t even think about my comfort level. Well, he does have a sister. He must be well versed in women’s fashion complaints.
“Nope. I’ve been practicing walking in heels since I was a preschooler. Mom has an extensive shoe collection. Besides, these were my Valentine’s gift.”
“Ah.” He glances at me. “From whom?”
“Me.”
He grins. “I didn’t know that was a thing. Women getting themselves gifts on Valentine’s Day.”
“I know best what I like, so why not?”
I grab a two-shelf cart and wheel it out to the table with the large covered stainless steel dishes. Cal takes a dish by the handles and puts it on the lower shelf of the cart. He bends slowly like he’s being careful of his knees. I bet giving up baseball was hard for him.
We work in tandem, accomplishing the task quickly.
“Are these going to fit in your car?” he asks as he pushes the cart toward the exit.
“You ask me that now?” I tease.
“Right.”
“The trunk is roomy, and the back seats fold down. No problem. I’ve done it before many times.”
The lot’s empty except for my Honda Accord. I chose this car for its reliability because I’d rather spend money on cute shoes than a pricey car. Also, I can’t afford a pricey car. Ha-ha.
We load up the car and get inside. I glance over at him in the passenger seat. His knees come up high because there’s not enough leg room. “You can push the seat back farther with the handle on the side.” I start the car and back out of the space.
He adjusts it, looking only a little less squished.
I shift gears and head out. “Guess they didn’t make this car with a tall person in mind.”
“I’m not even that tall. Six four.”
“Tall to me. If you were seven feet or eight, you’d need to ride around in a van.”
“A van? Try a custom car. That’s what the pro basketball players do.”
“Ever consider basketball?”
“I played it in high school, but baseball was always my favorite.”
When I pull up to a red light, I turn to him and get right to the point. “How do you feel about casual fun with me tonight?”
He clears his throat. “I feel favorably.”
I grin. “Excellent. After we drop off the dishes.”
He’s quiet. I hope that means he’s imagining all the dirty things we can do to each other. I sure am.
Cal
I’m having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that this morning I was living with Rayna, then I went to a Valentine’s Day dance (first time for that), and now I’m with an incredibly sexy woman who radiates warmth and kindness. Something sorely missing in my life.
When she introduced me to her family and friends, it was clear how much she loves them.
She remembered everyone’s latest news, gave out compliments like candy, and sang my praises as the new Clover Park lawyer, even though she knows next to nothing about me.
I guess being Sutton’s older brother gives me some credibility.
She left out the one fact that most people find interesting about me, that I was a ball player.
Maybe she doesn’t find it interesting. It was a relief not to have to share over and over how my knees got screwed up and I had to quit.
I’ll probably have to get knee replacements at some point, but I’m putting it off as long as I can. Not my favorite topic.
In short, she’s irresistible, and I want to give her whatever keeps that bright smile on her face.
I follow her in the back door of Happy Endings, carrying a stack of catering dishes, through a kitchen with three workers, and into a large supply closet. She turns on the light and sets her dishes on a back shelf. I put mine next to hers.
She turns, locks the door behind us, and whispers, “Kiss me.”
I pull at the collar of my button-down shirt. “Here? We’re doing this here? There’s workers, and isn’t this your family’s restaurant?”
She wraps her arms around my neck and presses her body against mine. I’m rock hard in an instant. “It’s just a kiss.” She goes on tiptoe but can’t quite reach me.
I lean down and give her a soft kiss. She opens for me, her tongue teasing, sending lightning down my spine.
The kiss turns carnal. She tries to climb my body, her leg wrapping around mine, seeking contact with urgently aching parts.
I pick her up by the waist, and she wraps her legs around me.
Raw need consumes me. I don’t care that there’s people right outside.
I press her back against the door, lost in sensation.
Oh God, she tastes so good, like mint and sex. I need more.
She pulls back to look at me, running her finger along my jaw. “You passed the kiss test.”
My mind tosses that strange comment aside in favor of another kiss. She puts her hand on my chest and pushes. I lift my head. “Yeah?”
She lowers her legs and slides down my fully aroused body. I stifle a groan. She takes my hand. “Cal, I want to be crystal clear. This is a one-night event. Just casual fun. Agree?”
I stare at her luscious lips, so soft. More, more, more.
“Okay, Cal? Nothing serious.”
I snap to attention. “I just ended a live-in relationship. It’s not like I’m going to propose after meeting you.”
“That’s perfect because I don’t believe in love. At least not for this stage in my life.”
“Sure,” I murmur, stroking her hair back from her face, leaning down to kiss along the column of her throat. She tips her head back with a sigh.
There’s a knock at the door. I jerk back.
A male voice calls, “Mackenzie, we’re closing soon.”
“Be out in a sec.” She takes a deep breath, then opens the door. The workers are cleaning up the kitchen. “Bye, everyone!”
“Hi, how ya doing?” I say to the guys, careful to keep Mackenzie in front of me to hide the obvious.
“I didn’t know you had company in there,” a middle-aged man in a chef’s hat says.
“No one needs to know, Pete,” she returns.
He puts his hands up. “I won’t tell.”