Chapter 13
I drag myself to our weekly meeting on Monday.
Saturday night with Cal was a huge mistake.
I should’ve listened to my instincts. I set a clear boundary for the whole fake-dating thing—no sex.
And then I totally initiated just because he said I was the best person he ever met.
I exhale sharply, more mad at myself than him.
I knew better. I knew I was playing with fire, and this is what happens, I got burned.
I need time away from him, and then he’ll be out of my system.
Hmph. I still can’t believe he said that.
There I was feeling so close to him when he was thinking of the end.
It’s fine. He works on a street that I can easily avoid, and there’s absolutely no reason for me to make the three-block walk to his apartment.
I’ll stick to my usual places, and eventually this will all get easier.
I open the back door that leads to our office. At least at work, I’ve got Nathan and Owen to keep me on my toes.
Climbing the stairs to our rented space above Something’s Brewing Café, I mentally review today’s agenda. I breeze through the kitchen into the main room we use as a meeting space and come to a screeching halt. No!
Cal’s here in all his tall, broad-shouldered athlete physique glory. Those big competent hands. The sexy memories are too fresh. What is he doing here? I need time and lots of space away from him.
I look away, willing myself to stop flushing hot. He’s talking to Nathan like they’re best pals. When did that happen?
I set my satchel on the table, ignoring the pounding of my heart. “Morning. Where’s Owen?”
Nathan scratches his dark stubbled jaw. “Doctor appointment. He’ll be back soon. You remember Cal the lawyer?”
Cal inclines his head, looking more handsome than any man has a right to be in a crisp white dress shirt. Dammit! He’s not supposed to be here!
Cal turns to Nathan. “Usually people say Cal the baseball player, so lawyer’s nice to hear.”
Nathan says, “Ball player usually has better status, except with the odd ones like Mackenzie here. Not a fan of America’s pastime. Unless you buy her a hot dog and a beer.”
“Only in it for the snacks,” Cal says, which he already knows from our movie marathon. “Fair enough. I’m the same way with romantic comedies. Need a popcorn and Milk Duds to sit through one of those.”
I take a seat and boot up my laptop. I work to keep a neutral professional voice. “Why do we need a lawyer?”
“Don’t knock those movies,” Nathan says to Cal. “Best way to a woman’s heart. Besides chocolate, that is.”
They share a chuckle, and now I want to punch someone. We’re not here to talk about women or hearts. This is so stupid.
I try another tactic. “We don’t need a lawyer.”
Nathan pulls out a seat and gestures for Cal to do the same. “I’d like some legal advice for that conflict of interest.”
I thought our meeting today was to decide which client was more important to keep. We couldn’t find a workaround. I guess that’s where Cal comes in. I have to rise above the personal and consider what’s best for our business. Even when every cell in my body is telling me to run.
Or shove Cal out the door. I’m surprisingly strong for my size.
Nathan studies me. “You’re okay with Cal, right? There’s no kind of conflict of interest between you two.”
“Of course not!” I say hotly and immediately want to sink into the floor and keep going into the magma of the Earth’s core.
“I used to do corporate work, so I’ve seen this situation before,” Cal says.
Oh, okay, so we’re going to pretend it’s completely normal that we’re now working together after I kicked him out of bed? For good reason! Cool, cool. No problem here.
“Mackenzie?” Nathan gives me a searching look. “Did you hear me?”
I stare at him blankly. “Say again.”
“The contracts for our clients.”
I pull them up on my laptop and address Cal’s eyebrow, unable to meet his eyes without imploding. “What’s your email? I’ll send you the contracts we have with them both.”
“Already got them from Nathan,” Cal says, giving me a strange look.
“Can you go over it with him?” Nathan asks patiently. “I have to go visit another potential client in the financial district.”
A zip of pure panic races up my spine. Alone with Cal? No, no, no. “We’ll reschedule for a better time. What potential client?”
Nathan stands and grabs his jacket, putting it on. “Someone I found on my own this weekend during basketball. I’ve been working all the angles.”
I stare at him imploringly. “Nathan, wait.”
He slaps Cal on the shoulder. “You’re in good hands here with Mackenzie. She basically runs the place.”
“So she told me,” Cal says with a grin.
Nathan barks out a laugh and strides to the door. I nearly topple over my chair in my hurry to catch up to him. I grab him by the sleeve before he gets to the door.
He turns. “What’s wrong? You look like somebody ran over your cat.”
“Never say that! Felix is the best cat ever.” I lower my voice. “Listen, you can’t leave me here with him. I’m unprepared. You should’ve run this by me first.”
“It’s no big deal. You know the clients inside out. Just answer his questions. We’re lucky he’s not charging us by the hour. I worked out a project fee that’s very reasonable. He’s trying to build goodwill here in town.”
He reaches for the door, and I plaster myself against it. “Reschedule your other meeting.”
“What is wrong…oh.” He gives me a knowing look. “You slept with him.”
“Shh!”
He pats my shoulder. “Good for you.”
“I ended it,” I whisper fiercely. “Now it’s awkward as hell. I can’t work like this. You need to take this on at another time.”
He looks perplexed, his brows crinkling together. “Ended what? Was it, like, a relationship? Don’t you usually have a carefully outlined with all the rules fling?”
I bristle at his teasing. It’s my organized, rule-following nature that keeps this place running. “It’s none of your business. I just want to reschedule for a better time when you and Owen can be here.”
He gives me a look bordering on pity. “Mackenzie, from a guy’s perspective, he’s over it. Did you see how relaxed he was in there? He’s fine. So you’ll be fine too.”
I grit my teeth. “I am fine.”
He smiles, showing both dimples. “Good. Then you can manage to work on one small project together. He’ll probably bore you to tears with all the legalese, and all that pent-up lust you’re holding onto will vanish.”
I purse my lips. “I don’t have pent-up lust.” I’m way too satisfied for that, which is not the point. Focus!
He lifts his palms. “No judgment. Now if you’ll excuse me, I really do need to get to this meeting.”
I reluctantly move away from the door. He makes a quick exit.
I turn back and stride into the room. Cal’s looking out the window at Main Street.
The view across the way is Happy Endings bar, the site of our first kiss.
My mind flashes to strong arms lifting me, the all-consuming kiss as he pressed me against the door, all of the hard planes of his body deliciously meeting my soft aching places.
My shoulders sag. I’m doomed. Every time I see him, I’m going to have a highlight reel of our sexy times running through my brain. That’s why I had no plans to see him.
He turns. “Everything okay?”
“You know what? Let’s get Sutton in on this by video chat. That way I don’t have to bring her up to speed later.”
“Sure.”
Cal closes the distance, facing me across the meeting room table. My gaze roams from his serious expression to the column of his neck to his wide shoulders, that chest. My mouth is dry.
I take a seat. “I’ll get Sutton on chat.” He doesn’t seem upset in the aftermath of Saturday night. It just proves it meant nothing to him beyond the physical. I’m so mad at myself. I fell for him. I did, even when every instinct told me to keep my guard up. My eyes get hot. Do not cry.
“You want me to call her?” Cal asks, taking the seat adjacent to me.
I shake my head and connect with Sutton a few moments later. As soon as she answers, I turn the screen so we can both see her. “Hi, Sutton, I’ve got Cal here with me today. We’re going to be working on that conflict of interest I mentioned. I thought you should be in the loop.”
Sutton, a pretty brunette with a bright smile, waves at us. “Hi! What a surprise. I didn’t know Cal would be working with us. Didn’t I tell you Mackenzie was beautiful and smart too?”
“You did,” Cal says warmly.
Now I’m warm. I’m not used to compliments like that. Well, Cal didn’t give me a compliment. His sister did. “Let’s get down to business.”
“You two have so much in common,” Sutton says.
“We do?” Cal asks.
I rub my temple. Sutton is starting to remind me of my matchmaking mom. The last thing I need when I’m trying to protect my heart.
Sutton starts ticking off our compatibility with her fingers. “Both from small towns, both veered from your first careers, and you’re both Hufflepuffs.”
My cheeks flush. Cal sends me an amused look.
I clear my throat. “I’m not sure what you mean by that but okay. I’ve got the—”
“Hufflepuffs are kind, loyal, and hardworking,” Sutton says. “You do so know. You’ve read the Harry Potter series more than I have.”
I rub the side of my neck. “When I was a kid. I feel like we’re getting off topic.”
“And Cal’s read them too.”
“I said the movies are cool,” Cal says. “I’m not actively participating in hufflepuffing.”
I smile despite my sour mood.
“What about your—” Sutton starts.
Cal cuts her off. “Okay, back to business.”
“He has a wand,” Sutton whispers.
I’d laugh, but I have one too. He sends me an embarrassed look.
“We don’t need to talk about this ever again,” I say. “Sutton, please take notes. Cal, let’s start with the nondisclosure section of the agreement.”
We get to work. Cal puts on reading glasses, and I pretend not to notice how sexy he looks with them as he displays all his legal competence. He’s all business, which is exactly what I’ll be for the rest of this work arrangement.