18. Mackenzie
Mackenzie
I get a text message on Friday afternoon. It’s from Jake, and it’s short.
Kindness for the win.
Thanks.
What’s going on?
I call him back, but of course, it goes to voice mail. As soon as I decide not to leave a message and disconnect, my phone rings.
It’s Cameron. “Oh my God. Did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
“About Jake Cavendish! He had lunch with Candace at The Carpe Diem Café – and she was all over him.”
He was kind to Candace, just as he said he would be. My heart glows, but I give nothing away. “I thought they didn’t get along.”
“They don’t. They didn’t. She was furious with him. She’ll tell you herself. She blames him for everything going south after Patrick died. Jake had her car repossessed. Did you know that?”
I make a sound that is neither agreement or argument, but Cameron is on a roll and doesn’t notice.
“And he said she’d have to sell the house.
She’s been furious with him, at least until he called her up and offered to take her to the bank.
I don’t know what he did and I don’t know what he said, but Candace is thrilled.
She has a new credit card, and Jake seems to be her new favourite person in the world. ”
I smile, and not just because this is good news for Candace. I love that Jake listened to me. He took my criticism and acted upon it. “That sounds kind,” I say but Cameron carries on.
“It seems to be unanimous that he’s an asshole. Abbie said someone called to chew him out when they were driving to Toronto…”
The glow around my heart turns to ice. “Wait. Abbie rode to Toronto with Jake?”
“Of course! He drove her to the airport on Friday on his way home. Don’t you know anything?
And he got this call, one he obviously wasn’t expecting, and this Rachel from Accounting called him every name you could imagine before hanging up on him.
” Cameron takes a breath. “Abbie told Daphne that Jake wasn’t even troubled by it. I guess he’s used to it.”
I was Rachel from Accounting. Jake covered for me because Abbie was there. That’s why he didn’t say much or defend himself. I didn’t even think he wouldn’t be alone.
Cameron bursts into another soliloquy about how gorgeous Jake is. She wonders when he’ll be back in town and where she might meet him, then how she could get his number.
“You could ask Candace,” I suggest and she seizes on that plan.
“Great idea. I’ve got to go. Shit. I have to get to work.”
And she’s gone, leaving my office sounding very quiet. I could call Sylvia or Merrie, but it would be better to wait.
I send Jake a message.
Nicely played.
I wonder if it’s enough, but he replies right away.
Glad you approve.
He must still be in town somewhere. He hasn’t booked the townhouse. I can’t believe he’d stay with Candace. They can’t be getting along that well. While I’m thinking about what to do, my phone confirms a booking at the townhouse.
For tonight.
In fact, Mr. Wickham is using the keypad right now.
I grab my keys and head out the door.
I ring the doorbell at the townhouse and see the shadows moving inside.
Jake opens the door then leans in the frame, looking cocky and irresistible.
He’s wearing shorts, which makes sense as it’s hotter than hell today, and a short-sleeved cotton shirt.
He’s barefoot and I take a moment to admire his legs.
Fair’s fair. He’s admiring mine. I’m wearing shorts as well, but with a T-shirt.
“Rachel from Accounting,” I say and he laughs.
“I had to say something.”
“I didn’t know Abbie was with you.”
“Obviously. And I had to maintain Mackenzie’s rules for not dating in Empire.” He shrugs. “It was the best I could do on the fly.”
Now I’m the one smiling. “And it worked. Thank you.”
He nods, our gazes locked as the temperature rises between us. He doesn’t ask me in and I know why. “Not at your mom’s then, after all?”
“I don’t love being fixed up.”
“Not even with the perfect match?” Jake makes a tsking sound. He’s teasing me but he’s way too interested in my answer. His eyes are glittering. “Are you afraid he will be perfect or he won’t be?”
“I don’t know.”
“That doesn’t sound like you.”
“No, it doesn’t.” I won’t stand here and consider that the one person in the world who seems to understand how I’m feeling about this is the one person who is officially a stranger to me.
No one says anything for a few minutes. I can hear the mosquitos closing in.
“So how far would we have to drive to get something to eat without being in violation of Mackenzie’s rules?”
“Not far,” I say, relieved he’s made this suggestion. “There’s a burger place my dad used to love. I don’t think anyone else I know ever goes there.”
Jake grabs his wallet and keys and steps into his shoes. “Sounds great. Lead on.”
“It’s not fancy.”
“That sounds even better.”