Page 28 of Still the One
I’m all alone in the living room, and my eye is drawn to the view of the Brooklyn Bridge through the window. This place must have cost a fortune. I glance around. Where is everyone? Where is Mac? Did I even come to the right place or did a series of misunderstandings lead me into someone else’s home? Then I spot a picture of Mac and her mother, Suzanne, and I know I’m exactly where I need to be.
“Sorry!” Mac waltzes in. “Everyone’s late, myself included.”
“Alan and Charles are late?” My heart skips a beat at the sight of her. “Hi.” Mac’s dressed in bright orange pants and a multi-colored top, and although she wears it incredibly well, it’s not the colors in her outfit that attract my attention the most. It’s the smile on her face and the sparkle in her eye. God, that face.
“Today of all days, Alan managed to break a finger. He didn’t want to, but Charles insisted they go to the ER.”
“Are you kidding?” Poor Alan.
“He’ll be okay and they’ll be here in half an hour.” Mac takes a breath. “Welcome to my home.” She shifts her weight around awkwardly, as though pondering whether to kiss me hello or not. As though we haven’t done way more than kiss since we saw each other again. “Good to see you.”
It’s nice to hear, although I can’t help but wonder if she really means it. I guess I wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t changed her mind about seeing me again. I stop waiting for her move and take a step toward her. “And you.” I put my hand on her arm and lean in to kiss her on the cheek. It’s all very distant, even a little cold. As though every degree of the heat we shared in Maui stayed firmly on the island.
“Leila and Izzy are always late.” She shrugs as though she accepted that fact a long time ago.
“This place is amazing.” Since I’m not expecting anything resembling a hug from Mac, I walk to the window to take in the magnificent view.
“Thanks.” Mac joins me.
Even though she’s standing a few feet away from me, I can feel her energy radiate. I should ask my burning question while we’re still alone. I might not get a chance later—and she can hardly kick me out now that I’m here.
“May I ask why you had the change of heart?” I turn to look at her face. “About seeing me again?” I somehow manage to sound calm, but on the inside, I’m anything but.
“I made a deal with Leila and Izzy. Izzy agreed to meet Alan and Charles if they got to meet you,” Mac says matter-of-factly.
I don’t really know what to make of that, but accept it without further questions. The most important thing is that Mac was easily swayed by her friends to make this happen. Maybe I’ll get a chance to ask Leila later exactly how easy—or difficult—that was.
“How was the rest of your vacation?” Mac asks.
“Relaxing.” And I couldn’t for a minute stop thinking of you, I think. To stay in the same room where we slept together, in the bed where we woke up together. To sit on the balcony where we had breakfast together. It was all a constant reminder of what we had and what we didn’t. I turn around. “That’s a great picture of you and Suzanne. How is she?”
“Still thinks she’s the mayor of her town. Her seventy-fifth birthday is later this year. I’m planning a huge party.” Mac smiles when she talks about her mother. “How are Clint and Mandy?”
“There are some health issues, but overall, they’re doing okay. They’ve moved in with Brett. He’s taking care of them.”
“Really? Your brother is taking care of your parents? That’s a plot twist I never saw coming.”
“I know. Isn’t life funny that way?”
“Hm,” is all Mac responds.
What’s also funny, or at least a little strange, is that the vibe between Mac and me seems to have gone back to the one we had going on before we slept together—when she told me she didn’t care about how I felt and stormed out of my room. But it doesn’t match up with me being here. Surely, she wouldn’t have invited me against her will just because she struck some sort of deal with Leila and Izzy.
“Champagne?” An actual waiter shows up beside us, carrying a tray with two champagne glasses.
I happily accept one. “I didn’t think it was going to be such a fancy affair tonight.” I tilt my glass in Mac’s direction.
She huffs out some air. “I went a little overboard, as if I’m already trying to make up for any embarrassment Alan might cause with Izzy.” She chuckles. She’s nervous. “I’m also not very skilled at organizing dinner parties. I prefer to attend rather than host.” Some things never change.
“All of that for Alan.”
“Obviously, it’s not just Alan.” Her gaze finds mine, but only for a split second. “It’s you as well, Jamie.”
Ah. We’re both nervous then, just showing it in different ways.
“I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise.” I shoot her a wink, because I might be nervous, but I’m also here. In Mac’s apartment, at her invitation, no matter how it came to be.
“If you bring out extra-charming Jamie, you’ll have Leila and Izzy wrapped around your finger in a heartbeat.”
