Page 111 of Just for Tonight

“No, you’re going above and beyond, because that’s what you do. You give a hundred and ten percent when you believe something is the right thing to do, and you don’t care what it costs you personally to do that. You don’t want to get involved with someone because you hate compromise as much as I do, and you don’t want to potentially sell someone short, especially not someone you love. You don’t want to ever fail anyone you care about. I respect that. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t ever love anyone, or that you can’t ever take a chance on love.”

She’s making too much sense, but I’m still determined to step away. “It won’t work, Mackenzie.”

“Why won’t it work? Why can’t it work? I like you. I like how you listen and I like how you change your course with more information and I like how I can count on you to always have my back. I really like making love with you.”

I open my mouth and close it again, because I can’t argue with that.

Mackenzie continues. “It’s never been better, and that’s because it’s not just sex.” She puts her hand on my chest when I’d argue that and I surrender. “You don’t have to admit it out loud. I know and you know and this has never been a fling. I know you’re afraid to disappoint me, but I think we can figure it out together.”

“It’s impossible,” I repeat. “You’re here and I’m there…”

“I would give up Rhodes Vineyards to be with you.”

I catch my breath, thinking I must have heard wrong. Her gaze is steady and sure, though, so I know I didn’t. “And that would destroy you, which would be my fault. You’d hate my guts within three years.”

“I don’t think so. I think it might be worth it.” She smiles, just a little, twisting my guts into knots. “I think you might be worth it.” That declaration makes me dizzy. “I certainly would rather know than spend my life wondering.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking. I’m offering.” She eases closer, but I keep my hands at my sides. If I touch her, I’ll be gone and the battle will be lost.

I will not be the asshole who breaks Mackenzie Rhodes’ heart.

“I want to be the woman you’ll do anything for,” she whispers, her gaze searching mine, her hands sliding to my shoulders. “Because I know you’re the man I’ll do anything for. It doesn’t make sense that we would fail to make each other happy.”

“I think it’s inevitable.”

“Because you’re afraid.” She gives me a poke. “You’re afraid to take a risk and find out the truth. Or maybe you’re afraid to find out that you’re wrong.”

“I won’t risk you,” I say with heat and step away from her. I have to look away. I don’t want her to know how much I’m tempted.

Fortunately, the bell rings again because the pizza has arrived. I feel Mackenzie behind me as I give the kid a tip. When I close the door with the box in hand, Mackenzie is still watching me.

“I love you,” she says again and it’s no less incredible the second time. “I’m not going to fall in love with anyone else, but it would be nice if you didn’t consider your options forever.”

And she walks past me to the door.

“That’s it?”

“What else is there to say?” she says, then opens the door and leaves. I stand there and watch her start her car, watch her back out of the driveway and drive away. She doesn’t look back.

She didn’t overwhelm me with her touch.

She just made her case and left me with a lot to think about.

A thing with Mackenzie. A part of me is screaming ‘yes yes yes’, but the smarter part of me is sure it can only end in disaster.

I’m not sure anything could be worth that.

Funny. I was starving but now this pizza is the last thing I want.

32

Mackenzie

And that’s done.

I’m shaking when I drive back to Empire, but I’ve had my say and it’s up to Jake now. I rehearsed what I wanted to say and I said it, and that’s all I can do.