Page 70 of Just for Tonight

“It’s not fancy.”

“That sounds even better.”

19

Jake

Careful what you wish for.

I wanted to see Mackenzie and here she is, all breezy and beautiful. Worse, she’s looking for me to convince her to surrender to her mom’s matchmaking plan.

I want the best for her. I don’t want to muck up her life. But come on. That’s too much, even for me.

She drives, which I’m starting to like.

“I’ll guess you heard about Candace.”

Mackenzie laughs a little, just about the sexiest sound in the world. “Yes, I heard you were a hero. Do you want a reward?”

I do, but I don’t say as much. “Just wanted to be sure you were aware of your influence. It’s a dangerous thing to have that kind of power.”

She snorts. “You just agreed with me so you decided to do something. You’re the one who deserves the credit.”

“I don’t think so. I would have let it go.”

“But instead, you came back to Empire and made it right. You did a good thing, Jake.”

Those words make me feel good. “She really had no clue. I would never have expected it. Thanks for telling me.”

There’s a glow of goodwill in the car as she pulls into the burger place. The parking lot is more than half full, even at a comparatively late hour, and I can see that it’s busy. It’s also not fancy and has very few tables to eat in.

I know this place. We used to come here in high school when someone had a car. I’d forgotten all about it, until this moment. I would have assumed it was closed.

“It’s good,” Mackenzie says, mistaking the reason for my stare.

“I know. I remember. Best burgers in town. Hand cut fries. All the toppings you want. Open really late.”

She smiles. “We’ll get it to go and eat at the townhouse.”

“With wine?”

“Of course.”

It’s the kind of place that makes each order individually, so we order and stand around inside, waiting. There’s a gruff guy in command of the kitchen and a number of teenagers working all out. There’s also some laughter and flirting happening, as if arrangements are being made for the rest of the evening after closing.

“Oh my god,” Mackenzie whispers suddenly, then pivots and marches to the ladies’ restroom. I’m surprised that she would have an urgent moment and a bit concerned, then I hear Mike.

“Jake! How did you find this place? I thought it was a local secret.”

“Google is my friend,” I lie. Mike’s with a young girl, who has to be his daughter. “You must be Sierra.”

“You must be my uncle Jake.” She turns to survey the parking lot. “Where’s your car? I heard you have a BMW.”

“It’s in the shop,” I say, which is true. “I have a loaner.”

Mike frowns at the parking lot. “I don’t see it either.” His brows rise. “Hey, but that’s Mackenzie Rhodes’ car. The one with the Rhodes Vineyard logo.”

If people really did get struck by lightning for lying, I’d be a dead man.