Page 111 of Rumor Has It

Chapter 24

Mackenzie

“You realize, I’ll probably have to dance with him.” I pull my dress up, hooking it at the waist. I can hear him griping from the other room, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. I grab my shoes and wander through the house to find him moping. “You’re ruining your perfect face. Stop frowning.”

His eyes snap to mine, not lingering long as he roams my body. I’m wearing the shortest scarlet dress I could find. He adjusts himself, biting his bottom lip. “Damn, Kenzie.”

“You likey?” I twirl straight into his arms. I love it when a plan works out. His arms tighten around me.

“How about we stay home, so I can visit what’s under this entirely too short dress.” He waggles his brows.

I slap at his hands as they slide up my thighs. “Later, we need to be sociable. We can hibernate into a sse-induced coma after tonight.”

“What exactly happens to put someone into a sex-induced coma?” He quirks his brow with a coy grin.

I walk toward the door, stopping to shake my ass. “I’m thinking it involves biting and hair pulling.”

“It just so happens, I enjoy both those things.” He raises his brows as my mouth forms a perfect ‘o’.

I freeze, spinning back to him. “Seriously, though. You know he’s going to ask me to dance.”

“It’s just a dance. Do I like it? No, but at the end of the day, you’re coming home with me.” He slides his hand around my waist and pulls me to him. He presses his lips to mine, helping to settle all of my nerves.

***

We stand at the entrance of the convention center, waiting to register. My nerves are getting the better of me, and my breath hitches. Boone grips my hand, and I latch on.

“Please don’t let go.” I search his eyes, praying he does just that and never let’s go.

He leans in, softly kissing me. “We’re going to be fine.”

We enter the ballroom, hand in hand. Thankfully, the first people we run into are of the friendly kind. Riley smiles, waving us over to their table. Chord Hamilton and his wife, Sarah, are sitting with them.

Riley stands, hand out. “Hey, y’all.”

“What’s up, people.” Boone shakes his hand before taking Chord’s. They’ve been friends longer than Boone and I have.

Riley steps around Boone, kissing me on my cheek. “You look fantastic, Mack. This is my wife, Ava.”

“Thank you.” I smile, reaching for Ava. “I remember Ava. It’s great to see you again.”

“Maisyn has kept us in the loop. We need to catch up sometime.” Ava takes my hand, pulling me into a hug.

I nod. “Sounds great! She’s always going on about your ‘Tribe Trips’.”

“Mack.” Chord wraps his arms around me, hugging me tight. “It’s been a minute.”

“I’ve missed all of you so much; it’s good to see you.”

He steps to the side. “My wife, Sarah.”

“Look at you!” I take her hand, shaking it. “And all this time we thought you were a blow-up doll in his closet.”

“Oh, he still has one of those too.” She giggles.

“I’m right here, ladies.” Chord gapes.

Boone sticks his head in. “So, we weren’t wrong after all.”