Page 36 of Trying Not to Need You

“Here to pick up my date,” I tell him as he steps back and motions for me to step inside out of the cold.

Copeland spreads his legs apart and crosses his arms over his chest. “What are your intentions with my sister?” He tries to glare at me but ends up smirking.

Copeland and I have been friends since we were kids in elementary school. The four of us guys have been close for years, and we both know that if I’m here, I’m here because I’m all in.

“Copeland!” Baylor scolds as she steps into the room. “I heard that. Back away from Macklin slowly,” she teases. She doesn’t stop until she’s standing next to me.

“Hey, you,” I say softly, leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek. My hand finds its way to the small of her back, and she leans into me just slightly. Then again, maybe it’s all in my head, and I just wish she were leaning into my touch.

“We’re leaving. Don’t wait up,” Baylor tells Copeland.

“Is this really happening?” he asks, chuckling. “Are you two going on a date?”

“I told you we were having dinner,” Baylor tells him as I help her into her coat. “Come on, Cope. Don’t pretend you don’t already know,” Baylor tells him. “I know that Ellie tells you everything.”

Copeland answers with a cheesy grin. “I wasn’t supposed to know. I was playing the part.”

“What part of you not knowing was you asking Macklin’s intentions?” she asks, hands on her hips. Puffy coat and all, she still looks sexy as hell.

“Fine, fine, I concede defeat. You two crazy kids have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Oh, so don’t sleep together, fight, and end up pregnant and married? Got it,” Baylor sasses.

Copeland’s grin never wavers. “Actually, I highly recommend it. Best thing to ever happen to me.” He winks. “Now, off you go.” He waves us away.

“Ready?” I ask Baylor, chuckling at my best friend, but also a little envious that he’s living the dream life with the woman he loves. I can only hope I’m on that same path.

“Yeah,” she says softly. “I’m ready.”

Deciding to press my luck, I reach down and lace her fingers with mine. She doesn’t pull away, which has me slowing my gait for the walk to my truck. When I reach forward and pull the door open for her, she glances over at me and smiles.

“You don’t have to open doors for me, Macklin.”

“That’s all a part of the package,” I tell her.

“What package?”

“The Macklin McBride package, tailored to you and only you.”

“Smooth, cowboy, real smooth,” she teases, before gripping the assist handle, or the oh-shit handle as I like to call it, and heaves herself up into my truck.

I wait for her to get settled before closing the door and heading to the driver’s side. Next stop, pick up the pizza, and then home for a night of hanging out with my girl.

“What’s all of this?” Baylor asks as I lead her into the house.

“This is where we’re going to eat pizza, watch whatever you decide you want to watch, and where you’ll consume the largest chocolate sundae, with extra whipped cream, that you’ll ever see.”

“Macklin, this is a pillow fort, or pillow oasis.” She turns to look at me, and her eyes are sparkling with happiness, which makes my afternoon rush to get this all together more than worth it.

“Oh, it gets better. Once you’re settled, I’ll dim the lights and light the candles.”

“Really?” Her eyes brighten even more, and I’m mentally patting myself on the back. “I can’t believe you did all of this.”

“I told you that all you had to do was give me a chance to show you.”

“This is…” Her voice trails off. I watch her throat bob before she tries again. “You know I don’t need this, right? I don’t need you to open doors for me or make big, romantic gestures.”

“You don’t need it, but I do. I like opening your door, and this”—I wave my hand around the living room—“was a blast, making my vision come to life, just at the mere thought of seeing a smile on your face. And I have to tell you, Bay, the real thing is so much better than I could have imagined.”