“As for the bachelor weekend, I cut out two days early,” she added.
“It was a three-day trip.”
“The guys were talking about going to a strip club. I don’t do strippers.”
“That’s a shame.” His eyes roamed down her body, slowly coming to a stop at her heels. “Because you in those shoes with a stripper would have made for one hell of a bachelor party.”
Even though she knew he was teasing her, an unwelcome but all too familiar heat surged through her body. When it reached her cheeks, she smacked him in the chest, averting his attention.
Unrequited love sucked—but not nearly as much as it would if he learned about her feelings the night before his wedding. She smacked him again.
“Ow,” he said. “And I don’t do strippers either.” She rolled her eyes. “Okay, well, just that one time in Tuscaloosa, but she was in grad school and liked Merle Haggard, and we dated for almost a month.” Which before Hadley would have been considered a serious relationship for Hunter. “Plus, I’m not that guy anymore. I’m getting married tomorrow, and my best friend won’t even give me one dance before she cuts tail.”
“Brody is your best friend.”
“He isn’t wearing a dancing dress.”
Hunter’s fingers slowly slid around to her lower back and pulled her farther into his grasp, his strength enveloping her. She’d relied on it, and after her recent diagnosis, she needed it with a desperation that consumed her. That was the excuse she gave herself for allowing her head to fall gently against his chest, resting there.
“One dance with the girl who knows my every move,” he whispered. “That’s all I’m asking for.”
One last dance,she told herself.
Mackenzie breathed in his scent—yummy male with a punch of high-octane testosterone, and a sweetness that was addictive. The last time he’d held her like this was the night her mother had died. Hunterhad brought her to his place, given her a shoulder to cry on, and promised her he’d be with her every step of the way.
Her mother’s death had been the most painful experience of Mackenzie’s life. Even more heartbreaking than watching the funny, bright woman she admired slowly lose her sight and her independence.
Her mother’s blindness had defined both of their lives. For Susan it had meant the end of an accomplished career as a professor of photography at the local university. For Mackenzie it had meant becoming her mom’s eyes to the outside world.
A job that, had Mackenzie taken it more seriously, could have stopped her mother from stepping into the crosswalk.
Could have, should have, would have.The story of Mackenzie’s life.
“I don’t feel much like dancing,” she said, stepping back. “I just came to tell you how happy I am for you and that you deserve every ounce of love that comes your way.” She looked into those blue pools. “You’re a good man.”
He studied her long and hard, until she felt the tears she’d been holding back start to surface.
“You look pale. Is it another migraine?” If only he knew how far off the mark he was. “What did the doctor say?”
“That in a short time everything will be normal,” she lied, and the dread she’d been carrying since her diagnosis slammed hard in the pit of her stomach. This would be the last time she’d ever see Hunter’s face or watch his eyes darken with emotion.
And this would be the last time she’d ever be able to look up at the man who owned her heart.
“Does it hurt now?” He cupped her cheek.
His hand felt smooth and comforting, while the calluses on his musician’s fingers made tiny shivers scatter across her bare skin. She swallowed several times before she spoke, praying she wouldn’t sound as fragile as she felt. Because Mackenzie didn’t do fragile. And Hunter knew that.
“My head’s fine,” she said.
She couldn’t feel anything over the aching in her heart. Hunter’s genuine concern only made it worse. No one cared for her like he did, and now that he was getting married, taking care of her would be inappropriate.
She’d always known that Hunter could never be hers. But now it was a fact.
The weeks that followed the announcement of his engagement had dragged by, and her grief had turned to a dull longing. Hanging in the background of her every breath was the constant reminder of the changes that would surely come. And losing Hunter wasn’t the only change headed her way.
Gone would be the closeness they shared, the comfortable silent moments and the pee-your-pants-laughing ones. The ones that were so intense no words were needed to express their awesomeness.
But a ring was in play. And in less than twenty-four hours, vows were to be exchanged. This had to be goodbye.
