CHAPTER 17
If the past few weeks had taught Mackenzie anything, it was that taking on one Kane was difficult.
Taking on two?Heck no!
The sheer amount of charm and testosterone one Kane could put off was enough to send a girl’s head spinning. Or maybe that was anxiety she felt at the thought of two Kanes in her house.
Everything had changed so quickly, Mackenzie hadn’t had a chance to catch her breath.
Which was the only reason she could come up with for why she’d agreed to this ridiculous situation. One minute she was adamant that Wade didn’t need to change his dinner plans. The next, she was sliding into a waiting town car and being whisked down the interstate as if she were the queen of England.
If Hunter hadn’t sounded so excited about how his meeting had gone, she wouldn’t have agreed to the arrangement. But she was certain the label had loved the new direction, and she didn’t want her nerves to ruin Hunter’s big night.
Yet she couldn’t control the growing uncertainty.
“I guess this is how the elite roll, Muttley,” Mackenzie said, her voice disappearing into the vastness of the back seat.
Maybe that was the problem. Apart from Muttley, who had his butt on the leather seat and his face pressed to the window, Mackenzie had the entire back of the car all to herself. The driver, Mike, had even closed the privacy window.
Mike had been uneasy about the whole situation. She’d sensed it in the way his body tensed as he’d cupped her elbow to help her into the car. Then again in his tone when he’d asked if someone else would be accompanying her.
Mackenzie wasn’t sure if the disappointment stemmed from her plus-one having four paws and the potential for drooling on the leather seats. Or if he was afraid his fare might need something he was incapable of providing. But Mike’s rush to get her out of his hair made Mackenzie’s stomach clench.
She was used to Arthur, who was a Titans fan and dog lover and drove an ancient El Camino. With Arthur, they’d chat about music, his brother, and what kind of fish was biting that day. He didn’t care if Muttley got fur on the upholstery or that Mackenzie was blind.
Mike was young, too formal, and—like most guys—terrified of feeling inept. When she’d asked if she could sit in the front seat, the driver had been so flustered she’d laughed it off and graciously let him place her and Muttley in the back.
Hunter intended for her to arrive relaxed and pampered, but the whole ordeal had left her feeling vulnerable. She resisted the urge to call and cancel. She’d effectively canceled the past few years of her life, and she was determined to finally start living again.
“Rule number one,” she mumbled to herself. “Life is unpredictable.”
Things happen, plans change, but big girls keep on moving. Today, Mackenzie was a big girl. She even had on the panties to prove it.
The car slowed as the privacy window whirred down. “We’re here, ma’am. Just hold tight for a second and I’ll come around with an umbrella, so you arrive dry.”
“Thank you,” she said and took Muttley’s harness. As promised, Mike came around and opened her door. “Is Hunter here?”
“I don’t see him, but he might be waiting inside. It’s really coming down.” He took her elbow and assisted her out.
Rain splattered at her feet as they walked up on the curb. Three steps in and Muttley pressed firmly against her side, not guiding her forward but corralling her back.
“Nope, we’re not going back in the car,” she said.
A whine started low in Muttley’s throat.
“Then stand under the umbrella.”
Muttley wasn’t having any of it. Not only did he step farther out from under the umbrella, but he tugged Mackenzie with him. Then barked, as if telling her that he was the one giving the directions today.
Muttley gave another bark. This one was loud and threatening and sent a wave of unease rolling down Mackenzie’s spine. Before she could calm her dog, chaos exploded around her.
An army of shoes slapped against the wet surface, and a loud clicking surrounded her from all directions. Muttley sounded off, his barks echoing through the alley.
“What’s your name?” a forceful voice shouted from her right.
“What is your relationship to Hunter Kane?” This question came from someone standing directly in front of her.
“Mike?” Mackenzie spun around to reach for her driver’s arm.
