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If Grant were deciding my role, I’d probably be responsible for one of the distractions since those are the safest positions. But I’m with Mack instead, so I’m part of one of the assault teams.
Five years ago, on that morning I spent waging social war with Melanie Brubaker, the idea of my being part of an actual attack would have made me laugh my head off.
The world has changed. Everything’s changed.
And I’ve changed with it.
I’m nervous and restless and trying not to think about Grant on the drive to the bunker. Mack is driving a pickup truck. I’m in the passenger seat, and Gail is in the back with a gun at the ready, just in case we encounter anyone.
“You scared?” Mack asks after a stretch of silence.
“Yes. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“You’ll do great. You might look like a movie star, but I can tell you know what you’re doing.”
I smile up at him, genuinely surprised by his words. “I don’t look like a movie star.”
“Sure, you do. Why do you think everyone stares at you when you walk into a room?”
“People don’t stare at me.” I’m frowning now, focusing on a spot in the empty air as I think about what he’s said. “They don’t treat me different than anyone else.”
He laughs, low and warm and relaxed. “If you say so.”
“What are you talking about? I’m not that… that…” I trail off, mostly because I’m too embarrassed to get anything more coherent out.
“All I’m saying is, gorgeous as you are, I don’t envy Grant. Talk about pressure. It’s no wonder the poor guy is running himself ragged trying to keep you safe.”
My mouth is still turned down, but it’s mostly from the way my mind is racing to catch up. “In the bunker, he put out the word that I was off-limits. For dating or anything like that. We weren’t together or anything back then. He just wanted to keep everyone away from me.”
“I’m sure that sucked for you, but it wasn’t a bad idea. How would you have felt if you’d been hit on by one person after another—everywhere you went? Especially since there are a lot of guys who wouldn’t have taken no for an answer.”
“That’s what he said.”
“Were you pissed with him because of it?”
“Of course I was pissed. Who wants to live in some sort of enforced bubble?”
“No one. But it was an unnatural situation. Not sure there were any good choices there.”
I sigh and slump back in my seat. “Yeah. I guess. But still…” I don’t finish the thought.
Mack glances over at me curiously. He’s got dark eyes that radiate warmth and intelligence. It’s impossible not to like him. “You still holding that against him?”
“No. I actually haven’t thought about it for a long time. But I spent years having absolutely no idea how he feels about anything, and recently he’s told me a little more. So I’m just trying to put all the pieces together.”
“Ah. Makes sense. Just don’t be too hard on him.”
I stiffen my shoulders. “I’m not too hard on him! But he’s got to trust me. Really trust me. Otherwise, how will we ever…” I don’t finish that thought either. It reveals too much.
It’s easy to talk to Mack, but I really don’t know him that well.
“Give him time. He’ll get there.”
“That’s what Faith said.”
“Faith knows what she’s talking about.”
“Yeah. I’m sure.” I give my head a shake and decide I want to change the subject. After all, we’ll reach our destination in less than thirty minutes, and then there’s no knowing what will come next. “What is Mack short for? Mackenzie?”
