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Falling into the space between my legs, his hands immediately go to my hips. “So, what did you think?”
“She thinks you’re an angel,” Lexy yells from the other side of the bar.
“Hey those were her words, not mine. But seriously, I feel like I don’t even know you, Mack Andrew Torres!”
“Well, for starters, my middle name is Ryden.” He’s amused. It occurs to me I now know this tidbit about Mack I never learned about Dean.
“Is it really, though?” I scrunch up my nose before leaning in for a kiss. “You’re amazing. You know how I feel about live music, but that was…”
He grins, taking the compliment well, before kissing me again when he realizes I’m not going to finish my sentence. It’s like we broke the seal when he kissed me in his apartment, and there’s no going back now. I want more of all of it. “I want to know all the things about you right now.”
“We’ve got plenty of time, babe.” He leans over the bar to where Lexy digs for something in the fridge.
“Sorry, Lex, I’d stay and help you close, but…”
“Yeah, yeah get out of here.” She waves us away. “See you soon, Maci!”
By the time we get back to Mack’s apartment, it’s nearly two in the morning. Between traveling, the excitement of seeing him and the two very strong drinks Lexy made for me, I’m tired, but I want to make the most of my time here.
I chug a glass of water, hoping it will help wake me up a bit while Mack showers. I check my phone and see a check-in text from Avery. She’s probably asleep by now, so I’ll text her back in the morning.
Mack comes out of his room in plaid pajama bottoms, the band of his briefs peeking out at the top and his dark hair is sticking up everywhere from being towel dried. He looks good. I sit from where I was lying on the couch to get a better view of his abs. Damn. He walks over and sits next to me, and I turn to sit criss-cross facing him.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” His hands fall to my knees.
“Me too.” My hands are folded in my lap, like I’m an awkward teenager who doesn’t know what to do around the guy she has a crush on.
“So, how was Lexy? She’s cool. I thought you two might get along.”
“Yeah, I like her a lot. I didn’t get to talk with her much because you have some crazy fans.”
“That’s L.A. for you. It’s a wild card on any given night around here.”
“Sure is good for people watching. A lot of people who might have wanted to jump you even more than I did,” I laugh. “Is that why you haven’t brought any girls around before?” The words tumble out of me before my 2 a.m. brain can focus enough to filter my thoughts.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have left you alone with Lexy,” he chuckles, rubbing his hands up my thighs. “What did she say?”
“Nothing really. Just that she’s never seen you bring a girl around before. It’s confusing to me because the more I learn about you, the more I like you.”
That makes him smile, and he answers the question I didn’t ask. “Things weren’t great when I first moved here, and I had the wrong priorities. I mostly play music and do my own thing now.”
I stop myself before pressing for details about what it was like when he first got to California. “But you hang out with Lexy a lot?”
“Yeah, usually after my shows. We go to the beach once or twice a week too. I’m glad I have her here.” He pauses for a second. “Just as a friend.” He’s looking at me like he’s concerned I might be worried. I wasn’t, but I’m happy he cares about easing any of my possible fears.
When I smile back at him and shake my head to let him know I’m not worried, he continues. “I didn’t decide until recently I was ready for a relationship again and haven’t found anyone worth bringing around until you. Even that was unexpected. At first I thought Avery was joking when she called me last month wanting a favor.”
“A favor?” My eyebrows scrunch together in confusion.
He laughs. “Yeah, she asked if I could sweep her best friend off her feet when I came to visit. I brushed her off until she convinced me she was serious. She told me you had been kind of depressing to be around lately and thought I could be the cure. I thought she was being a little dramatic, and I wouldn’t have considered it if it was anyone else. Then I felt a little guilty like maybe we were tricking you. But you’ve always been there in the back of my mind. I honestly didn’t know you were single. I couldn’t imagine why you would be. Once she insisted, I knew I had to at least see you when I was in Oregon for her engagement.”
“I don't want you to think you’re a rebound for me,” I trail off into a whisper, embarrassed, but wanting to be upfront with him.
“You don’t have to talk about it again if you’d rather not.”
“It’s okay. You know, you being so forward has been refreshing. Despite communication not always being my strong suit, I have never been with someone I’ve felt I could be completely open and myself with in the first place. I don’t want to attempt a relationship that makes me feel unsure about who I should be. Not that we are in a relationship yet,” I add, looking to gauge his reaction to what I’m saying. His face doesn’t give away anything except he’s listening. “Maybe my idea of what a relationship should be is skewed because the one I’m most familiar with is Avery and Miller. They seem to love each other so well, you know?” I can see in his new smile he’s thankful for the love his sister found. It’s one of the things I’ve already decided I love most about him.
“We could be, ya know, in a relationship.”
