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“I’d love that.” My heart was galloping in my chest. This was real. He wasn’t backing out. If anything, he was moving forward. I was excited to get to know the real Mac, the one who’d been holding himself back, protecting himself from heartbreak.
“Was there something that changed your mind last night?” We’d discussed it a bit, but I was curious about his thought process.
“I realized I couldn’t run from this. I couldn’t escape who and what you represent in my life.”
“And what’s that?”
“Something amazing. Maybe even my future. If I don’t pursue this, I’ll never forgive myself.”
Tingles erupted over my skin despite the unseasonably warm weather for March in Telluride. “You have a way with words.”
“I’ve been holding them inside.”
I got it then. He was afraid to speak his truth because it had been thrown back in his face so many times. He was a good man. He deserved someone who’d cherish him. “You don’t have to be afraid with me.” It came out as a whisper because I was positive he didn’t want anyone to hear him being vulnerable.
“I’m working on it.” He kissed me lightly and then said with a wink, “Let’s start with lunch.”
“Do you need me to pick up food?” I asked him.
“I’ve got it covered. You just need to show up in the backyard at one.”
“How romantic,” I teased as I walked toward the front door.
He held a hand over his chest. “I’m trying here, but I’m in the middle of this huge renovation for a high-maintenance client.”
I tipped my head to the side. “High maintenance, huh? Is that how you see me?”
He moved toward me, and my heart picked up again. “Not at all. You’re perfect.”
“We should get to work.” My body was on board with sneaking him into my suite and having my way with him, but I wanted him to make the next move. I wanted him to be sure.
“You’re distracting,” he said.
“And you love it,” I said, holding my breath that he would take it for the lighthearted words I meant. Carter had always been very serious, not interested in flirtations or romantic gestures. He loved to say he was a realist, and I didn’t realize how much I hated it until now.
“Absolutely,” he said as he kissed me again.
The morning flew by as I tried to concentrate on work while reminiscing about what happened last night. I only wanted to date a man worth my time, and Mac seemed like he was worth the effort. He was a family man who kept his promises. He’d proved he would put Delaney first, and I was looking forward to seeing where this could go.
I was lost in Piper’s recent template for the website, making notes and thinking about the best way to present everything, when my phone buzzed.
Mac: Did you forget about lunch?
Glancing at the clock on the computer, I saw it was 1:10. “Oh no.”
Natalie: Sorry! I’m coming.
I closed my laptop and stored it in the locked drawer before hurrying through the house and out the back door. It was even warmer than it was this morning on the porch. It was the perfect day to eat outside.
Instead of eating on the picnic table, Mac had spread a blanket on the ground nearby. Hurrying over, I said, “I’m sorry. I lost track of time.”
Mac kissed me. “Don’t worry about it. It gave me time to set everything up. Come sit. I’m starving.”
“Me too,” I said, sitting next to him.
Mac opened the picnic basket and pulled out strawberries, cheese, crackers, sandwiches, and a box of chocolates.
“You thought of everything,” I said as he handed me a sandwich.
