Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 82747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
"We have sex," I say with a shrug, feeling a little weird to be having this conversation with more than just Sage. I haven't really had a close-knit group of female friends in a very long time, but I like the idea of being able to discuss things with people who are in committed relationships since I have almost no experience at all.
"No," Madison says, pointing a finger at me. "It's more than that."
"Spill," Adalynn demands.
I continue to work, grateful to have something to do with my hands as I talk.
"We hooked up a few weeks ago. Then I went to his house to make a meal for the McGees."
"Please don't burn my kitchen down," Madison says absently as if she just remembered rumors about what happened at Mac's house that night.
"Don't seduce me when I have something cooking on the stove," I tell her with a wink, smiling when one spreads clear across her face.
"So that's what happened?" Madison asks as she leans in even closer.
"That's what happened," I respond. "Then we hooked up again. After that, he tried to blackmail me."
"What?" Adalynn snaps, angry in my defense.
"Well, he said my bed was comfortable, and he hated staying at the hotel. Blah, blah."
"All because he wanted to be close to her," Sage interjects.
"Is that true?" Madison asks. "Are you dating now?"
"You saw how he was last night," Adalynn says. "He all but peed a circle around her."
Madison snaps her hand toward her best friend. "That imagery is so gross."
"He said I was his last night," I blurt.
"His?" Sage repeats with a wide grin. "He claimed you like-"
I point a finger at her, halting her from speaking further. "This is my life, not a romance novel."
"My life is like a romance novel," Adalynn says.
"Mine, too," Madison adds with a quick shrug.
"I don't even know what it means," I mutter as I walk to the sink to rinse my hands.
"Yes, you do," Sage says. "You know exactly what it means. You're just scared."
"Of course I'm scared. He said he wanted to take care of me. I don't need to be taken care of."
"I don't think he means that he feels a need to rescue you right now," Madison adds, her tone a little softer.
"But he would if you needed it," Adalynn interjects. "Even if you didn't want it."
"That man is full-on in love with you," Sage says.
"That man just doesn't want to lose his bedroom in my house until his house is functional again," I mutter.
"He didn't have to claim you to keep staying there," Sage clarifies.
I know she's right. Even if I would've demanded that he leave, I would've caved if he begged me not to make him go.
"Cash is territorial. I think he'd risk losing his job by beating someone up if they tried to flirt with me," Adalynn explains.
"I have no doubt Chase would do the same and then smile in his mug shot," Madison adds.
Sage points at both women as if they're speaking the possible and can't be contradicted. "And that is exactly what I thought last night when he walked up to you, wrapped his arms around you, and kissed you like you were the only person in the room."
"But then he got in the car and didn't say a word," I disclose.
"And it freaked you out?" Sage asks.
"Maybe he was freaked out," Adalynn says. "Mac has been around town his entire life like I have. I can't recall a single time when he was in a serious relationship. He may not know how to navigate this himself."
"Mac could have anyone he wants," I murmur, slapping the hand towel over my shoulder before grabbing a block of cheese to grate.
"He clearly wants you. And before you say one derogatory word about yourself, you need to think twice. I won't allow it." Madison narrows her eyes at me as if daring me to counter her. "I get being scared. I think I was terrified when Chase told me how he felt. If you don't recall when we were all in school, I was so in love with him that I couldn't see straight, and now that I'm thinking about it, weren't you just as infatuated with Mac?"
"Yes!" Adalynn says with a snap of her fingers as if it just triggered something in her mind. "You hooked up with him at that party!"
"I kissed him in a closet," I clarify. "And then he acted like he didn't know who I was."
"Ouch," Madison says. "About as bad as Chase ruffling my hair like I was a little brat after he forgot he told me he'd take me to the dance."
"But look at her now," Adalynn says, pointing at her friend's swollen belly. "In love, married, and they have a baby on the way. And I had a very similar situation with Cash. I never thought we were going to get together."