Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27528 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“You’re gorgeous, and you’re the only one who doesn’t know it. One hour,” she pointed at me. “Don’t be late.”
The moment my shift was over, I rushed home without checking to see if Mac’s car was parked in his driveway, showered, and changed into jeans, a lightweight sweater, and black ankle boots that made me feel like a sexy badass. I painted my lips red, and when I walked into the pub, I smiled at the sight of Torey, Nix, and Rob seated in a booth with Lee and Mac. Be cool, I told myself as I approached the table. I will not be upset when Mac fawns over Rob. I will not take it personally. They make sense together. We don’t. “Hey.”
“Kayla.” Mac spoke first; his voice was thick and low. “Looking good.”
Don’t blush. Don’t blush. “Thanks, Mac. You always look good.” Dammit, do not blush. I looked around the pub to avoid seeing the varying expressions on my friends’ faces, ranging from what the hell was that to somebody has a crush.
“Take my seat,” Torey insisted as she stood. “Rob and I haven’t caught up in ages.” I didn’t believe that for one second, given the way her blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
I sat down beside Mac and smiled at Nix and Lee. “How’s everyone doing?” I bit down on the inside of my mouth when Mac’s arm brushed against mine.
“Good. The bakery is keeping me busy. How’s the ER?”
“Really good,” I smiled. “Always busy. Always different.”
“Didn’t figure you as a pub-type of girl,” Mac whispered.
I turned, which was a mistake because he was close—too close, and he smelled too good. “It’s the only bar in town.”
“Still,” he shrugged.
“I could say the same about you.”
“Sure.” He arched a brow, and his smile grew a little brighter. How did he do that? “Yet here we are. Both of us.” His gaze held mine hostage—not that I wanted to look away, but the intensity in his gaze was far too engaging. “Can I buy you a drink?”
“Sure,” I shrugged. “I’ll have a—”
“I know exactly what you like. Trust me?”
Yes. “I guess I will. Don’t disappoint me.”
Surprise flashed in his emerald eyes. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I kept my gaze fixed on him as I stood and let him and Lee out of the round booth.
“Damn girl, what was that?” The question came from Rob.
I blinked to clear my vision and turned to find my friends staring at me with shocked expressions. “What was what?” There was no way they saw what I felt in that moment, right? It was one-sided. It had to be.
“What?” Nix laughed. “The sparks that almost set this place on fire!”
I shrugged off her words despite the warmth flowing through my veins. “We’re neighbors.”
“He’s been in town for five minutes,” Torey insisted, that familiar gleam in her eyes.
“There was a pizza delivery mix-up, and we ate dinner together. That’s all.”
“No,” Rob shook her head. “That’s not all. There’s some serious chemistry between you guys, and did you see how he couldn’t take his eyes off you?”
“Don’t, please. I know what I look like and who I am. He’s out of my league, not to mention temporary.” He’d be off on another world tour with women far more beautiful and interesting than me to keep him company.
“So was Ryan,” Torey answered. “Until he wasn’t. In fact, we’re meeting up in Belgium as soon as his latest mission is over.”
That sounded exciting, but I wasn’t the girl who got an exciting whirlwind romance. It was always the same thing with men. I was too boring. Too curvy. Too nerdy. Not exciting enough. And those were regular men, not a millionaire musician. “Belgium seems nice.”
Torey groaned. “Come on, Kayla, he’s really a nice guy.”
“I know that, but I’m not setting myself up for humiliation. Or worse.” I already knew how easy it would be to fall under Mac’s spell, and I knew exactly how that would end: tears and heartache for me, not to mention watching him move on every time I turned on the TV or went to the supermarket.
“Just think about it,” Torey insisted before the guys returned with drinks.
It was all I thought about for most of the evening as Mac showered me with attention: his scent, his big hands, and his beautiful mouth. I wondered how it would feel against my lips, on the rest of my body.
Then I wondered if I could have a casual, temporary fling with my rock star neighbor.
5 MAC
She smelled so good. Like a bouquet with a hint of mint and rosemary, which was really fucking annoying because how in the hell do I even know what rosemary smells like? Because that’s what Kayla did to me. That plump red smile and the way those hazel eyes glittered when she was genuinely amused, it was the total fucking package. I realized as we sat inside the Ol’ St. Nick Pub that for the first time since high school, I had a crush on a girl. No, on a woman because Kayla was all woman.