by Lynn Stevens
It wasn’t technically summer, but Mother Nature gave zero shits about the seasons in Louisiana. It was either mildly hot, hot, or oh-hell-no hot. That was all they got. Not that Macie complained too much. She’d rather have hot than a blizzard.
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Come over around nine. Lauren was always polite when she wanted Macie to come over. This was more of a command. That meant something was up. Macie texted back that she’d be there.
It was only twelve-thirty. Her work study at the library started at one. She had to walk across campus to her dorm and drop off her bag. Hopefully her bitch of a roommate would be nowhere in sight. Macie had lucked out with Lauren through her junior year. When Lauren and Ford decided to share an apartment for their senior year, Macie got screwed. Jackie had been a nightmare since day one. She was messy, loud, and had no problem putting a white towel on the doorknob when she was screwing the basketball team. Macie couldn’t care less about who Jackie entertained, but it made it almost impossible for Macie to get anything done in her own room. She’d spent far too much time at the library these past two semesters.
“Hey, Mace. Wait up,” a voice shouted behind her.
She turned around and smiled. Kyle Capshaw was in most of her classes. Like her, his major was graphic design. Unlike her, he wasn’t that great at it. Also unlike her, he already had a job. She hadn’t figured that one out yet. Then again, Macie was holding out hope that her internship at Rivot Design would turn into an offer. Macie wasn’t afraid of a gamble. She’d only applied to Lafayette, knowing she’d get in. She just knew in her heart that Rivot Design was where she belonged. She was all-in, even if it wasn’t the smartest move.
“What’s up?” Macie asked as Kyle fell into step beside her.
“Can you believe we’re almost done?” He huffed as if the short distance between them had stolen his breath. Kyle wasn’t exactly in shape. His form leaned more toward basement dweller than athlete, but over the last few years he’d started to trim down, and his face cleared up. His glasses even shrunk in size to something more fashionable than the Coke bottles he wore that covered his pale green eyes.
Macie chided herself for being so damn judgmental. “Crazy, right?”
Kyle nodded and shot a glance at her from the corner of his eye. She knew that look. Too well. He’d asked her out twice this semester. He was due. Sometimes she wondered if he asked because he had also asked out Meghan Hanson, another graphic design major. Meghan also shot him down multiple times. She shook it off, though. Kyle wasn’t that big of a dick.
“So, what’re you doing later?” His voice hitched on the last word. Hope filled his face, making her smile.
What could it hurt? One date. That’s all he ever asked. In a few weeks, they’d probably never see each other again. And he wasn’t that bad. He was sweet, kind of like a lost kitten. “I’m heading over to the library for a shift now.” She paused as his face dropped. “But I’ll be free later. Coffee?”
Kyle’s eyes widened. “Serious?”
“As a heart attack.” She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and put a hand on his forearm. “Java Junkies at eight?”
“I was thinking something more ... date-like.” Kyle dipped his head as a blush covered his cheeks. “Dinner? I’ll pick you up at seven, and we can go to Peking Palace?”
That was a little more commitment than Macie wanted to make, but why the hell not? It wasn’t like she had any other plans. Except to stay home and message a virtual stranger on Blind Friends. Of course, that was more complicated than her friendship with Kyle. Over the last week, she’d thought about nothing other than meeting Guy, as she’d started calling him. They’d been communicating for months. Why shouldn’t they meet? It wasn’t like she didn’t want to. But it was that fear of failure buried deep inside her. The same fear she’d already shared. She didn’t want to fail with him.
Kyle smiled as worry crossed over his face.
“Sounds good,” she said at last. A night out wouldn’t kill her. She could just pretend it wasn’t a real date, because it wasn’t really, and have friend with a nice guy. “But I’m paying for myself.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up then.” Kyle back away. A huge grinned covered his face. “Oh, and Macie, I miss the purple hair.”
Macie faked a smile and realized her mistake. He’d want another date. Then another. Then another. That was something she couldn’t give him. Not that Macie didn’t want a boyfriend. It wasn’t in the cards for her. Just like her mom who’d raised Macie on her own and never asked anyone for help after her biological father split when Macie barely had a heartbeat. Macie never knew him. She never wanted to either.
Besides, there was Guy. The messages between them were more real than any relationship she’d ever had. Even if he wasn’t real. Well, real in a virtual way, and Macie knew he was flesh and blood, but it was easier to think of him as code sometimes. That kept him at a safe distance. Sometimes it felt like he was programmed for her and her alone.
She wanted to learn more about Guy. Kyle wasn’t even slightly interesting. God, she felt like such an asshole for accepting. Macie glanced toward where he had gone. She should cancel. In the two minutes since she accepted, he’d disappeared.
Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the message and almost laughed.
Are you seriously going out w/ Kyle? Lauren asked.
Let me guess. Facebook? Macie texted back.
Twitter. Lauren added a winky emoji.
Word gets around fast. Yes, but I will be at your place by nine. Macie hit send and checked the time. She was going to be late for work.
ZAC WASHED HIS HANDS and stared at himself in the bathroom mirror. He had a date tonight. The problem was he wasn’t sure if he wanted to get out of it or not. Emily’s legs stretched longer than the Pacific Coast Highway and were just as gorgeous. She was an all-American blond hair, blue eyed bombshell. They’d met at a bar a few weeks ago and he’d asked her out then. If he really wanted to admit it, he’d been a little drunk and had felt a little rejected by his pen-pal. Which was stupid. She hadn’t responded to his message, and he felt dumped. To make it worse, when he got home after his debauchery, there was a message waiting for him about her love of cats. He didn’t even know his mystery girl, and yet, she knew him on a deep level. Even if she didn’t know it.
His. He needed to stop calling her that.
The doorbell rang, and he closed his eyes. To make his current situation worse, Macie had arrived at Lauren and Ford’s apartment. That woman infuriated him just by being in the same room. Unfortunately, she was Lauren’s best friend and her maid of honor. He shook off his doubt and strolled down the short hall just in time to see Macie step past the door. She may piss him off, but she was damn fine to look at. Her cinnamon brown hair flowed around her elegant face and highlighted her brown eyes. Macie Regan exuded darkness, but her smile brightened an entire room. When he’d first met her, he thought she was perfect with her exotic looks and purple hair. He thought she’d be fun and exciting. Her personality shot down that theory.
“Great,” he said, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Gang’s all here. How’s it going, Chomper?”
“Peachy keen.” Macie’s gaze iced over as Zac shot her a fiery glare. “Thanks for the warning, Lauren.”
Lauren held up her hands. “If I told you he was going to be here, you would’ve made any excuse to get out of coming over. Besides, this involves both of you.”
She sat beside Ford on the couch. That left their loveseat open. Zac preferred to stand. He leaned against the wall. “Then let’s get on with it. I’ve got plans.”
Macie rolled her eyes. “You say that like you’re the only one.” She shook her head, and Zac admired the way her hair swung around like a shampoo commercial. Macie turned her attention back to her friend.
“Wait, didn’t you have a date?” Lauren asked, her face lighting up. “Tell.”
“No,” Macie snapped. Her olive skin
reddened with a blush. Zac knew that look. He’d seen Macie get embarrassed more than once. “Move on.”
“Oh, if you won’t tell, I’ll find out on my own.” Lauren pulled out her phone and pressed a few buttons. Macie didn’t try to stop her, much to Zac’s surprise. Lauren’s mouth twisted in disgust. “What an asshole.”
“Drop it, Lauren,” Macie snapped again, her eyes darkening.
“I can’t believe he stood you up,” Lauren said, ignoring Macie’s order.
“Who?” Ford asked just as Zac let out a laugh.
Everyone turned to Zac. Wisely, he ducked his head, but he couldn’t stop laughing inside. Macie didn’t date very often since their sophomore year. Sure, she flirted a lot, but she rarely made serious plans with a guy. She wouldn’t have agreed unless it was a sure thing. Zac knew he shouldn’t laugh, but he couldn’t help it. Macie hadn’t stopped laughing in his face when a date stood him up before Thanksgiving last year. Zac had resigned himself to drinking alone at Hoof, a local bar near campus, only to find Macie serving drinks behind the bar. And she had laughed hard at him. A pillow hit him in the chest.
“Fuck off, Zac,” Macie said. Her voice held all the anger she could muster as tears rimmed her eyes. He almost apologized, but Macie turned away from him and stared at Lauren. “Just tell us what’s going on so I can get the hell out of here.”
Lauren and Ford glanced at each other. Zac hated their silent conversations. And he envied them. They also had the kind of relationship only seen on TV. He’d heard them argue, but never fight. He’d seen them at a standstill, but they always found a compromise. Every flaw of Lauren’s was treated as a quirk for Ford. And Ford’s flaws just meant he was human for Lauren. They saw the bad in each other and loved anyway.
Ford cleared his throat. “We want ... look, we know as best man and maid of honor, you’re in charge of the bachelor —”
“And bachelorette—”
“—parties.” Ford shrugged and glanced at Lauren. “We’d like to have ours together.”
Zac glanced at Macie, watching her already tense body as it wound even tighter. She swallowed hard but put on her obvious fake smile she wore like a badge of honor.
“If that’s what you want,” Macie said.
Lauren relaxed and slipped her hand onto Ford’s knee. “Thank you.”
Zac hadn’t said anything yet, and he didn’t really plan on chiming in. The deal was already done. He just had to make the best of it. Which, in his opinion, meant letting Macie do whatever Lauren wanted. He’d stay out of the way.
“Z?” Ford asked. Lauren stared at Zac with concern and determination. There was no way she wasn’t getting this. Ford’s expression remained hopeful. If he wanted a joint bachelor/bachelorette party, Zac had no clue. For Ford, Lauren’s happiness was all that mattered. “You in?”
Zac felt Macie’s gaze burning into his skin, but he wasn’t stupid enough to look at her. “If Chomper’s in, I’m in.”
“Stop calling me that,” Macie whispered in a low growl.
A smile tugged at his lips. “Never.”
Then she punched him. His upper arm throbbed where she’d hit him. He wanted to rub it, but that would mean admitting she’d hurt him. Never going to happen.
“You should get your money back from that dojo,” Zac said, turning toward her until her face was eye level to his chest. He loved that Macie was half a foot shorter. Not that anything intimidated her, but she hated people making an issue of her height. He bent down, resting his hands on his knees, and spoke to her like the errant toddler she could be. “It’s clear you can’t throw a punch to save your ass.”
Macie pulled her arm back, but Ford grabbed it and spun her toward him and away from Zac. Ford glared at his best friend. Zac felt bad for about two seconds, give or take, but no more. Just last week Macie had announced how small he was in front of a girl he was on the verge of asking out. The girl giggled and cut out faster than a cheetah toward an antelope. Macie smiled and strolled away, swinging her hips a little extra just for him. Okay, he may have imagined the extra swagger.
“Why do you guys insist on provoking each other?” Ford asked as Macie pushed past him, leaving Ford the only person between her and Zac.
Lauren rose from the couch and stood beside her future husband. “We hate it.”
“Hate’s a strong word,” Ford said gently.
“No, not in this case.” Lauren grabbed Macie’s hand and pulled her toward Zac. “We’ve put up with this for almost four years.” Lauren glanced between them. Macie avoided her friend’s gaze, and by default, Zac’s. “I don’t care what happens after the wedding. You guys can avoid each other as much as you want. But for now, at least learn how to fake getting along.” Lauren squeezed Macie’s shoulder. “Mace, you’ve been more than my best friend. You’ve been my sister, and I can’t stand the thought that you’d let Zac come between us.”
“What?” Macie roared. The lioness had returned. Zac enjoyed the way her face lit up with indignation. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?” Lauren remained calm, but her hands shook in front of her. “Are you going to avoid me for the rest of your life?” She pointed at Zac, and Macie’s gaze followed her finger. “Zac knew you were coming tonight, but that didn’t stop him from showing up.”
“He’s the one who started all this,” Macie snapped.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Zac put his hands up in defense. “I didn’t start anything. You did, Chomper.”
Macie turned her fiery gaze at him, sending Zac back a step. “Stop. Calling. Me. That.”
“Look, guys,” Ford said, always playing the intermediary. He put one hand on Macie’s shoulder and the other on Zac’s. “We’re not asking you to become friends, just be friendly. No more hitting.” Macie raised her eyebrows. “No more name calling.” Zac smirked. He loved calling her Chomper. It pissed her off. “No more anger. Just ... fake it if you have to. After the wedding, you can go back to hating each other. Okay?”
“Sure,” Zac said, offering his hand to Macie.
Macie scoffed, but she didn’t agree or disagree.
“Come on, Macie,” Zac said. “It can be their wedding present.”
Macie dropped her hands to her sides and stared at the ceiling. “Fine.”
Then her gaze fell to meet his. Zac saw the passion, the hatred, and the anger. He hated to admit that he admired anything about her, but her passion for life was one thing he couldn’t deny. Macie gripped his hand, shaking it firmly. The contact was brief, but Zac noted the silk of palm and the soft callouses on her fingers. His pulsed kicked up a notch, but he shook it off. Macie had surprised him by conceded. It was a rare occurrence.
There were two things Zac was certain of in that moment: it was either going to be fun or it was going to be a nightmare, but Lauren and Ford would never know which.
CHAPTER THREE
The waiter was more interesting than Emily, or was it Emma? Zac couldn’t remember, and he’d picked her up for their date ten minutes ago. And this girl was smoking. She was athletic and defined just enough without being overly built. Her blond hair hung down her back, and her blue eyes were wide like she’d just downed five energy drinks. Except that she was always in constant wonder. God blessed her body, but not her brain. She agreed with everything he said to the point he started making bold, and utterly false, statements.
“Did you see that UFO last night?” he’d asked.
Emily’s smile dropped for a moment before returning. “Yes? Over the north end of town?” She slapped the table excitedly, knocking over her empty water glass. Her gaze dropped to the glass and she giggled. “Wasn’t that amazing?”
“Yeah,” Zac said, dragging the word out. She either really saw a UFO or she faked it well. If she was faking it, she deserved an award. “So...” He thought about his pen-pal and a real smile crossed his face. “Dogs or cats?”
“Both?” Emily sat the water glass back upright.
“Is that a question?” Zac
asked. Emily’s eyebrows rolled together like a Shar Pei. Zac shook his head and glanced around the generic chain restaurant he’d brought her to. The walls were lined with imitation antiques. It was like the chain took the restaurant out of a box and plopped it in an empty lot. Instant food and money. This wasn’t his best move, but he couldn’t get a reservation as his go-to place. Plus this was close to campus. “Do you prefer cats or do you prefer dogs?”
Her lips thinned into a stressed line. “What do you prefer?”
“I...” Zac shook his head. What did it matter what he preferred? He wanted her opinion. Giving up on this conversation, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and stared at the locked screen. “I’m sorry. I need to take this. Will you excuse me?” He stood from the table and pretended to answer the call. “Hey, Ford. What’s up?”
Guilt twisted in his gut. The right thing to do would’ve been to tell her outright that it wasn’t going to work, but that was also the hard thing to do. Zac stopped at the bar and leaned against it, nodding at Emily when she glanced his way. She waved her fingers. Zac faked a large smile before turning his back to her.
“Need a drink?” the bartender said.
Zac grimaced. “No, an escape route. Got one of those?”
The bartender glanced over Zac’s shoulder. “From her? You’re nuts. She’s ripe.”
Zac followed his gaze. Emily sat with perfect posture and reapplied her lipstick using a silver compact. “Yeah, I know.”
“Just tell her work called—”
Zac faced the bartender again. “I’m in college. No job until after graduation.”
“Okay then, one, you’re a lucky sonofabitch, and, two, tell her one of your parents needs something.” The bartender shrugged then leaned closer. “Whatever lie you spill, make sure you tell her your buddy Mick,” he pointed at his name tag, “will take her home when his shift ends.”
Zac glanced back at Emily. He could use his dad’s recent surgery as a reason to bolt. But that wasn’t right. And he certainly wasn’t leaving Emily behind with a complete stranger. Although, what the hell did he know about her? They’d met once and Zac got her number. They didn’t even text or chat before dinner. Zac knew nothing about her other than she was a sponge who soaked up information to please him. He wanted a challenge. He wanted someone with their own opinions.
