by Lynn Stevens
It also helped that she’d gotten her first freelance job through her website. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. The next step was to sell her artwork. That was a much harder road to walk, and she needed to build her inventory. That would take time, especially since she hadn’t finished Spiral. She stared at the painting. It was still missing something important. She glanced at the time on her phone. It was early, and the bachelorette party wouldn’t start until three. Zac had offered to meet her at her place. He wanted them to show up together to make sure everything went as smooth as silk. The first part of the party wasn’t one Ford, or any of the other guys, would appreciate.
Macie stripped off her clothes and grabbed her brushes. The edge of the inner canvas needed covered. With what, she didn’t know. She only knew it needed to be dark. The paints sat unopened beside her palette. Instinct had gotten her this far, so she reached the tube that spoke to her, Payne’s gray. Seemed appropriate. A tube of Crimson Alizarin hid behind a tube of Cadmium Red. The crimson was darker, and it would do better against the gray. Especially after she mixed the gray with Zinc White. Macie loaded her palette. Leaving globs of gray and white along the edges and pulling small portions toward the center to mix. A small amount of crimson sat alone. She put on her headphones, blocking out the world and letting the sound of a thunderstorm fill her head and take her to a place where her mind focused only on the task at hand. With a small brush, smaller than the one she used for her eyeliner, Macie began to paint the vision forming in her mind.
The brush moved slowly over the canvas, creating lines of dark gray, light gray, and white. The lines swayed in and out, up and down. The motion mesmerized her until the paint told her where it needed to go. Macie didn’t see anything except where to next. She added lines and dots of crimson sporadically. Dabs of white also filled space she felt were empty. She stepped back, viewing the small portion of canvas she’d covered. Haunted faces gazed back at her, into her. She took another step away from the painting and their gazes only intensified. Frozen. In hell. Unable to move. Their mouths were open, screaming in a silence so powerful Macie felt it in her stomach. She stepped back again, her bare back hitting the door.
Violent pounding vibrated the wood at her back and Macie jumped, pulling her headphones free from her ears.
“Macie,” Zac shouted through the thin wood. “Macie, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Macie shouted back. She reached for the door, only remembering her lack of clothes a second before she opened it. “Just...” She glanced around her messy apartment for something to throw on. “Give me a second.” Or two. Why is he so damn early? She found an old Saints football jersey and a pair of black shorts. “Hold on,” she added as she brushed her hair back with her fingers. Good enough. I’ll take a shower after he leaves. She opened the door to a very irritated Zac.
“You’re not ready?” He stepped into the apartment without waiting for an invitation. Very un-Zac-like. “What happened here?”
“I’ve got plenty of time to get ready,” Macie snapped. She wasn’t in the mood for Zac to bring back the bully he harbored inside. “What’re you doing here already?”
“It’s two-fifteen.” He turned to face her, his gaze drifting down her body.
She opened her mouth to call him out on his obvious gawking when what he said registered. “Two-fifteen? Shit.” She grabbed her phone, seeing several missed calls from Zac and a few not-so-nice texts. “Shit. Shit. Shit.” He’d been outside for fifteen minutes. “I... Fuck. I need to take a quick shower.”
“Hurry up.” Zac stared at the painting, at the faces she’d painted. “I’ll wait,” he said in a much softer tone.
Macie didn’t hesitate. She rushed into the bathroom and scrubbed the paint from her body. Hurrying as fast as she could, she braided her long hair while it was still wet and lined her eyes in black. There wasn’t enough time for full makeup. There was barely enough time for her to get... Shit. Her clothes were in the armoire in the front. She reached for her thin satin robe, a stupid buy when she was drunk one night. Robes had never been necessary, even in the dorm. Macie preferred throwing on a tank and shorts after a shower. But she didn’t have those, either. She tied it around her waist, aware that the thin material would show her nipples the minute the colder air of the apartment hit her. She sucked in her stomach and opened the door, walking toward her armoire like a runway model.
“Wha—” Zac began, cutting himself off.
Macie glanced at him with a raised brow. Zac’s mouth stayed opened and Macie pursed her lips to keep from smiling. Her stomach flipped from the way his eyes traveled to her bare legs. Macie had never been ashamed of her body, never tried to hide it. But she never pranced around half naked, either. Well, not unless she was painting, but that was more about saving her clothes than anything else. Exhibitionism wasn’t normally in her nature. At least not until she saw the way Zac’s gaze caressed her. She stopped beside the armoire, bending at the waist to reach the drawer where she kept her bra and panties. With careful deliberation, she pulled out a black lace thong and matching bra, not bothering to hide them from Zac’s prying eyes. His sharp inhale told her she’d made the right choice.
She opened the top door, reaching for her favorite jeans until her gaze spotted a purple galaxy skater skirt hanging in the corner. The matching elbow length gloves were in another drawer. It was something she’d worn a few months ago, but a style she’d all but abandoned once she started at the station. Not that it was work appropriate even on the most casual dress day. This night was about celebrating Ford and Lauren. She didn’t want to pretend to be someone she wasn’t. Not tonight. Not ever. She grabbed the skirt and a black tank, rushing to the bathroom to change. When she stepped back into the living room, she felt more like herself than she had in a long time.
“You look great,” Zac said as he stood. “And normal.”
“I didn’t look normal before?” Macie stalked passed him, not entirely sure she liked his comment. Yeah, he said she looked good, but what the hell did normal mean? She opened the drawer in her computer desk and slipped on the gloves.
“You looked ... different.” Zac shoved his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “Not like the Macie I’ve known for four years.”
“Is that a bad thing?” She turned to face him.
“No, but it...” He pulled one hand free and ran his hand through his hair. She took a moment to check him out. In her rush to get ready, she hadn’t noticed that his standard polo shirt had been replaced by a black button-down shirt covered with a tight-fitting vest. A black tie rounded out his new look. “I don’t want to fight.”
Macie smiled. “I don’t want to, either. I just...” She sighed and closed the distance between them. Gazing into his eyes, she opened her heart and her mouth. “I just really wanted to know what you’re thinking.”
“That’s dangerous ground for us.” A corner of his mouth lifted.
“True.” Macie stepped back. “I like this.” She motioned up and down his body, her fingers skimming over the fabric of the vest. “It’s different, but it suits you.”
“And this,” Zac imitated her motions, brushing his finger over the gloves, “suits you.”
“Change is good,” she whispered.
“Not always.”
Macie lost herself in his eyes, imagining what could’ve been, what still could be. The room heated around them. She felt it, she knew he felt it, too. His eyes darkened as they drifted toward hers. Macie angled her head, giving him full access to her lips, her neck, wherever he wanted to go. Zac’s head tilted until their mouths were aligned.
Then he stepped back. His face flushed with either heat or embarrassment, Macie wasn’t sure which, but she really hoped it was the sexual tension that exploded between them.
“We’re going to be late.” He opened the door, holding it for her.
Macie nodded. She moved into the hallway, carefully brushing by him with a breezy touch. He inhaled fast and hard.
She kept the excitement to herself, but noted that it was time for Zac to meet his mystery girl.
THE MANI-PEDI WAS DIFFERENT. Zac hated to admit it, but having his feet massaged felt pretty good. No wonder Amanda and his sisters enjoyed it so much. He’d stolen glances at Macie during the process. She looked more uncomfortable than Ford. Then the small wedding party moved on to the ‘guy’ portion of the afternoon, and as much as Zac hated golfing, Ford loved it. They headed toward the driving range. A round of golf was out of the question with the time constraints. Macie had a surprise dinner arranged for Ford and Lauren at the diner where they had their first date. While they ate, the rest of the wedding party would head over to the final destination: Hoof.
Macie stepped up to the tee beside Zac. Her hands were all wrong, her feet too close together, and her head too far down. He watched her take a pitiful swing, cursing like a sailor on leave. Zac couldn’t stop the grin plastered across his face.
“Why don’t you help her?” Ford said beside him. He lifted a cold water bottle to his lips, eyeing Zac as he took a sip. “You may hate this game, but you’re good at it.” Ford’s gaze shifted to Macie for a moment before settling on Zac. “Besides, you haven’t taken your eyes off her all day.”
“That’s not true.” Zac dropped his head and readjusted the strap on his glove. He’d been stealing glances at Macie way too much, but he never thought anybody would notice. Ford noticed everything. He knew that, but it hadn’t crossed his mind. Not much else had crossed his mind, except Macie. Her smooth skin, wicked smile, and legs that went on for days. Yeah, Zac had definitely been preoccupied.
“Keep telling yourself that, buddy.” Ford slapped Zac’s shoulder. He pointed toward Macie’s tense back as she teed up for another go. “Help her out, at least. She’s going to end up throwing that club or worse, sticking it up some guy’s ass. My money would be on yours since you planned this little excursion.”
Zac laughed. “Bad bet, Ford. You and Lauren are the ones who wanted a joint party. Macie wouldn’t forget that little detail.”
Ford snorted and stepped up to a tee. His smooth swing sent the ball sailing in a straight line for two-hundred yards. Nice. Ford had come a long way since they were freshman. He’d jumped at the chance to play golf with Zac and his father. Ford had become part of the family, and Zac hoped that didn’t change any time soon, either. A slew of F-bombs drew his attention back toward Macie. Lauren tried to calm her down, but a sharp glare by Macie sent Lauren back to her own tee. Zac chuckled under his breath.
“Mace, want some help?” he asked as he stepped closer. She spun around, frustrated and angry. He knew she was more pissed at herself than him, but he also knew to tread lightly. “I’m a great teacher. Ask Ford.”
“Fine.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t get why people think this is fun.”
“Not everybody does.” He stepped onto the green Astroturf and placed a ball on the tee. “Personally, it bores me.”
“Why bother, then?” she asked, letting her arms fall to her sides.
“Because my dad likes it.” Zac shrugged. “We golf once a month, sometimes more if he’s in the mood. It makes him happy. And I get to spend time with him, so it’s worth it.”
Macie’s body relaxed. “That’s actually sweet.”
“I’m not a jerk all the time,” Zac said. He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Macie tensed up for a moment before relaxing into his embrace. “Letting go of the tension is the first step.” He slid his hands down her arms, too slowly. He didn’t even need to do all of this, but the opportunity presented itself and it was too good to resist. Besides, he wasn’t going to let it go any further. His mystery girl was still there, waiting. He cleared his throat and covered Macie’s hands with his own. “Let me guide you through a swing.”
“Mm hmm,” Macie replied.
Zac’s body melded around hers. Every curve, every line fell into place with him. He slipped his foot in between her legs, separating her feet so she was standing shoulder width apart. Macie’s sharp intake of breath set him on fire, and he pulled back so she wouldn’t notice the tightness in his pants. After repositioning himself in more ways than one, Zac guided her arms back in a slow smooth arc. His heart hammered in his chest. He let out a rush of energy as they brought the club down together, smacking the golf ball out onto the range.
“Whoa.” Macie leaned back against Zac, setting every nerve in his body on high alert. “That was intense.”
“Yeah.” He resisted the need to tighten his arms around her. “Wanna try it on your own?”
“I’m...” Macie sighed. “Sure. Why not.”
Zac let go of her hands, sliding his up her arms before stepping back completely. He missed the heat of her body, the feel of her against him. But he did enjoy the view of her ass as she placed a ball on the tee. Her back rounded too much and her legs were too far apart. Zac waited, only managing to get his hand up in time as she pulled back too fast, too hard, and too far. The club hit his palm, stinging it more than he expected. Macie didn’t even notice as she started to follow through, leaving the club behind in Zac’s hand. She spun around completely. Zac caught her around the waist before she fell, and her hand slapped against his chest. With a blush covering her cheeks, she lifted her head and stared into his eyes. Zac wanted to smile, to comfort her, but he was paralyzed. Tears rimmed her eyes. He knew why. She’d told him that he’d always seen her at her worst and here they were again. He didn’t understand it. Every time she’d been beautiful, perfect in her imperfections because she owned them. She’d always been Macie, even when they hated each other.
“You’re trying too hard,” he whispered.
Macie’s lips parted then lifted into a smile. “That’s it? No witty comeback. No new nickname?”
“Well,” Zac grinned, “I could call you Spin, but I don’t think that would go over so well.”
To his surprise, Macie laughed. “I think maybe we should try that again. Together?”
Zac nodded, unable to actually form words. He wanted to put his arms around her again. He shouldn’t want that, but he did. She sighed as his hands skimmed down her gloves. He buried his nose in her hair, inhaling the vanilla and lavender. Macie shuddered. He really needed to get it together.
“Ready?” he whispered in her ear.
“You have no idea,” she said.
They pulled the club back and smacked the ball dead ahead. He didn’t let go. Macie leaned against him. It was nice, perfect. And not in the cards. He needed to stay off this road.
“You should be good now,” Zac said, dropping his hands and stepping back.
Macie nodded and stepped back up to the tee. She shanked it to the left, but she did so with a smoother swing. After a few more swings on her own, she made adjustments based on Zac’s suggestions and set the ball on a straight course. Zac watched it sail about a hundred yards with a smile. She’d done it. Macie never had been one to give up easily, but she’d always been more of a ‘I’ll do it on my own’ type. Over the last few weeks, that had changed.
Lips pressed against his cheek. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling. She left them there longer than a quick peck.
“Thank you,” Macie said. “I mean it. Thank you for everything.”
He turned toward her, but she’d already stepped away from the tee.
THE REAL PARTY STARTED at the club. Macie arranged for the VIP section with her former boss, which was just a cordoned off area for the party. Two years of bartending at Hoof had its perks. He didn’t charge her for the space or the cover. Of course, she’d also talked to him about picking up a shift here and there after the wedding. Freelancing would help once she got some gigs, but she needed money sooner rather than later.
Hoof’s large dance floor spilled over with students from Lafayette and a nearby community college. They danced like tomorrow would never come. She’d done the same, once. Tomorrow came like always. It had only been six weeks since she completed
her degree and she felt middle aged.
“Whatcha thinking?” Lauren asked in her ear.
Macie smiled, lifting her bottle to her lips. She took a long pull from her beer. “Not much.”
“Liar.” Lauren nudged Macie with her shoulder. Her long hair spilled down her shoulders. Lauren flipped it back, laughing at nothing. Typical Lauren.
“Not lying.” Macie turned away from the dance floor. The VIP room was roped off by black velvet and a half wall of wrought iron fencing between two large brick beams. Macie leaned against one. Lauren and Ford’s friends crowded the tight space. Strobe lights bounced off their skin and clothes. It gave Macie a headache, or maybe that was just the beer.
“I wanted to thank you again for helping Mom with the shower.” Lauren shook her head. “There was no way she could’ve done it without you.”
“I’m sorry I missed it,” Macie said. According to Zac, Sylvia had sent all the men into the basement to play pool while the women chatted. Her gaze settled on Zac. He smiled at something Ford said, then laughed. A five o’clock shadow covered his chin. Another button had come undone near the top of his black shirt.
“Why are you staring at Zac like he’s cheesecake?” Lauren leaned against the beam beside her.
Macie rolled her eyes.
“Fine, don’t tell me. But everyone’s seen it.” Lauren leaned in as if anyone could possibly hear them with the music at Deaf-Con two, added emphasis on deaf. “People keep asking me when you guys hooked up. I was dumbfounded at first, but now... well, now I need to know if you have actually hooked up. You have, haven’t you?”
“No,” Macie snapped, turning toward Lauren. “We have not hooked up. Just ... friends.”
“Friends?” Lauren snorted and sipped her gin and tonic. “Sure, Zac gives you a sexual golf lesson and you two are just friends. You might as well have dry humped each other on the tee.”
“Lauren!” Macie’s shock reverberated down her spine.
