Skinny Pants

by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

  So, I hope, Jack, that you were paying close attention when I looked at you, too, because I never once saw a man who was broken or bitter. I never saw a man who didn’t know how to trust. I just saw a really genuine, smart, sexy guy who needs someone he can let his guard down with. Perhaps he spends his days being a strong man and perfect doctor for the people who need him to be. Maybe he’d tried to be a perfect husband, too, and that was why it was so hard for him to move on. He worked his ass off and did everything right. And when that wasn’t enough, maybe he felt helpless. God knew Macie had been there. How many times had she done everything right with her body only to end up feeling like a failure?

  But frankly, Jack, being perfect all the time is exhausting and unachievable. And I think any woman would be lucky to be the one you came home to every night to show her all your flaws.

  I wish you all the best, Jack. See you at the top of the mountain.

  Love,

  Macie

  Of course, Macie meant it metaphorically. She wasn’t going to build a shrine for Jack and wait for him on a hill. But he’d told her to never stop climbing the mountain. Don’t give up on herself. And she wouldn’t. If anything, she was going to fight even harder.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Macie stretched against a tree, preparing for the Napa Valley Marathon. Twenty-six point two miles through the Silverado Trail—a stretch of road that ran from Calistoga all the way down to Napa through some of the most breathtaking views.

  Yes, many of the vineyards had been scorched in last summer’s wildfires, but it was March now and many had begun the process of starting over. Even Macie.

  She’d been training relentlessly for the last six months, and while she’d yet to run anything close to this—ten miles was her usual morning run now—she’d made up her mind to do this. Even if it took the full six hours they allowed.

  “Macie?” A deep voice spoke from behind her.

  She turned her head to see Jack standing there in black shorts, a snug white T-shirt and the number sixty-nine safety pinned to his chest. Of course, he looked better than ever. Slightly tanned, ripped biceps, and incredible legs.

  “Jack, what are you doing here?” Her stomach dipped and rolled.

  “You look…” his eyes ran down the length of her body, “incredible.”

  “Yeah, well, a friend suggested I take up running.” She smiled. This was her lowest weight since high school. “Sixty-two pounds and counting.” She would never be thin, like Grace and Fiona, it just wasn’t in her genes, but dammit, she would be healthy even if it killed her. And the truth was she liked running. “I’m doing more weight training too. Never know when you’ll have to lift a horse trailer.”

  Jack just stood there beaming at her with those intense green eyes. “I’m glad. I mean, you looked beautiful before, but now you look happy. Not that you looked unhappy before.”

  Macie nodded. “I am happy. And…I hope you are, too?” Because she meant it. She still loved him even if it wasn’t meant to be.

  He toggled his head. “Working on it.”

  Jack had actually left the hospital after the fire and returned to his old hospital in San Francisco. He’d taken up a position as the head surgeon, overseeing the department. Rumor also had it that he’d sold his house to Ms. Luci. He’d had land, and she needed a permanent home for her horse, that weird man with the turquoise hat, and his pet pig. Not that Macie had kept track of them or Jack, but he had been missed by the female staff, so it was impossible not to hear little bits and pieces of gossip. Rodrigo, Luci’s little spy, passed on Luci’s good wishes from time to time, too, but for the most part, Macie had been focusing on herself, her family, and her friends.

  Oh. And she’d started online dating again about four months ago, using Fiona’s favorite app. Yes, Macie had created a profile as herself and had even gone on a few coffee dates. Nothing came of them, mostly because she was nowhere near being over Jack, but she knew if she didn’t push herself to get back on the horse, she would never move on.

  Anyway, at least she’d made a few new friends, and the last few months she’d been trading messages with a man named Daniel. He was funny, kind, liked animals, kids, and cooking. She had no clue where the relationship would head, but she’d actually found herself looking forward to texting with him at the end of the day. He sent her little jokes or told her about movies he saw. She would tell him about the quirky stuff that happened in her life, like when Mrs. Emerson came in for checkups and assaulted poor Rodrigo. After months of trading texts and getting to know each other, she’d agreed to meet Daniel here today. Honestly, though, it was more of a test to see if he could keep up with her. Not many men could. And now Jack is here, reminding me of it.

  “So,” she said, “I heard you moved to San Francisco. What brings you out this way?”

  “I needed to get out of the city. It’s great not having to commute far to work, but I miss the hills and trees—what’s left of them.”

  An announcement came over the loudspeaker. It was time to queue up for the marathon.

  “Well, nice seeing you,” Macie said. “I’m going to take my place at the back of the line.” She knew someday she would eventually bump into Jack again, but it was still too painful and too soon.

  “The back of the line?” he questioned.

  “I’m only racing for fun. Don’t want to get in the way.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short, Macie. At least start in the middle. With me. It’s where we belong,” he said.

  Macie looked at him, instantly startled by the expression in his eyes. Why did she suddenly get the impression that he was talking about something else?

  She stared for a moment, trying to read those eyes of his. “The middle.”

  “Well, it’s not the end. And it’s certainly not the beginning.” He rubbed his unshaven jaw.

  Macie nodded slowly, her eyes locked with his. What was Jack talking about?

  “Um…well, I’m actually supposed to meet someone here, and he’ll be looking for me at the back,” she said.

  “Oh. A date?”

  Macie toggled her head from side to side, feeling extremely uncomfortable. It was difficult enough seeing Jack again and having her heart get all twisted up inside, but she didn’t want to explain that she was desperately trying to get over him and had turned to online dating. Especially after the whole catfishing thing.

  “Yes. It’s a date. But very casual. We just both happened to sign up for the marathon and decided we’d try running together.”

  A smile curled one side of Jack’s lips. “Really now?”

  Why did he look so amused? “Yep. Pretty much.” She turned her head, looking around the enormous crowd of thirteen hundred people. Everyone was taking their places. “Well, I should go look for him, but nice seeing you, Jack.” Her voice came out all shaky, only adding to her discomfort.

  “Nice to finally see you, too, Macie. I mean that.”

  Not wanting him to hear her unsteady voice, she nodded, but didn’t speak.

  “See you at the finish line,” he added and disappeared into the crowd.

  Phew. Macie shook her head and tried to sturdy herself. She’d had no idea how hard it would be seeing Jack again. Her heart still longed for him, for that chance they never really got. But without a doubt, what hurt the most was knowing how good they would’ve been together had they gotten the chance.

  Welp, water under the bridge. And maybe seeing Jack today was a good way to close out this chapter of her life and finally move on.

  Macie went to the back of the pack, looking for Daniel. She’d already texted him her bib number, and he knew what she looked like, so it wouldn’t be hard for him to find her. “I’ll be at the very back in a pink T-shirt. No way to miss me.”

  “Can’t wait to meet you,” he’d replied.

  But as Macie stretched and the countdown began, there was no sign of Daniel. No texts from him either.

  He stood me up? After months of friendl
y texting and his insistence on being here today, he was going to blow her off? She shook her head. Probably for the best. She wasn’t ready for serious dating anyway.

  The buzzer sounded and Macie took off. She hated to admit it, but she kept looking for Jack up ahead—his glowing tan skin, that straight back and those broad shoulders. With so many people, the odds of picking him out of the crowd were unlikely, but she couldn’t help herself. Dammit. Why did he have to show up? Because now she couldn’t stop thinking about him or how much she missed him.

  Macie threw her emotions into her running like she’d done for the past six months. But six miles into the marathon, Macie’s mind wouldn’t quit. Jack knew I’d be here. He had to. It was too big of a coincidence. Maybe that sneaking Rodrigo told Luci, and Luci told Jack?

  No. Stop. You’re being paranoid. Only, it was hard not to be after her episode with Luci. She was a devious old lady.

  Ten minutes later, Macie approached mile seven. Off to the left was the road that led to the Happy Pants Ranch.

  It was strange to think that had she not gone looking for Jack almost six months ago, he wouldn’t be running here today.

  Macie’s heart started to glow. She’d done good. Really good. Because no doubt Jack had been busy saving lives, helping people who desperately needed him after he’d returned to work. Maybe things hadn’t ended like she’d hoped with him, but dammit, she’d made the right choice.

  Panting hard, but keeping her pace with the back of the pack who’d been running for well over an hour, Macie smiled. The weight of everything lifted from her shoulders, making her feel lighter than ever.

  Macie picked up speed. I’m going to finish this race. No problem. She felt her body, strong and healthy, effortlessly gliding over the pavement. All around her were people cheering on the runners.

  Wait. Is that…? She spotted Jack standing to the side, his eyes locked on her.

  As she passed him, he came up beside her.

  “Jack,” she panted, looking ahead, “what are you doing?”

  He didn’t respond immediately. “I can’t finish this race without you and—dammit—that’s not what I meant. I don’t want to finish without you.”

  She glanced to her side. “Okay, well…I’m here running. And you’re here running. So I guess you won’t have to?” What did he want from her?

  “Macie.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, stopping her with him. The other runners flowed around them like river water around a boulder.

  “What are you doing?” She tried to free her hand and get back to the race.

  He let her go and bent over, bracing himself on his thighs, trying to catch his breath.

  “Are you all right?” she asked.

  “My fucking ankle is killing me,” he said.

  “Then you shouldn’t be running on it.”

  He nodded, breathing hard, and stood up straight. “I’ve been doing a lot of yoga, but it’s not the same.”

  Macie pointed over her shoulder. “Good for you. I’m going back to finish—”

  He reached and grabbed her, pulling her close.

  “Jack? What are you doing?”

  “I’m Daniel. And I meant what I said. I don’t want to finish this marathon without you. And no, I’m not talking about this marathon. I’m talking about my life.”

  “No. Nooo.” Macie blinked, her head spinning with emotions. “But his picture…” It had been of some plain-looking guy—brown hair, brown eyes, regular body. Not handsome, but not ugly. Just plain.

  “Yes. I’m Daniel. Jack Daniel Reed—the guy you’ve been texting with for a few months.”

  Whatthehell? “Is this some kind of sick joke?” She stepped back, freeing herself.

  “Not at all.”

  “Then why would you do that?” Macie hissed, outraged.

  “I wanted—no, I needed to keep you in my life, but I also needed time to sort some things out. A lot of things.”

  “So you decided to catfish me?” she spat.

  “Not initially. I reached out to Kirsten to check up on you, and she told me you were dating again—that’s how I found out about the app you were using.”

  “I can’t fucking believe this. You catfished me!” She prepared to implode.

  He smiled. “Yeah. I guess I did. But I don’t trust Luci or my sister, and I didn’t want them interfering while I made sure.”

  “Made sure of what?” Macie snapped.

  “That you are the one.”

  “Oh, Jesus.” Macie leaned forward, planting her hands on her knees. She could hardly breathe. “Why are you doing this to me? Why now?” He’d broken her heart, and she’d found her way out the other side. Why the hell would she go backwards?

  “Macie, that day you found me pinned under the horse trailer, I was pretty fucking certain I was going to die. And do you know what went through my mind as I lay there in the mud, waiting for that fire to burn me alive?”

  Macie shook her head from side to side. “Not a clue.”

  “All I could think of was that it shouldn’t have turned out this way.”

  “What way, Jack?” She seethed, hoping to God he would get to the damned point so she could kick him in his shin and leave him in the dust forever.

  “Luci should never have had to lead me to you. She shouldn’t have had to sneak around and scheme so I might hopefully open my eyes and see how incredibly special you are.”

  Macie’s breath began speeding up again.

  “You are not the type of woman, Macie, who should feel like the man who loves her, the man who wants to spend the rest of his life with her, came out of a fucking box from a goddamned cookie. You should know with all your heart that he fell in love because you are so fucking wonderful. And sexy. And strong.”

  Macie held tight to the emotions whirling deep inside, unsure how to react. He’d freaking catfished her! And six months? Why six months? When she finally opened her mouth, no sound came out.

  Jack pulled her close again. “I know the way I went about things wasn’t exactly right, but once we started writing each other, I didn’t want it to end. Every day I would come home from work and look forward to seeing a note from you and finding out how your day went. I found myself going straight to my phone between patients simply to see if you’d texted me. Macie, I know I should apologize, but it would be a lie because I’m not sorry. I have enjoyed every text, every word, every little piece of you I’ve gotten to know. And it mystifies me how you could make me fall in love with you twice, with two completely different sides of you. Because that’s how incredible you are.”

  “You—you love me?”

  Jack nodded.

  “And you waited six months to say it?” she asked, unable to comprehend the strange, touching, and frustrating magnitude of this beautiful moment.

  “I had to be over Doris. And you had to know my love has nothing to do with anyone but you.”

  Risky. “What if I’d moved on? What if I’d found someone else?”

  Jack smiled. “Because the answer isn’t The Notebook or The Princess Bride.”

  “Huh?”

  “The best romance story ever told is Jack and Macie.” He threaded his hand through the back of her hair and pressed his lips to hers. It was the kind of kiss that stole her breath and made her legs tingle. It was needy and demanding. Frantic and determined.

  Macie felt her heart crack wide open, unable to stop it from welcoming Jack in. The fact was, she loved him. She had from the beginning and never stopped.

  She leaned into his warm body and savored the silkiness of his mouth on hers along with the sinful feelings coursing through her body. Her mind instantly cleared away whatever she’d been thinking about only seconds before. It was as if the past six months had been a bad dream, only she knew that wasn’t right. A lot had happened. A lot of good things. She’d found that small piece of herself that had been missing and opened herself more to others. Oddly, Daniel was a part of that.

  As for Jack, apparently,
he’d been working hard on himself, too. Now that Macie thought about it, Jack no longer seemed to carry that cold hard shell. He looked, well, warm and happy. And while she didn’t appreciate the catfishing for the last eight weeks, she couldn’t deny that maybe Jack really had needed time to figure out his life before asking her to share it. God knows that man had way too much baggage when we met. Not that she blamed the poor guy. What his ex did was heartbreaking. Yet, it led him right here. To her.

  Jack pulled back and looked at her, his eyes beaming with passion. “Tell me what you’re feeling.”

  Complete and utter love.

  Macie exhaled slowly. “I don’t know, Jack. I mean, I was kind of looking forward to meeting Daniel today and seeing if he’s the kind of man who can keep up. Are you telling me you think you can?”

  He shook his head and grinned. “With you? Not a chance, but I’ll do my best.”

  She smiled. It was the best answer she could’ve hoped for. “I can’t believe you. I really can’t. Six months?”

  “Four. Okay, three because it took me a month to work up the courage to message you.”

  She shook her head.

  He added, “But there wasn’t a day that went by where I didn’t think of you.”

  Macie nodded, wanting so badly to kiss him again. “So you want to finish this marathon or what?”

  “Honestly? My fucking ankle is killing me, and I really want to get you back to my room, which coincidentally is five blocks away.”

  “Oh, wow. Are you suggesting I just run off and have sex with you in some strange hotel room?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “It’s a B&B. And I rented the honeymoon suite—the only thing they had left.”

  “Does it have a tub?”

  He nodded.

  “Then I’m in. My feet are killing me.”

  “Then I’m your man.” Jack pulled her into him and kissed her again. Macie’s entire body melted for him.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Jack towed Macie along by the hand, ignoring the splintering spasms in his ankle.