Page 105 of Meraux Mafia: No Ordinary Love

“For what? That’s not my baby. I’ll leave that to my mom and aunt.”

“You’re such a hermit.”

Mack shrugged his shoulders. “Where’s Cam?”

“Home with my sister. I figured I would be working late because I know how y’all nigga’s party, but Hailo saved the night.”

“My birthday is just getting started,” Mack informed me. It was barely after midnight and officially his birthday. “Kick it with me for a little while.”

My throat grew tight, like I was having an allergic reaction because he was waiting on me to respond. I wanted to because I missed him. I had been thinking about spending time with Mack again since the night he left my apartment. I didn’t know how to bring it up. He had, and now I was stuck. After all, I didn’t need to be alone with him because I didn’t trust myself to behave.

“You can kick it with me while I clean and shut down the bar,” I offered as a compromise.

“Damn, it’s my birthday, and you’re treating me like this?”

“Take it or leave it?” I shrugged, hoping I appeared more confident than I felt inside.

Mack extended his arm, and I headed inside as he walked behind me. I didn’t take long to shut the bar down because I cleaned as I went. Mack didn’t talk much, only when I initiated the conversation.

Tyson came over with Kyerra and shared a conversation before they left. I thought it was strange that Gianni’s ex showed up with Tyson, but I kept that to myself. It wasn’t my business. Mack went back to watching me intently, occasionally responding to messages on his phone.

“Have you heard from Gi?” I asked, curious how Hailo was doing.

“Yeah. Lo is cursing his ass out.”

“I warned him. Labor is no joke.”

“My mom and aunt are there now. I don’t know how much help they will be with Lo, but her mom should be there soon.”

“She doesn’t get along with them?”

“She’s cool with my mom. Aunt Xora is hit or miss.”

“Everybody loves your mom. She’s the sweetest person ever.” That was a well-known fact in DuPont Falls and likely where Mack got his caring personality.

“That’s what y’all think. Don’t be fooled. There’s another side to Mia.”

“I’m sure you deserved it.”

“Damn, what makes you think it was me?”

“Just a gut feeling. All done,” I announced, untying my apron.

After gathering my belongings, we walked outside, and the night air caused me to fold my arms across my chest as I led the way to my car. Before I could reach for the handle, Mack slipped in front of me, leaning against the driver’s side door.

“What if I want more time with you?” he asked.

“Mack,” I sighed because the strange surge of affection I felt was frightening, and he refused to let me off the hook.

“It’s my birthday,” he smiled, a lot more relaxed than he usually was in my presence. It had to be the alcohol.

“What does that mean?”

“You can’t tell me no. DuPont Falls rules.”

“Oh really? I’ve never heard that one.”

“It’s new. I just implemented it.”

---