Page 33 of Finding You

She’d worked all day at the shop, but at four o’clock, Ashlynn and Avery had shown up and announced that they were there to pick up MacKenzie so they could all get ready for rock and roll bowling together.

Honestly, he hadn’t really planned on going to the bowling alley tonight. He was all for the reunion celebration, but…the main party was tomorrow night with the dance. Tonight was just for people to get together and hang out–people who didn’t get to see one another all the time. Devin felt like he got to see almost everyone in town on a regular basis–especially this last week–so going bowling wasn’t something he felt drawn to do.

Until now.

Ashlynn had given him a pretty detailed itinerary of what was going on tonight. Part of it was just her personality–she was incredibly chatty–but he kind of felt like she was baiting him a little. She told him how all the girls were wearing some sort of glittery tank tops and they got one for MacKenzie. They were all getting ready together and planned on doing some bowling and then having some drinks and dancing too. Ridge Lanes had a fairly large bar and party room that was going to be used tonight, and apparently the girls were already planning just how much fun they were going to have.

And including MacKenzie in all of it.

Devin contemplated going. He knew everyone would be there. The town was filling up for all the festivities for the reunion, and even though he was exhausted, it might be fun to go out and see some old friends.

Or keep an eye on MacKenzie.

Two birds. One stone.

Whatever.

Besides, it might be easier to just be there with her to drive her home later, he reasoned.

Doing a quick scan of the garage, he noted how everything was in its place and there wasn’t anything that required his immediate attention. If he left now, he’d be able to go home and shower and change and make himself a sandwich before heading over to meet up with everyone. Fashionably late, isn’t that what they called it? Although he didn’t want to be too late–no point in letting the single guys of Sweetbriar Ridge start hanging around MacKenzie. She was off-limits.

Including to himself.

So why was he going and torturing himself again?

Oh yeah, because…well, there was no logical explanation. Maybe he was a glutton for punishment. Or maybe he just enjoyed being in her presence and hearing her laugh and watching her smile.

He had it bad.

He knew it.

And he still had no idea what to do about it.

Grabbing his keys, Devin walked out of the shop, locked it up, and headed for home. With any luck, he’d get himself ready and go have some fun. It had been a hell of a long time since he’d allowed himself to do that. The long hours of running his shop pretty much made him a homebody with an early bedtime. Maybe it was time to actually start living his life–and having a life outside of his business.

She was bowling.

Badly.

No one seemed to notice or care, but she was feeling like the only person in the entire place who couldn’t knock down a pin.

After her twelfth gutter ball, she turned to Devin in total dismay, and fortunately, he understood without her saying a word.

“Okay,” he said with a grin. “Let’s work on your stance first and see if that helps.”

“Nothing’s going to help,” she mumbled, but let him drag her over to the ball return to wait for the kiddie ball to come back. “Seriously, I think I’m just gonna watch the rest of the time. It’s fine. Really.”

“Don’t be a quitter. You haven’t bowled in a long time. Of course you’re a bit rusty.”

“Rusty?” she repeated with a laugh. “Devin, I’m bowling like I never heard of the game before. I’m pathetic.”

“I don’t see it that way.” And before she knew it, he was pressed up behind her and showing her how to hold the ball.

There were so many other things she’d rather be doing with him pressed up against her, and bowling wasn’t even in the top one hundred.

“Take a few steps,” he said, his breath warm against her ear. “Bring your arm back, hold your wrist steady so your thumb is on the top, and…release.” He guided her through it all and as the ball left her hand, MacKenzie stood perfectly still–refusing to even breathe–as the ball made its way down the lane and…

Knocked over two pins!

---