Page 37 of Finding You

If only it were that easy, Devin thought. But he knew if he had one night with MacKenzie he’d want two. If he had two, he’d want four. And after that…hell…he’d want forever.

He already did.

“I…I can’t, Will. It’s hard to explain, but…it’s just not me. Not anymore.”

“Your loss then,” Will said as he stood and walked away.

Devin watched him go–figuring he was going to grab a beer. But then…oh, hell no. He was walking up to MacKenzie and…asking her to dance? What the hell?

That was it. He was done. Tossing back the rest of his beer, he stood and strode across the bar. It seemed a little weird how a path had suddenly cleared for him–a little like the Red Sea parting for Moses–but he couldn’t focus on that. He had to get to her, to MacKenzie.

When he reached them, he heard Will say, “Hey, Devin. MacKenzie and I were just…”

He never let him finish. Without even looking at his friend–because his eyes were set on her–Devin took MacKenzie’s hand in his and gently tugged her to him. “Dance with me.”

She didn’t speak. She simply nodded.

As soon as they were on the dance floor, Devin pulled her even closer and…wait…when did the music change to a ballad? Strange things were happening here tonight, but still he didn’t want to think about them. MacKenzie was here, in his arms and it felt just as good as it had the all the times she’d innocently been in his arms.

This was crazy, he thought. Why was he fighting it? Fighting himself? Sure he wanted forever. Temporary relationships always left him feeling empty and he had a feeling temporary with MacKenzie may even kill him, but…

“Devin?” she whispered his name, but he heard it–even over the music.

He looked down at her and knew his expression was fierce.

“I don’t want to dance,” she said softly.

And just like that, his heart kicked hard in his chest. For a minute there, he’d thought they were on the same page. And after that kiss last night, he had seriously hoped they were. But now…he swallowed hard and realized she was looking up at him expectantly. What the hell was he supposed to say?

“Okay,” he said stiffly.

And then, in a move that took him completely off guard, MacKenzie took him by the hand and led him toward the door.

Wait…what?

And once again, there was a clear path. He couldn’t find his voice until they were out the door and standing in the parking lot. “MacKenzie?” he said, his voice gruff.

She stopped and spun around to face him. “Where are you parked?” She started glancing around the crowded parking lot.

“What’s going on?”

“We’re going home.”

“Um…okay. You didn’t have to leave just because you didn’t want to dance with me. I didn’t mean to be presumptuous or anything. I just thought…”

“Devin?”

“Hmm?”

“Stop talking.”

“What?”

She huffed with frustration and pulled her hand from his. “Do you seriously not get this?”

Honestly? He didn’t. And now he felt stupid admitting it.

“Let me make it easy for you,” she said and then threw herself into his arms. Devin was quick to catch her just as her lips met his. Her legs wrapped around his waist as she threw his entire world off its axis. His hands grabbed her ass and held her close, and it wasn’t until he heard a round of applause that he remembered where they were.

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