Page 47 of Here & There

I don’t know why I bought it. It seemed like something Shelby might wear since Bryony only owns sensible nude underwear.

But I grab it and bring it out to Mac. He’s reached down to cover himself up, and I lay the robe over his crossed hands. It’s like a Kleenex on him.

But he pulls his hands out and presses the thing to him, sitting up with a hissed intake of breath.

“I’m sorry, Mac,” I say.

“What for?”

“For scaring you.”

“You didn’t scare me. You knocked me out.”

“Well, yeah. But before. I should have told you I was coming home.”

Mac’s eyes blink open.

For a moment, we stare at each other. Then he says, “It’s fine. I’m glad you’re…home.” Is it me, or does he linger on that word just a half second longer than necessary?

I shouldn’t have said home. This is Mac’s home, not mine. But still, I smile, something warm and soft spreading over me.

Then he says, “Why are you home?”

“I wanted to see the room. It looks amazing.”

Mac tries to nod and winces. “Hey, Shelby?”

“Yes?” I’m a little breathless.

“Do you mind going into your room now? Or at least turning around so I can leave?”

My stomach plunges. “Oh, yes, for sure.”

I’m just getting up when the deck’s flooded with light.

We both cry out, squinting at the bright lights.

“Mac?” Nate calls out. “Shelby?” His voice cracks on that last word.

“Hey, Nate!” I say cheerily. I spot Mac’s towel, crumpled by my door.

“Are you—” Nate begins.

I stand up, realizing what he’s seeing. “Oh, God. No, it’s not what it looks like.”

I sense Mac standing up too, “Nate,” he says, his voice a low rumble.

But when I look over at him, he’s staggering slightly, his giant paw clutched across the laughably tiny piece of pink fabric at his crotch.

“Ew!” Nate yells.

The light flicks off. For a moment, I’m completely blind. I can’t see Nate leave, but I hear the slam of the patio door. Great. We’ve traumatized him.

I take a step backward, feeling for my shed. I bend down and pick up the towel, hurling it in Mac’s direction. I have no idea if he catches it.

“Well, if you’re okay, I’m going to go now!”

My words are too loud, too shrill, but Mac grunts. “Okay.”

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