Page 57 of Here & There

Nate looks sharply at me. Then he lowers his phone. “What about them?”

I try to hide my excitement over my managing to get his attention. Casually, I say, “Do you know Avery?”

Now Nate comes to a full stop. “AveryLee?”

“Mm-hmm. My company rebranded his business a few years ago, before he took off. I mean, I like to think we were the cause of him taking off, but I’m sure there were a lot of factors. Including the Fire series winning all those awards…”

Nate’s staring at me, definitely interested now.

“But hey, that’s not why I wanted to talk to you. What I was wondering is if you feel like helping me make dinner tonight, for you and your dad and Calvin? Like I mentioned yesterday.”

Nate’s brows furrow. “What does that have to do with the Fire series?”

I shrug. “I might be able to get an advanced copy of the next game in the series. What is it?Firepit?Firebox?”

“Firebrand?” Nate’s eyes are suddenly wide. “That doesn’t come out until next year!”

I keep walking. Now I’m in the lead. “The prototype exists now. Ayve sent me a copy, since he knows I had fun playing the first one.” I don’t call him Ayve. Nobody does, but it sounds good.

Now Nate has to jog to catch up to me. When he does, he looks like his head’s about to explode. “You’re telling me you have the original demo?”

“I don’t actually have it, but I can get it couriered here by tomorrow. And all it’ll cost you is helping me make a few hamburgers.Andeating downstairs with us.”

Nate nods so vigorously I’m worried he’s going to hurt his head.

Damn it, I should have thrown in helping me with dish washing too. But the kid’s so excited I grin and thrust out my hand. He shakes it so hard I laugh.

At least I know the way to one of these MacGregor boys’ hearts.

Chapter 15

Shelby

When I hear the soft click of the front door opening at Mac’s place, my stomach swoops.

I haven’t seen Mac since Tuesday morning, and for some reason, nerves dance along every square inch of my skin now that he’s about to appear.

I don’t know why I’m nervous. It’s not like I’ve developed a crush on this man. I’m a practical woman. I don’t get crushes on unobtainable grumpy-ass men.

But when Mac rounds the corner from the foyer into the kitchen, I know why.

I’m trying to impress him. But also, good God, he’s so attractive the very sight of him after an absence apparently turns me into a puddle.

“Hey, Mac.” My stomach flips, but I manage not to blink. I’m relieved at how calm I sound, despite the blood rushing in my ears.

I operate well under pressure. Usually.

Mac doesn’t even grunt. He just stares, frozen. I think that’s because Nate and I are elbows-deep in an explosive mess of food in the kitchen, early aughts indie rock music blaring over the speakers.

Nate looks up at the sound of my voice. “Hey, did you know Shelby knows these guys?”

He’s talking about the band playing.

“She, like, made their website or something right before they became famous. Don’t you have, like, five of their albums?”

Mac still hasn’t said anything. He’s still working on getting his jaw to function again, I think.

Somehow his bewilderment makes me relax a little. It’s just Mac, who I seemed to manage fine with before.

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