Page 81 of Here & There

That night, before Nate comes down to the table for supper, I ask Mac how it’s going with him. They’ve been out together for the past three nights, and I’ve been dying to check in with Mac about it. This is the first moment we’ve had alone, if you don’t count today at the bar. Which I don’t. I can’t think too hard about it, or I’ll lose my ability to speak around Mac altogether.

Mac tells me, glancing toward the stairs every now and again. I smile when he finishes. “That explains why Nate seems to be a little lighter on his feet heading to school this week.”

Mac nods, looking hopeful. “It’s not perfect, but it’s a start.”

A beat passes, then Mac says, “I’m sorry. I wish those girls could see you now.”

I laugh. “They’re probably doing just fine.”

“Yeah, but you’re doing better.”

“Am I?”

Mac frowns. “Yes?” He says it like I’d be crazy not to believe it. “You run your own multi-million-dollar business.”

“Two million in revenues is barely multi-million.”

Mac folds his arms.

“Okay. Fine.” Iamproud of that. “I just don’t feel like I’m in with the big boys yet.”

“Youarea big boy. Take it from a literal big boy.”

I snort-laugh. Then I ask, “Did you look me up?”

“Of course I did. I don’t just let anyone give me advice.”

I don’t remind him that he gave me the job on the spot.

Mac pulls the food out of the oven, testing it by popping a perfectly roasted carrot into his mouth.

“Nate!” he hollers. “Dinner!”

I can’t help staring at Mac’s lips as he blows on another carrot. The shape of his perfectly bowed lip through the dusting of his mustache hair.

He pulls the carrot back. “Open up.”

I oblige, and he tosses the carrot at me. I have to dip, but I catch it. It’s hot on my tongue.

“Good girl,” Mac says.

My heart nearly stops. I think of the letters on Chris’s shirt. I’m not sure if it’s him realizing he said those words or his eyes on my mouth as I pull my tongue back into my mouth, but when Nate comes barreling down the stairs a moment later, he turns around fast.

I swallow hard, my heart pulsing in my chest.

A few minutes later, Mac dishes out the food, which smells incredible. It’s a roast with sweet herbed vegetables.

“Nate,” Mac says. “Shelby’s successful, right?”

He’s still on about that. It’s like he won’t let go until he’s convinced I believe it. He won’t let me meet his eyes.

“I dunno,” Nate says. “She’s got fancy clothes.”

I laugh, both at that observation being Nate’s signal that I’m successful, and at him calling my clothes fancy. “What are you talking about?”

“Those inside jackets,” Nate says.

“Blazers,” Mac says wisely. He cuts into his slice of roast. “You dress like those women in the Sears catalogs.”

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