Page 47 of The Sexy Part
Cooper:Hayden Planetarium on Sunday? A friend told me it’s awesome.
I find myself smiling. I’m the friend. I text back:Okay, but I have to be back in time for Sunday family dinner.
Cooper:Or we could get a bite to eat in the city.
So casual. It really does sound like this can work as friends. On the other hand, I already accepted Hailey’s invitation.
Me:We’ll go early and get back in time for dinner.
Cooper:How early?
Me:I’ll get back to you on that.
Cooper:Stop by for a drink tonight. On the house.
I shake my head. One drink can lead to so much more. Not going there.
I text back:Thanks, but I have a lot of stuff to figure out.
A few minutes later, I let myself into the house. It’s so quiet. Felix appears and winds around my leg. I reach down to pet him, and he stands on his hind legs to stretch against my leg, his head arching for more.
“Hello?” I call.
I hang my jacket and purse on a hook by the door and leave my shoes by the mat there. I have to say Mackenzie makes the place feel like home. She even added me to the chore rotation. My job is to empty the dishwasher and take out the trash on Sunday. Next week I get to do meal planning and prep for three meals. It’s all on a spreadsheet she emails to me and Harper on Monday night. Apparently, she was an accounting major, so she’s very comfortable with spreadsheets. Harper says Mackenzie basically runs the security tech firm she’s partners in with Owen and Nathan.
I walk upstairs and poke my head into Mackenzie’s room. She’s not there. Outfits are strewn all over the bed and a chair. Does she have a date?
I step out into the hall. Sounds like the shower’s running in our shared hall bathroom.
Harper’s door is shut. She’s probably working on a graphic design project. Whenever she works from home, she likes to sleep in and work later hours. I won’t disturb her.
I head downstairs and nearly trip over Felix waiting for me on the first step down. I scoop him up. “I won’t be around to pet you if you kill me on the stairs.”
He purrs and rubs against my chest. I relax holding this warm bundle of fur. It’s like coming home to a warm hug. I can use a hug.
Once in the kitchen, I help myself to the last little bit of leftover lasagna and pop it in the microwave. It’s Harper’s week to cook, and she likes to make two giant dishes for us to eat as leftovers the entire week. Mackenzie calls this lazy, and Harper calls it efficient. I’m just happy to have a home-cooked meal.
I’m nearly done with dinner when Mackenzie walks in, adjusting a dangling earring. Her hair falls in soft waves, subtle makeup. She’s wearing a cute light blue pants suit with heels.
“Hey,” she says. “How was work at love heaven?”
“Good. Your mom’s great to work for. We worked out a behind-the-scenes position for me since I’m anti-love at the moment.”
She gives me a fist bump. “Solidarity, sister. Mom said she invited you to Sunday family dinner. Please don’t feel obligated to go because your boss invited you. Not that I don’t want you there. I’m just saying that’s a lot of Hailey time. After working all week with her and half of Saturday when there’s a wedding, you might need a break.”
“Not at all. I could hang with her all day every day.”
She crinkles her nose. “I guess she’s easier to take when she’s not prying into your love life.” She gets a drink of water and leans against the counter.
I rinse my plate and put it in the dishwasher. “Date tonight?”
“Kinda. I don’t know what it is.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Meeting for drinks at a nice restaurant with a bar. Not Happy Endings. Don’t need Dad and Cooper spying on me. Harper’s going to call after fifteen minutes, and if I’m having a wretched time, I’m claiming a family emergency and leaving. If not, we’ll see how it goes.”
“Smart. How’d you meet?”
