Page 80 of Man Cuffed
He smiles against my cheek, and I’m so happy. This is theperfectmoment.
“Excuse me. Can I cut in?” There’s a tap on my arm. And the tapper is Julie.
“No,” I snap. “No. Just no. I was promised this dance, and I will finish this dance.”
Julie’s head jerks back, like I slapped her. “I thought we were going to be friends.”
“Why did you think that?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Well…” She looks confused. “We’re both with men who share the same face.”
That’s not all you shared. Luckily, I manage not to say that out loud. “Julie, go back to your man. We’re busy here.”
“No!” She actually stomps her foot. “Don’t take that tone with me. I need to talk to Mac!”
“Seems like you had plenty of chances to talk to him, and then decided to give that up,” I point out.
“Meg…” Mac gives me a wry smile. I can tell he doesn’t want me to escalate the situation.
But God. I’d like to escalate my fist into her throat. If only we were somewhere more private...
“I’mgettingmy chance to talk to him,” she says, her eyes unfocused. “This night isn’t over.” She stomps away.
“Good grief,” I whisper. “She isn’t keeping her shit together.”
“She never did,” Mac says. “Always whining about something. Always trying to take more than her share.”
“Then why were you going to marry her?” The question just pops out. And I feel Mac go still in my arms. “Sorry,” I say quickly. “It’s none of my business.”
“Nah, it’s funny,” he says, gathering me closer again. “I don’t remember. I mean, I know I loved her.”
“Of course.”
“But I’ve forgotten why.”
“Doesn’t matter now,” I say, backpedaling like crazy. The last thing I want is for Mac to remember why he loves Julie. I step a little further into his embrace.
But then the song ends, and then the band announces that they’re going to take a short break. Reluctantly, Mac and I move apart.
“Thanks for the dance.” I bat my eyelashes at him, feeling suddenly shy. When the farce of this wedding is over, I’m the only one here who will be sad.
“Dancing isn’t so bad,” he says sheepishly. “Like rolling off a log.”
“We haven’t done the pachanga yet,” I point out.
“Oh, we’re doing that naked later.”
I laugh. “Okay, but now what?”
“Want a beer?”
“Maybe…” I hesitate. “That depends on which of us is driving home tonight. It’s okay if you’d rather drink. I don’t mind being the designated driver.”
“No way,” Mac chides, cupping my shoulder. His thumb sweeps across my skin, and I fight off a shiver. “A man always gets his date home safe and sound. That’s just how I roll.”
This guy. I truly hate Julie right now. Who could turn away this guy? “I appreciate that,” I tell him. “But tonight, I’m here for you in your hour of need. If your hour of need requires copious martinis, I’m down for that. I don’t mind helping you.”
Actually, I like it way too much.
