Page 64 of Not So Happily Ever After (British Bad Boys)
Mac runs her foot along my calf, and I almost choke on a sliver of beef. I shoot her a glance, but she’s concentrating on her food as though that’s the only thing of interest in the room.
Two can play that game. I capture her ankle between my feet and hide my smirk by taking another forkful of food. She flexes her foot but doesn’t try very hard to escape. I risk another glance, and this time she’s chewing her lip and shaking with silent laughter.
This is insane. I release her before I lose it, and rack my brain for something to say. I don’t usually suffer from that problem, and never have before at the Carters, but this lunch is something else.
Before I can think of something brilliant, Margo places her knife on the table next to me and takes a deep breath. “This isn’t working, is it?”
The silence is deafening. Harry’s frowning, and when I glance at Mac, she widens her eyes in awhat the fuck is happeningway.
“I wanted to do a lovely lunch for you, Mac. I thought, if I did it differently to how you usually have your family do’s, you wouldn’t think I was trying to step on your toes. But this is excruciating.”
Allriiightthen. Harry and I glance at each other, and I’m positivethe get-me-out-of-hereexpression on his face is mirrored on mine. Neither of us moves a muscle.
“Oh, but itislovely.” Mac leans forward, and under the table, she gives me a hard kick on the shin. Great. What does she expectmeto say?
“Very nice,” I confirm.
“I know this is your province,” Margo continues, looking at Mac. “I’m not trying to take over.”
“I never thought that.”
Christ, I hope she sounds more convincing to Margo. Or is it because I know how Mac really feels about this?
“That’s kind of you to say.” Margo stands up.Now what?“Let’s move everything into the other room.”
Half an hour later, I take the remains of our meal into the kitchen and dump it on the workbench before returning to the sitting room. Mac’s dad and Margo are on one sofa, although they’re not touching at all, and Mac’s on the other sofa with Harry and Alice. I’m consigned to one of the chairs by the fireplace.
Just as well. If I’d squeezed onto that sofa next to Mac, there’s no way I’d be able to keep my hands to myself.
“That wasn’t too much of a disaster, was it?” Margo says.
“Next time, let’s just have it in here.” Mac smiles, and I can’t look away. Her hair’s in a long plait that trails over her shoulder, and I can’t wait to tug it free with my fingers. Is it too early to leave?
You wanker.She lives here. When I leave, I’ll be alone.
Until tonight.
Got to get through the party, first.I stifle a sigh.
“You’ve got a deal,” Margo tells her before turning to Alice. “Are you traveling up to Durham tomorrow?”
“Yes, Harry’s taking me. I can’t believe this is my second year already.”
Their conversation fades into the background as I check out Mac. She has a small smile on her face, but she doesn’t say anything. Like when we were at Blitz, except now I know why she’s so quiet.
I have the mad urge to change the topic to her art, but she wouldn’t thank me for it.
My phone buzzes, and it’s a text from Lucas.
Pick u up at 9
I hadn’t planned on driving to the party, but I’m not stoked at the thought of going with him. Not that I usually care. It’s fun going in the limo he hires for this type of event, but if he’s picking me up, he’ll be taking Mac, as well.
Doesn’t mean we have to get a lift back with him. We can get a taxi.
A minute later, she checks her phone before shooting me an inscrutable glance. Lucas must’ve texted her. Don’t know why she’s giving me the side-eye, though.
“You’ve been looking so much better this week, Mackenzie,” her dad says. “That break did you a world of good.”
