“I…” She took a deep breath and let it out. “I need your help, so I’m not going to storm out of here and show you how much I think you’re full of crap.”
“Ask and you shall receive.” He made a short bow, conscious of her biting her lip to keep from smiling. Oh yeah. The Revere charm was in full effect if she hadn’t yet gone for his throat.
“My partner’s wife is obsessed with my dating life. And I don’t date much, like I told you. I’m too busy with work and stuff.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Right.” She cleared her throat. “So Jed, my partner—”
“I remember.”
“—mentioned me beating your ass at darts last week.”
“I don’t know I’d say ‘beating my ass.’ I mean, you won, but that’s after I crushed you at pool.”
Her eyes glinted with anger, and Mack forced himself not to look so captivated.
“Can you shut up for two seconds so I can explain myself?”
“About thatfavoryou need?”
She gritted her teeth and set her coffee cup on the counter. Likely so she didn’t throw it at his head.
He grinned and zipped his lips with his fingers.
Cass let out breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Right. So anyway, Shannon is convinced that you and I are somehow made for each other, and she wants to invite us over for dinner this Friday.”
“I’m working Friday, but I’m off next Thursday and Friday, if that helps.” He checked his phone for his schedule and nodded. “Yeah, either of those days.”
“Hold on.” She texted Shannon. “Next Thursday works. You and I will act friendly. Then Shannon’s happy and not trying to set me up with any more jackholes, and my partner’s happy because his wife is happy.”
“What about me?” Mack asked, loving how steamed Cass seemed to get whenever he asked a simple question. “Do I get to be happy?”
“Look, Revere. It’s a free meal. Shannon is an amazing cook. And you get to spend time in my stellar company.”
“Ah, I see.” He watched her, waiting to see how long she could go without exploding.
Five seconds, apparently.
“Well?”
“Well what? I’m still waiting to hear how this date will make me happy.”
“Are you serious? You just told me we share all this ‘amazing chemistry.’ You obviously want us to hang out more.”
“Are you sneering?”
She sneered. “No.”
He had to laugh. “Right. So you’re begging me for a favor by growling and snarling at me. But not sneering.”
Her lips twitched. “Maybe.”
He stepped closer, taking a chance with his health. “Because you think I want to be with you again.”
“Well, yeah. I’m a ball of joy.”
Mack rested a hand on her shoulder and slid it to the back of her soft neck. “Oh, right. So much joy.”
