Cass didn’t know whether to cry because she feared he might be right or slug him for being so incredibly conceited. Mack made her laugh regardless. “Jesus. It’s getting deep in here.”
“Deep?”
“With all the bullshit you’re slinging around.”
He laughed. “Yep.”
“Dress nice. Do not embarrass me,” she warned, as if the man knew how to not be charming and alarmingly sexy.
“I won’t. Unless you throw me up against the wall at their place and blow me. Then I won’t be able to keep my voice down. I’m a screamer, in case you haven’t noticed.”
He was not. She flushed and had to work not to stagger to the door, embarrassingly weak at the knees. “Whatever. Just be ready to go, Romeo.”
“Of course, Juliet.” He gave a showman’s bow.
She put her boots on, grabbed her coat, and stormed outside.
Into a storm. Without having taken the time to first put her coat on.
I’m an idiot.
***
At five-thirty on the dot, Cass pulled in front of Mack’s house, noting the shoveled walkway to his door. The snow had eased into a dusting of light flurries, and thank goodness the forecast called for warmer temperatures to melt it all by next week.
Before she could text him to come outside, his door opened. He locked up and soon joined her in the car, bags in hand.
He looked damn good and smelled divine. She leaned closer and sniffed. “What are you wearing?”
“It’s my natural scent of Eau de Mack.” He winked. “Wanna jump me?”
Yes.She gave him a look of indifference, which wasn’t easy. “You have the booze?”
“I do.” He glanced at the two paper bags at his feet.
“Geez, Mack. It’s one dinner. How much did you buy?”
He grinned. “Well, I brought a bottle of wine for the adults. And some beer for us and the kids.”
“What?”
“Relax. I brought a bottle of nice wine for the adults. The apple juice—in cans—is for the kids. I couldn’t decide between the ale and porter, so I got a few bottles of both for those adults who want beer.”
“Oh, nice. How much do I owe you?”
He glared at her. “Are you insulting me?”
“What?”
“I was invited to a nice dinner. Your job is to make me happy. Mine is to supply alcohol to enhance our evening.”
“Thank you.” Then she had to add, “I hadn’t realized what a big booze snob you were. I’d have been fine bringing along some Bud Light.”
He slapped his forehead. “How can you be so talented with that mouth yet can’t tell a quality beer from piss water?”
“That’s disgusting.”
“So’s Bud Light!”
