Rachel bit her lip, clearly torn. "What kind of date?"
Mac's heart leaped. That wasn't a no. "Ice skating. At my rink. Wednesday evening, if you're free."
"Ice skating?" Rachel looked skeptical. "I haven't skatedsince I was twelve."
"Perfect. Then I get to teach you." Mac grinned. "Fair warning: you're probably going to fall a lot. But I'll catch you every time."
Something shifted in Rachel's expression. Not quite trust, but maybe the beginning of it. "You're very persistent."
"Only when something matters." Mac held her gaze.
Rachel was quiet for a long moment, looking at Mac like she was trying to solve a complicated equation. Then, so softly he almost missed it: "Wednesday. Seven PM?"
Relief flooded through Mac so intensely he felt lightheaded. "Yeah. Seven PM. I'll text you the address."
"Okay." Rachel unlocked her car, then paused. "Mac? If I'm terrible at skating—"
"Then we'll be terrible together." Mac stepped back to give her space, even though every instinct screamed to stay close. "And I promise to make sure you don't get hurt."
Rachel looked at him for another beat, then nodded. "Okay. Wednesday."
"Wednesday," Mac confirmed.
"Drive safe."
"You too. When you do drive. Anywhere you drive. At all times."
"I will definitely drive at all times." Rachel laughed, shaking her head as she got in her car. "Goodbye, Mac."
"Bye, Rachel."
She pulled out of the parking spot, and Mac stood there watching until her car disappeared around the corner.
Then he stood there alone in the parking lot, grinning like an absolute idiot.
She said yes. To another date. To Wednesday.
To giving him a chance.
His phone buzzed. Jamie.
Jamie:How'd it go???
Mac:She said yes to a second date
Jamie:HELL YES! When??
Mac:Wednesday. Ice skating.
Jamie:Perfect. Romance + showing off your skills = winning strategy
Mac laughed and pocketed his phone. Then immediately pulled it back out and called Cole anyway, because this was too good not to share.
Cole answered on the first ring. "How'd it go?"
"She said yes to Wednesday. Ice skating at the rink."
"That's great, man! See? I told you being honest would work."
