I tilt my head to the side. I can’t believe that was only this morning; it feels like ages ago. Warily, I watch this alpha, wondering why he’s so happy. “I did.”
“Good. Come on, Elijah and Devon are waiting for us.”
“I’m not dressed-”
“You look perfect, Secret.”
He holds out his hand. That gesture feels like he’s asking for something totally different, but I can’t find it in me to walk away from him anymore than I could turn away from him when we were teens. His voice, low, measured, and deep with such calm authority, has held all the chaotic pieces of me together. It took months before I could work up the courage to talk to him.
I reach out because I can’t help myself. It’s like part of me needs him. That calm pulls me in like the wind that brings the first hint of summer. Relief, excitement, routine. Summer is here.
“Mack, I-”
“We don’t need to discuss anything. You need to eat, and I simply want to be by your side. No stress, no strings, no drama. Just you, me, this little monster,” he pats Danger’s head, “and a good night.”
“Why? Why are you happy with just that?”
“Just that? When I haven’t been able to see you all these years, not knowing where you were, if you were safe, if you were okay. Just wanting to hear your voice? Sofia, just being with you is the miracle here. You came back and, god, all my alpha side of me wants to do is pull you into my arms, find out who hurt you, hunt them down and kill them, then come back and do everything I can to make sure that you never feel that again.”
“That was beautiful!” Kylie pretends to swoon, only for Sara to catch her as they appear from the side of the house.
Why are there always people interrupting? I let out a frustrated huff, but Mack just shakes his head, amused.
“Damn, if you don’t want him, I’ll take him,” Kylie says with a wink. “That was some sonnet, Mack.”
“Thanks,” he says and chuckles.
“Are you staying?”
“No, no. We have dinner plans, if I can convince Sofia to come with me.”
“Convince? Sofia, you would be leading the charge, what’s there to convince you? Look at him. Mack did a glow-up. He’s gorgeous; go and have fun. Youth is fleeting. Before you know it, you’ll be forty and looking back with fond memories and a distinct pain in your joints when you get up in the morning.”
“Forty isn’t old,” Mack protests.
“No, it’s not. But romance when you’re young is fun. Live. Love. Eat good food, drink great wine, stay up all night, kiss. Hold hands. Romance is a gift, and the young know how to do it right.”
I look up at Mack. He’s not looking at me, but I get lost in this strange sensation of not knowing him at all. Then he turns his head, smiles, and winks, and it’s the same Mack I dated so proudly for two days. Who held my hand everywhere we went, who told me in that quiet way of his how happy he was.
“Okay, let’s go to dinner.”
Mack grins. “I’ll take that subdued enthusiasm gratefully.”
He holds his hand out again, and this time, I don’t hesitate; I take it.
Mack leads me to his car and opens the door for me, waiting until I get in it before shutting it carefully. I absolutely do not want to admit how much that just touched me.
He drives us onto Main Street and parks in front of the café.
It’s a gorgeous little place, with wrought-iron blue chairs that have twisted metal hearts in them. Its name, The Sandy Heart, was based on an old story of a couple that moved here years ago. Her name was Sandy, and everyone called him Heart. Their love story and how they both defied their families to come out here is often talked about. They lived quiet, peacefullives and passed away decades ago, but the heart of their love story is still a part of Sunshine.
“Yolanda is keeping the café open for us, just for an extra hour.”
I glance at him sharply. “What happens after an hour?”
“Well, that depends on you.”
Yolanda smiles as he opens the door. A bell rings sweetly, and the interior is filled with warm, sweet smells of desserts. She is wearing a black apron and smiles when I come in.
