She didn't take her eyes off the road as he laughed.
“Denial is not just a river in Egypt, Macy.”
“You been sitting on that a while, waiting for just the right moment to throw it out?”
“You're just annoyed you didn't think of it first.”
“Some,” she conceded.
“I'm wounded, deep in my chest, that you think I'm average, Macy.”
She rolled her eyes again. “I think there have been more than enough women in your life that think you're not. You don't need me inflating your ego.”
“None of their opinions mattered.”
She shot him a look, and his eyes were focused on hers. Did that mean her opinion mattered? And if so, she shouldn't feel so good that it did. Lord, he was turning her inside out.
“Besides, you only have to walk out your front door here and you fall over a handsome man,” she added.
“So the women of Howling are immune?”
“Exactly.”
“The men too, no doubt. Because I've never seen so many good-looking women in one place in my life.”
“I've seen Texan women, so don't feed me that line.”
“I do believe you are fishing for a compliment, Miss Macy.”
Macy snorted. “I know my limitations. I have Annabelle and Branna as best friends.”
Macy wished she'd kept her mouth shut as she felt his eyes on the side of her face.
“Annabelle's beautiful, as is Branna, and a few of the other locals, but you… well you're something else entirely.”
“Brad, you don't…. I wasn't fishing for this.” Macy didn't know what to say. She felt embarrassed, and mortified she'd forced him to say what he had, and yet secretly, deep inside she felt a rush of pleasure. Because she'd been nurturing that small kernel inside her. The seed of hope that maybe she wasn't an ugly person. That those degrading, hate-filled words Brian had constantly thrown at her weren't true.
“You can't see that?”
“What?” She shot him a look.
“How beautiful you are. That when the sun hits your hair it comes to life. Your face is so sweet, that men literally stop in the streets and sigh when they see it. And don't get me started on your body.”
“Stop, Brad, really.”
“Most women love compliments, Macy, how come you don't?”
“I don't need them.” She waved a hand about, trying to dismiss his words.
“You are beautiful,”Jillian had told her, and she had wanted Macy to look in the mirror and tell herself those words. She'd never really mastered it. But right here and now, well, maybe she could believe the words a little bit.
She felt his fingers on her cheek. The touch was brief but it left a trail of heat.
“I've made it a study of mine, kind of a PhD you could say, in women. I know my stuff, Miss Macy, and you are one damn fine lady.”
“Whatever,” Macy mumbled, pulling into Mac's driveway, “and I'm not sure you should brag about having a PhD in women, it's not a great pickup line.”
“Just being honest, honey.”
