“Well, I do!” As much as it killed her, Mac stepped out of his reach.
Dropping his free hand back to his side, he curled his other into a tight fist around his grandmother’s ring. Mac’s heart felt as though it was being torn to shreds when she saw the light that had filled his eyes mere seconds before vanishing.
Guess I can add breaking this incredible man’s heart to my growing list of unforgivable sins.
“Look, Sean. I care about you. More than I’ve ever cared about anyone. But you’re not thinking this through.”
“Or maybe you’re overthinking it.”
Doing her best to ignore the flat tone in his voice, Mac used every tool in her arsenal she could think of to make him understand.
“It’s bad enough we’re having to hide out here because the choices I made put you in danger. I’m sure as hell not going to bind myself to you legally, or in any other way, that will make it even easier for the bastard to find you. And actually, if wedidget married, it wouldn’t even be legal because it wouldn’t be my real name on the marriage license!”
“Don’t do that.”
She frowned. “Do what?”
“Don’t use your past or this situation as an excuse.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“Isn’t it?” He shoved the ring into his pocket. “I’m not some fragile teenage boy who can’t handle rejection, Mac. So if you don’t love me, just say it.”
“Coop. I—”
A loud ringing cut off whatever she was about to say, and though Mac hated to admit it, she was more than a little grateful for the reprieve.
He pulled his phone out. “It’s Derek.”
Saved by the ringtone.“You should probably answer it. It could be important.”
With a low curse, he greeted their teammate with a growled, “This better be good.” There was a pause before Coop muttered, “You could say that.” Another pause. “Did you need something, or…”
Mac watched and waited, her mind struggling to find a way to smooth things over with Coop. She had to find a way to make him understand.
He blinked, his brows bunching together. “Now? But she’s not due for a few more days.”
“Olivia’s in labor?” Mac whispered loudly.
Coop nodded.
Despite the incredibly complicated situation, she couldn’t help but be excited for her friend. “Tell Derek we’ll meet them at the hospital.”
“Hang on a second, D.” Coop lowered the phone to talk to her. “We’re staying here.”
“Uh, no. We’re not.”
“Yes.” His eyes lasered into hers. “We are.”
Mac shook her head. “With the exception of you, Olivia is my best friend. I have to be there when she has the baby, Coop. Besides, it’s been a week since we came back from Jersey, and there’s been no sign of danger or attempt to contact me in any way, shape, or form.”
“That’s because we’ve been holed up here. Kind of the point, remember?”
“She’s delivering at Homeland’s private hospital. What’s going to happen there?”
“Seriously? Grant’s wife was shot and nearly died at that same fucking hospital less than three months ago.”
“That was different, and you know it.”
