“How is that any different?”
Mac gave him her best puppy dog eyes, the ones thatalwaysworked on him. “Brynnon didn’t have you guarding her.”
Come on, baby blues. Don’t fail me now.
Several seconds passed before he let out another low curse and got back on the phone. “D? Tell Olivia Mac’s on her way.” He ended the call and returned the phone to his pocket.
Mac nearly squealed with joy. “Thank you.” Without thinking, she jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Normally this wouldn’t have been an issue. Given that she’d just turned down his proposal, however, the moment became awkward in the span of two seconds.
Coop stiffened, refusing to return her embrace. It was the first time that had ever happened, and Mac couldn’t stop the tears from welling in her eyes.
“Coop, I’m sorry about—”
“We should get going.” He cut her off, turning away and starting toward the house. “Go ahead and pack up all your stuff in case we end up staying in the city tonight. I’ll go tell Mom and Dad we’re leaving.”
Mac blinked away the tears threatening to fall as she followed him to the house. Leaving a safe distance between them, she silently vowed to find a way to make things right between them.
Because shedidwant everything he’d offered. The love. The life. All of it.
But until she found the person responsible for putting a target on his back, Mac knew she’d never be free to accept any of those things. She just prayed he’d still want her when this was all over.
If he didn’t, if Coop realized she wasn’t worth all of the baggage she carried with her, Mac wasn’t going to just lose the love of her life. She’d also lose her family.
