We pick up coffee, sandwiches, and muffins, then I look around. The cafe is pretty crowded. "Do you want to eat here? Or would you prefer to go to my place?"
"Why not to mine?"
"We can eat wherever you like. But I was thinking that since you have an apartment and I have a house, it might be easier if you just move in with me and stop paying rent. Plus, then I can make you breakfast every morning. That kind of thing."
"Mack…” She trails off, unsure.
"I'm not saying you need to move in with metoday. I’d just like to plant the thought. Then I would like that thought to grow. Everything's at your pace, okay, baby?"
Her eyes light up as she smiles. “ Sure."
17
LAYNE
Mack doesn't play games, or mess around with people.
When he told me he loved me, he was dead serious.
I glance over to drink in the casual way he sits as he drives. I love that he doesn't seem to realize how ridiculously handsome he is.
I also adored the way his eyes lit up with that special glow when he told me he loved me. What kind of a man says such a thing after just a few days?
It's crazy. It's illogical. But it's Mack, so I know he must be serious about it. This is a guy who plans ahead. Looks at every project from all angles. Speaks the truth, and doesn't take anything lightly…even though we've laughed like crazy together all weekend long.
It makes me realize something very important that I have known in my heart from the very beginning, but was too scared to admit.
When he parks in the driveway, I'm not even looking at the house, just his eyes as he turns to smile at me. "You're staring."
"Yeah. Something just occurred to me."
We get out of the car and I run around to burrow into his arms. "What is it, baby?"
Stretching up, I kiss him lightly. The warmth between us threatens to turn to heat immediately.
Mack groans. “I love your kisses, but I really need to hear what you want to tell me.”
Gazing into his deep brown eyes, the warmth I see there nearly takes my breath away. “I love you, too.”
His eyes widen, then he crushes his mouth to mine while murmuring, “I love you, baby. We’re going to be so happy.”
His palm caresses my hip and my ass, then he reluctantly stops. “We should get inside before the neighbors see us being hot as hell.”
Mack clasps my hand and I turn toward the house, seeing it properly for the first time. My mouth falls open as I gawk in disbelief. “Holy crap. What the…”
“Oh. Yeah. Old family money. That’s how I was able to move back here, buy a house, and swoop in and scoop up the agency.” He says that as if it’s the most casual thing in the world, like he felt like picking up a chocolate chip cupcake today.
“The house is gorgeous. For the record, you do remember that I said that I loved you before I saw it, right?”
He chuckles, going back to the car for our lunch before showing me inside. It’s stunning. Somehow it’s classy and comfortable at the same time. Stylish without trying too hard, with polished old wood floors and breathtaking artwork throughout.
We settle in at the lavish mahogany dining room table, and Mack grabs sticky notes, pens, and a notebook from a drawer in the marble-topped island in the kitchen. “Since you love me,” he says with a grin, “our lunch project is picking out seven rings you like.”
“Seven?”
“My lucky number.”
I wouldn’t have thought a man like Mack would have something like a lucky number. “Seven is your lucky number?” I laugh. “I was born on July seventh.”
