Since moving to Piñon Ridge, Mac had established a tight group of friends—young females, movers and shakers in their community, known well enough throughout Peaks County that they were sought after for collaboration on projects and outreach. The women regularly met over coffee and for dinners, wine nights, and other activities. Tonight Mac was at the Hazy Rebel with them—Cori, Kai, Emory, and Ronni.
Fortunately, all of them lived in town. Hearty dinners and craft beers had been followed up with whiskey. The plan was to drink and dance all night on the Hazy Rebel’s deck. Mac was looking forward to letting loose. It’d been a week, to say the least. Her head and heart were all tangled up.
Kai didn’t need to work tomorrow, so the willowy blonde was thoroughly enjoying herself, tossing back the first shot with gusto. Pacing herself, but still having fun, Cori monitored her intake, cutting every sip with water, never sure what parenting duties might be required overnight.
Emory rarely drank. She was usually the designated driver, but tonight they had all walked in and her role would be that of the designated voice of reason should anything look like it was going to go sideways. She downed shots of water.
Mac had opted to begin with water, finishing a few glasses while eating a roast chicken and cranberry salad while enjoying small talk with her girlfriends. She’d switch to whiskey after they moved out to the deck. Owen, a friend and one of the owners, had reserved a choice table for them.
The Hazy Rebel had transformed over the past hour, emptying out when families left, and singles and couples had drifted in, filling the bar or moving to the expansive outdoor area overlooking the Ruston River, which meandered through town. The suspended party lights came on, adding ambience and a sense of intimacy as night crept in.
Rough Riders, a regional country band that performed a combination of covers and their own material, was beginning their first set. Mac and her friends paid the cover, received their wristbands, and pushed the barstools under the high and narrow, raw-edged wood table, preferring to stand.
Kai had ordered the first round of whiskey with a water shot for Emory. They lifted their glasses.
Mac noted the two blondes who were in Intrepid a few days ago as they stood around a small round bar table in the corner. She smiled and nodded to them and received cold stares in return. Her gaze swept over her friends, feeling so much love and appreciation, and gave each of them a huge smile.
“To friendship, through thick and thin. Bottoms up!” Mac raised her shot glass, knocked against each of the others’ raised glasses, and drained it.
Cori signaled to a passing waiter with her empty shot glass. “Another round when you have time, thanks.”
Ronni’s hazel eyes bounced over the group and landed on Mac. Leaning in toward the middle of the rectangular table, with the other women doing the same so that they could better hear, she spoke above the music. “Bring us up to date on the hunk that you took out on the three-day one-on-one. I helped him at the store. G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S.” Her expression took on a merry glint. Teasing, she asked, “Isn’t that a break in your protocol, Kenna?”
“I’ve known him since high school.”
Cori wore a shit-eating grin and added. “Rather well, it seems.”
Kai glanced at Cori. “He came in for coffee a few days back. I remember him because, well, who wouldn’t? Coffee for you, Kenna. Said you needed a pick-me-up and asked if there was something… Oh yes. Something in particular you liked.” Her green eyes watched carefully.
Mac pulled at her short denim skirt and squirmed internally, feeling flustered by their interest.
Emory frowned. “Am I the only one who hasn’t seen him?”
“Must be. If you’d seen or met him, there’s no way you’d forget him. No offense to my handsome, sexy stud of a husband.” Cori giggled. Mike was a handsome bear of a man, and she was head over heels about him.
Mac looked at her hands and considered how to begin. This really wasn’t an ideal spot to lay it all at their feet.
“Does this gorgeous hunk have a name?”
“Of course he has a name,” Mac said, her smile belying the light edge to her voice, her eyes flitting to Emory’s. She didn’t miss the looks that passed rapidly from friend to friend—surprise, interest, andyou’re going to tell usexpressions. “Hardin.”
“Hardin, as in Hardin Ambrose? Oh my God! I knew it!” Ronni crowed, loudly slapping the table and drawing attention to their table. “I even said as much when he came in, but he tactfully sidestepped my comments. Damn, girl. How the hell do you know him? Spill it!”
Emory’s eyes grew huge. “The soccer player? Jesus, he’s… he’s like beautiful, Kenna.”
“Speaking of which.” Ronni sat up, ramrod straight, her eyes suddenly glued to the door that connected the deck to the Hazy Rebel.
Mac’s eyes followed Ronni’s. Hardin with another man. Another gorgeous one at that. Dark-haired, slim, tall, obviously in shape, similar to Hardin, whom she couldn’t tear her eyes away from.Jesus.
Hardin did wonders for the light blue button-down he wore, making his aqua eyes pop even more. The sleeves were rolled up, exposing sinewy forearms and his tattoos. Muscular legs extended from the striped shorts hanging casually from his lean hips. Sandals covered his feet. He spotted her immediately. An enormous smile filled his face and confidence emanated from him. Despite the thick crowd, Hardin and his companion ambled easily toward their table as gawkers parted to make room.
“Holy fuck,” Emory said, the words whooshing out.
Mac noticed Emory’s eyes were locked on the man with Hardin and his, in turn, were all over her.Uh-oh.
Hardin slid an arm around Mac’s shoulders and pulled her close, leaning down and kissing her, establishing exactly what their relationship was. “Good evening. Sorry to horn in on your girlfriend time.”
She was breathless from his kiss, daringly intimate in a public space. It was a kiss of claiming. One that announced to anyone watching,she’s mine.Fine. Two could play that game. Mac gave him a saucy smirk as her hand snaked around his neck and pulled him close. Her lips hovered over his before kissing him back, her tongue sweeping inside his mouth. Her blood simmered as he returned it.
